Texas A&M University
IN-24: Innovation A

As staff in the Department of Residence Life (DRL) participated in first Campus Master Planning (for the Built Environment) subgroups and then the Campus Sustainability Master Planning Update, Executive Director, Chareny Rydl asked staff about sustainability master planning specifically for the DRL, one of the largest university on-campus housing operations in the country. Initially, research revealed no other Residence Life department had a specific sustainability master plan; most subsumed under the larger institutional plan, if there was one. Ultimately, Residence Life engaged Ayers Saint Gross to investigate what a plan might look like and embark on the study to create one for Residence Life at Texas A&M University.

DRL was interested in celebrating or affirming the work that has already been done and progress made in sustainability as well as mapping a specific way forward. As students come to campus with a raised consciousness and expectations about sustainability, for on-campus living to remain competitive, as compared to off-campus housing, sustainability infrastructure and programming are essential.

The Texas A&M University Residence Life Sustainability Master Plan is a first nationally as far as research can tell. It is a pioneering effort. Done specifically for the department, by the same consultants (Ayers Saint Gross) who did both the campus master plan and the campus sustainability master plan update, in a progressive time frame, allowed for some synergies. The DRL, although a large auxiliary enterprise at the University, is perhaps more nimble and a microcosm for campus initiatives and shifts to the promotion of a culture of sustainability. While working on the department level master plan, issues like water conservation and recycling infrastructure caused the University level plan to be reconsidered and re-framed. While this Sustainability Master Plan for Residence Life is a living document and will serve as a guide going forward, it is not already covered by an existing STARS credit.

The Residence Life Sustainability Master Planning process was completed this most recent summer of 2018 and the final products—a report, a series of posters, a utility dashboard, and a brochure to promote sustainability as an amenity for living on-campus—are in final production stages. A formal launch took place on Campus Sustainability Day (10/24/18) and the Department of Residence Life held a Department Meeting to formally share the plan. DRL is working with department sponsored student organizations to engage students in the initiatives.