Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.20
Liaison Jessica Thompson
Submission Date June 20, 2024

STARS v2.2

Northern Michigan University
OP-4: Building Operations and Maintenance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.45 / 5.00 Jessica Thompson
AVP Sustainability
People Culture & Wellbeing
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total floor area of existing building space:
3,534,000 Square feet

Floor area of existing building space operated and maintained in accordance with a sustainable management policy/program and/or a green building rating system:
Existing floor area
Certified at the highest achievable level under a multi-attribute, Green Building Council (GBC) rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings (e.g., LEED O+M Platinum) 0 Square feet
Certified at the 2nd highest level under a 4- or 5-tier, multi-attribute, GBC rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings (e.g., LEED O+M Gold) 0 Square feet
Certified at mid-level under a 3- or 5-tier, multi-attribute, GBC rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings (e.g., BREEAM-In Use Very Good) 0 Square feet
Certified at a step above minimum level under a 4 -or 5–tier, multi-attribute, GBC rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings (e.g., LEED O+M Silver) 0 Square feet
Certified at minimum level under a multi-attribute, GBC rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings (e.g., BREEAM In-Use Pass or LEED O+M Certified) 0 Square feet
Certified at any level under a non-GBC rating system or single-attribute rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings 0 Square feet
Operated and maintained in accordance with a multi-attribute, sustainable management policy/program, but not certified under an O+M rating system 0 Square feet
Operated and maintained in accordance with a single-attribute, sustainable management policy/program, but not certified under an O+M rating system
 1,600,000 Square feet
Total 1,600,000 Square feet

Percentage of existing building space certified under a green building rating system rating system focused on the operations and maintenance of existing buildings:
0

A brief description of the sustainable operations and maintenance policy/program and/or O+M rating system(s) used:

Per the 2022 Campus Master Plan (approved by the State of Michigan), Northern Michigan University has managed all campus facilities under a custom operations and maintenance program that is based on LEED O+M. The university has embraced sustainability efforts to help reduce its environmental impact on the planet by reducing the use of fossil fuels, conserving resources, and reducing waste – a philosophy NMU has followed for over 30 years. Expanding efforts include: using green energy, continually improving facility management systems, following LEED® design and building practices to achieve Green Building certification, and changing operational and product selection policies to improve recycling and conservation efforts. By following these philosophies, NMU has been able to achieve substantial cost reductions.


Building Services has made a conscious effort to improve its impact on the natural environment and provide a cleaner and healthier environment for building occupants. Several of these initiatives are listed below:



  • No-Touch Cleaning systems are used in the restrooms. This is a multipurpose system that helps eliminate unnecessary equipment and prevents employees from contacting cleaning chemicals.

  • Backpack vacuums are certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s green label utilizing HEPA filters which reduce pollutants in buildings.

  • Window washing machines are used that employ the reverse osmosis deionizing technology. The machines produce mineral free water, which cleans windows spot free without the use of cleaning agents.

  • Aqueous Ozone is used to clean all surfaces (in 1.6 million square feet of buildings on campus) replacing 95% of the chemical cleaners previously used in those buildings. This has reduced an estimated 500 gallon bottles annually from being recycled or entering the landfill, on-site chemical inventory costs, and reduces training costs for employees. This was expanded to the sports and recreation facilities as well as the Northern Center and Northern Lights Dining in summer 2019 and to the residence halls and Woodland Park Apartments in summer 2021.

  • EcoSmart paper towel – 50% post-consumer fiber and 100% recycled fiber. This product is GreenSeal and EcoLogo certified.

  • Use of EcoSmart Compact Coreless toilet paper – 20% post-consumer recycled fiber. Utilizes 95% less packaging in their products.

  • All hand soap is GreenSeal certified


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable operations and maintenance program is available:
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.