Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.36
Liaison Shane Stennes
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
ER-15: Sustainability Research Identification

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Shane Stennes
Director of Sustainability
University Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Has the institution developed a definition of sustainability research?:
Yes

A copy of the institution's definition of sustainability research:

Seeking sustainability means seeking solutions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A sustainable perspective recognizes the conflicts and trade-offs of balancing economic growth, social equity and environmental integrity. Sustainability research focuses on the understanding of the earth's natural and human-made systems, threats to those systems, and development of new technologies and decision support tools.


Has the institution identified its sustainability research activities and initiatives?:
Yes

A brief description of the methodology the institution followed to complete the inventory:

Academics conducting research in sustainability have been identified and are listed by area of expertise on the University's Environment and Sustainability Portal (http://environment.umn.edu/forms/project_search_form.php). In addition, the Institute on the Environment and the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment have developed a database of projects they have funded (http://environment.umn.edu/forms/project_search_form.php).


Does the institution make its sustainability research inventory publicly available online?:
Yes

The website URL where the sustainability research inventory is posted (required if claiming Part 3 of the credit):
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The definition of sustainability research was developed by the Research Sub-Committee of the Twin Cities Sustainability Committee in Fall 2010. This definition augments and synthesizes other working definitions of sustainability research that are utilized in the colleges and centers across campus.


The definition of sustainability research was developed by the Research Sub-Committee of the Twin Cities Sustainability Committee in Fall 2010. This definition augments and synthesizes other working definitions of sustainability research that are utilized in the colleges and centers across campus.

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.