STARS 1.2

University of Montana

Missoula, MT, US


Rating Score Valid Through Liaison Submitted Executive Letter
Silver - expired 49.07 March 20, 2017 Eva Rocke March 21, 2014 Download

Characteristics

Full-time Equivalent Enrollment 13,643
Number of Undergraduate Students 10,001
Number of Graduate Students 1,873
Full-time Equivalent Employees 1,580
Institution type Master
Institutional control Public
Endowment size 129,600,000
Percentage of students that are Residential 20.0
Percentage of students that are Full-time commuter Not Available
Percentage of students that are Part-time commuter Not Available
Percentage of students that are On-line only Not Available
Gross square feet of building space 3,508,439.0
Gross square feet of laboratory space Not Available
Acres of cultivated grounds 50.0
Acres of undeveloped land Not Available
Climate region Cold

Campus Features

Feature Is Present? Is Included in Report
Agricultural School No No
Medical School No No
Pharmacy School Yes Yes
Public Health Yes Yes
Veterinary School No No
Satellite Yes Yes
Hospital No No
Farm Yes Yes
Agricultural experiment station No No

The University of Montana rocks in co-curricular education! Achieving all points available in this category, UM sets the standard in the region for student engagement in sustainability, from peer-to-peer education to themed housing.

Credit Status
Student Sustainability Educators Program Complete
Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign Complete
Sustainability in New Student Orientation Complete
Sustainability Outreach and Publications Complete
Student Group Complete
Organic Garden Complete
Model Room in a Residence Hall Complete
Themed Housing Complete
Sustainable Enterprise Complete
Sustainability Events Complete
Outdoors Program Complete
Themed Semester or Year Complete
The University of Montana has several outstanding educational programs addressing sustainability. The Climate Change Studies minor is one of the first of its kind in the nation offered to all students. The recently approved Sustainable … read more
Credit Status
Sustainability Course Identification Complete
Sustainability-Focused Courses Complete
Sustainability-Related Courses Complete
Sustainability Courses by Department Complete
Sustainability Learning Outcomes Complete
Undergraduate Program in Sustainability Complete
Graduate Program in Sustainability Complete
Sustainability Immersive Experience Complete
Sustainability Literacy Assessment Not Pursuing
Incentives for Developing Sustainability Courses Complete
One of UM's most notable sustainability-related researchers is Nobel Laureate Dr. Steve Running. Dr Running won the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Al Gore, for his work as lead author for the 4th Assessment of … read more
Credit Status
Sustainability Research Identification Complete
Faculty Engaged in Sustainability Research Complete
Departments Engaged in Sustainability Research Complete
Sustainability Research Incentives Not Pursuing
Interdisciplinary Research in Tenure and Promotion Not Pursuing

UM is improving the sustainability performance of buildings by retaining a full-time Energy Manager, inplementing real-time energy metering, completing energy efficiency retrofits, and requiring all new buidlings be LEED certified.

Credit Status
Building Operations and Maintenance Complete
Building Design and Construction Complete
Indoor Air Quality Complete
UM has accomplished real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, albeit slightly. This trend is due primarily to energy efficiency and attention to energy consumption. To break from ever increasing emissions to a downward trend is … read more
Credit Status
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Complete
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Complete
Air Travel Emissions Complete
Local Offsets Program Not Pursuing
UM's Dining Services has a nationally recognized, award-winning sustainable food system. Farm to College sources food locally and was initiated by students. This innovative program has been used as a model for universities across the … read more
Credit Status
Food and Beverage Purchasing Complete
Trayless Dining Complete
Vegan Dining Complete
Trans-Fats Complete
Guidelines for Franchisees Complete
Pre-Consumer Food Waste Composting Complete
PostConsumer Food Waste Composting Complete
Food Donation Complete
Recycled Content Napkins Complete
Reusable Container Discounts Complete
Reusable To-Go Containers Complete
UM is reducing its energy consumption through efficiency and conservation as well as investigating sources of renewable energy. UM has utilized efficient groundwater cooling for many years. With renewed focus on energy use, further reductions … read more
Credit Status
Building Energy Consumption Complete
Clean and Renewable Energy Complete
Timers for Temperature Control Complete
Lighting Sensors Complete
LED Lighting Complete
Vending Machine Sensors Complete
Energy Management System Complete
Energy Metering Complete

The University of Montana maintains its grounds with sustainability in mind as much as possible. Crews have reduced the amount of fertilizer and water used and conserve resources whenever they can.

