Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.04
Liaison Troy Goodnough
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Minnesota, Morris
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 3.00 Troy Goodnough
Sustainability Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:

The U of M has a sustainability policy which directly addresses these concerns.

http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf

It is the policy of the University of Minnesota that all projects contracted for the University shall comply with the prevailing wage requirements of Minn. Stat. § 177.41-177.43. This requirement shall apply regardless of the source of funding.

http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/WageRates.pdf

+ Date Revised: Jan. 19, 2016


Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:

The Regents policy discussed LCA for the U of M.

The policy for the entire University of Minnesota is applied practice Life Cycle Cost Analysis. Life-cycle cost analysis is a tool to determine the most cost-effective option among different competing alternatives to purchase, own, operate, maintain and, finally, dispose of an object or process. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is an important economic analysis used in the selection of alternatives that impact both pending and future costs. It compares initial investment options and identifies the least cost alternatives for the estimated life of the asset.

http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:

In addition to the Regents policy, we have a green cleaning policy that includes a focus on chemical sensitivity.
https://facilities.morris.umn.edu/custodial
http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

In addition to the Regents policy, U of M campuses, including UMM need to conform with State of Minnesota B3 building standards, which include guidance on construction and renovation.

https://www.b3mn.org/guidelines/
http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:

UMM Information Technology is dedicated to providing sustainable technology whenever possible. In addition to compliance with the Regents policy, all UMM Information Technology standard configurations are EPEAT Gold rated products.
http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:

Our campus coffee shop, convenience store and vending are all supplied by our food services provides (Sodexo). We have a set of sustainability criteria (mostly modeled off of AASHE STARS critieria) established in our contract language. Our selection of a food service provider is contingent on meeting this sustainability criteria as part of the contract/renewal process.

For example, we state that our contractor must work with UMM to help minimize food and dining waste by demonstrating that it:

1. Participates in a competition or commitment program (e.g. U.S. EPA Food Recovery
Challenge) and/or uses a food waste prevention system (e.g. LeanPath) to track and
improve its food management practices;
2. Has implemented trayless dining (in which trays are removed from or not available in
dining halls) and/or modified menus/portions to reduce post­consumer food waste;
3. Donates food that would otherwise go to waste to feed people;
4. Diverts food materials from the landfill, incinerator or sewer for animal feed or industrial
uses (e.g. converting cooking oil to fuel, on­site anaerobic digestion);
5. Has a pre­consumer composting program;
6. Has a post­consumer composting program;
7. Utilizes reusable service ware for “dine in” meals;
8. Provides reusable and/or third party certified compostable containers and service ware
for “to­go” meals (in conjunction with an on­site composting program);
9. Offers discounts or other incentives to customers who use reusable containers (e.g.
mugs) instead of disposable or compostable containers in “to--go” food service
operations;
10. Other materials management initiatives to minimize waste not covered above (e.g.
working with vendors and other entities to reduce waste from food packaging).


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:

UMM has its own standard operating practices and procedures. Below is our internal standard operating practice with regard to fleet vehicle purchasing:
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Vehicle fleet purchasing (UMM standard operating practice)

UMM is allowed to purchase vehicles that are part of the State of Minnesota state contract. When selecting vehicles from the state contract, UMM will purchase the most efficient vehicle in its specific class. It is our campus preference to select a hybrid or fully-electric option that will meet our needs and economic constraints. We will also consider the life-cycle cost of the vehicle -- consistent with the U of M Board of Regents Policy/Sustainability and Energy Efficiency.

Furthermore, each campus is directed to set objectives in transportation and purchasing in Section III, Subdivision 2 (c), and (d) of the Regents Policy referenced above.

http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf

For example: If we need to purchase a 7 passenger-van, UMM will select the van from the State of Minnesota contract that has the best overall fuel economy.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.