| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.05 |
| Liaison | Jessica Thompson |
| Submission Date | Feb. 15, 2023 |
Northern Michigan University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jessica
Thompson Professor/SAC Co-Chair Business |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Active student groups include: Conservation Crew, Environmental & Conservation Law Club, Hoop House, EcoReps, Fisheries and Wildlife Association, and Northern Climate Network, Citizens Climate Lobby
These groups do many things, including (1) exploring lifestyles, life choices, education, and careers in line with these practices; (2) grassroots activism on campus and within our community; and (3) organizing and attending functions designed to create awareness for the necessity of sustainable living; (3) promote climate policies on campus; (4) organize community events.
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The Northern Michigan University (NMU) Hoop House serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The NMU Hoop House produces and donates sustainably grown produce. This hoop house employs and is operated by NMU students. It serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.
NMU students also manage the Climbers Cooperative in town, which is open to students and community members who are interested in permaculture and sustainable living.
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
At the budget meeting in the summer of 2020, the Board of Trustees approved the Green Fund. The first tuition bill that included the $5 opt-out fee was in the Fall of 2020. The first Green Fund proposal was submitted in September 2020. When that proposal arrived, there was no protocol for selecting and funding projects. Thus, the President’s Council quickly put together guidelines for the EcoReps and the President’s Sustainability Advisory Council to review and submit proposals, to be approved by the President’s Council. As of Fall 2022, the process is as follows:
Green Fund Fee Process
Northern’s newly instituted Green Fund Fee will generate about $50,000 per year for sustainability efforts. The following process has been approved for the annual management of the fee.
Funding Process
Step 1: EcoReps will develop proposals for the Green Fund Fee, understanding that all costs related to the operations of EcoReps and all sustainability efforts must not exceed $50,000 annually unless carry-forward funds are available from previous years. Each proposal must be presented in a 1-3 page concept paper, including any known timeline and budget elements. The paper must explain how the sustainability project/initiative supports NMU's mission, vision, core values and/or strategic plan, and it must provide information on how it benefits current or future NMU students and the long-term sustainability of the university. To clarify, a proposal requesting funds to support operations of EcoReps should be submitted separately from proposals for specific projects.
Step 2: The EcoReps’ Green Fund Fee proposals would go to the NMU Sustainability Advisory Council, which has student, faculty, staff, administration and community representation. The Council would review the proposals, add additional commentary (more information on timeline, costs, benefits, etc.) and prioritize the projects, initiatives, and operations in a funding recommendation that would go to the President’s Executive Council.
Step 3: Prior to submission to the President’s Executive Council, the funding recommendations will be provided to the VP Finance office for initial review, and the recommendations may be sent back with questions or comments related to the budgets.
Step 4: The President’s Executive Council would review the Sustainability Advisory Council's recommendation of priorities and approve it or send it back with questions or comments.
Step 5: Some aspects of a Green Fund Fee recommendation may need Board of Trustees approval, but most will be university operations and not need BOT approval. However, the BOT will be kept informed of the sustainability efforts.
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
The Northern Climate Network is a campus-wide consortium providing opportunties for faculty, staff, students and community members to discuss and learn about climate change in our region. As of 2020, we have more than 150 members representing 35 different departments and the Marquette community. Interests include community ethics and policy, education and communication, and solutions/alternative energy.
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
The Devos Art Museum at NMU frequently features exhibits which relate to some aspect of sustainability. Examples include shows on local endangered wildflower weaving. Forest Roberts theater - Co/Lab performance - What We Leave Behind (https://www.nmu.edu/forestrobertstheatre/what-we-leave-behind-addressing-climate-change). Great Lakes Cycle art + biology resources (https://www.nmu.edu/biology/great-lakes-cycle). Cultural installations in Whitman Hall, Info from Kristen on Devos Art Museum, including Surviving the Anthropocene,
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The Outdoor Rec Center organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and other outings for NMU students. These activities are guided/led by students who have taken a variety of Leave No Trace courses. See below for more information on NMU's Outdoor Rec Center and offerings:
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
In 2020, the University's Diversity Common Reader selection was: Southside Buddhist by Ira Sukrungruang. Programming across campus related to themes of sustainability/equity/environment/justice/mental health as evident in Sukrungruang's book. In Southside Buddhist, Sukrungruang explores Chicago streets, treks Southern Illinois forests, wrestles with his ever-expanding body, and contemplates the complexities of Thai immigrant life. He finds solace with his imaginary friend, Buddha; causes mischief with the boys in his working-class neighborhood; battles depression and suicide; and marries the whitest woman in the world, who teaches him to appreciate a world blessed by the absence of concrete, skyscrapers, and noise. This book navigates the tricky terrains of urban and rural life with increasing awareness of what it means to be an immigrant son.
Campus-wide programming included invited speakers and reading circles organized to explore sustainability-related themes. In addition, the annual United Conference included themes of sustainability, economic and social justice (https://www.nmu.edu/united/)
And in 2020, NMU's Sustainability Week was a collaboration with Indigenous People's Day and included several events that were co-hosted with social justice organizations on campus (https://news.nmu.edu/nmu-sustainability-week-oct-12-16) and included sessions linked to the themes in the Diversity Common Reader book - Southside Buddhist
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
https://nmu.edu/sustainablenmu/aroundcampus#carbon
Every semester EcoReps hosts training for residential assistants in dorms to promote sustainable life skills such as waste reduction, composting, mending clothes, energy conservation, and more. EcoReps also organize Sustainability Week (campus-wide) workshops and Unplug Week (residence hall energy conservation competition) workshops.
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
SHINE (Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment) the NMU Hoop House and the NMU Outdoor Learning Area employ student interns and supervisors who oversee the operations & maintenance of the areas in addition to coordinating student worker/volunteer scheduling and involvement.
The NMU Hoop House serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.
The goal of the NMU Outdoor Learning Area is to maintain and develop sustainably designed green spaces for academic and recreational experiences on campus.
https://nmu.edu/shine/
https://nmu.edu/sustainablenmu/nmu-hoop-house
https://nmu.edu/sustainablenmu/outdoor-learning-area
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.