Credit Status
Integrated Pest Management Complete
Native Plants Complete
Wildlife Habitat Complete
Tree Campus USA Complete
Snow and Ice Removal Not Pursuing
Landscape Waste Composting Complete

UM has a campus-wide Green Cleaning policy that encourages innovation by custodial staff.

Credit Status
Computer Purchasing Not Pursuing
Cleaning Products Purchasing Complete
Office Paper Purchasing Not Pursuing
Vendor Code of Conduct Complete
Historically Underutilized Businesses Complete
Local Businesses Complete

The Associated Students of the University of Montana operate the outstanding Office of Transportation that provides free bus rides to students, rental bikes, community connections, and incentives.

Credit Status
Campus Fleet Complete
Student Commute Modal Split Complete
Employee Commute Modal Split Complete
Bicycle Sharing Complete
Facilities for Bicyclists Complete
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Complete
Mass Transit Programs Complete
Condensed Work Week Complete
Telecommuting Complete
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Complete
Cash-out of Parking Complete
Carpool Discount Complete
Local Housing Not Pursuing
Prohibiting Idling Not Pursuing
Car Sharing Complete
UM is reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting its waste and has goals to increase the rate of diversion. Students fund the campus recycling program and work to improve recycling on campus and in the community. read more
Credit Status
Waste Reduction Complete
Waste Diversion Complete
Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion Complete
Electronic Waste Recycling Program Complete
Hazardous Waste Management Complete
Materials Exchange Complete
Limiting Printing Complete
Materials Online Complete
Chemical Reuse Inventory Not Pursuing
Move-In Waste Reduction Complete
Move-Out Waste Reduction Complete

UM has a stormwater management plan in place to protect the area's vast groundwater resources.

Credit Status
Water Consumption Complete
Stormwater Management Complete
Waterless Urinals Complete
Building Water Metering Complete
Non-Potable Water Usage Complete
Xeriscaping Complete
Weather-Informed Irrigation Complete

Sustainability is one of four core values in UM's strategic plan, pointing to a high level commitment. UM also has had a formally adopted Climate Action Plan since 2010.

Credit Status
Sustainability Coordination Complete
Strategic Plan Complete
Physical Campus Plan Not Pursuing
Sustainability Plan Not Pursuing
Climate Action Plan Complete

Diversity, another core value expressed in the University's strategic plan, is an area where UM shines. Achieving almost all credits available in STARS shows the campus commitment to environmental and social justice.

Credit Status
Diversity and Equity Coordination Complete
Measuring Campus Diversity Culture Complete
Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups Complete
Support Programs for Future Faculty Complete
Affordability and Access Programs Complete
Gender Neutral Housing Not Pursuing
Employee Training Opportunities Complete
Student Training Opportunities Complete
UM has incorporated sustainability in many of its human resouces programs. After learning about STARS, staff included sustainability in staff development and new employee orientation. Individual initiative such as this is what makes a big … read more
Credit Status
Sustainable Compensation Not Pursuing
Employee Satisfaction Evaluation Complete
Staff Professional Development in Sustainability Complete
Sustainability in New Employee Orientation Complete
Employee Sustainability Educators Program Not Pursuing
Childcare Complete
Employee Wellness Program Complete
Socially Responsible Retirement Plan Complete

The University of Montana has limited involvement in investment decisions that promote sustainability. That could soon change with efforts to advocate for the divestment in fossil fuels.

Credit Status
Committee on Investor Responsibility Not Pursuing
Shareholder Advocacy Not Pursuing
Positive Sustainability Investments Not Pursuing
Student-Managed Sustainable Investment Fund Complete
Sustainable Investment Policy Not Pursuing
Investment Disclosure Complete
UM is very involved in community service, public engagement, and partnerships. The recently developed Missoula Area Sustainability Collaborative is a partnership between UM, the City of Missoula, USDA Forest Service, and the public school system. … read more
Credit Status
Community Sustainability Partnerships Complete
Inter-Campus Collaboration on Sustainability Complete
Sustainability in Continuing Education Complete
Community Service Participation Complete
Community Service Hours Complete
Sustainability Policy Advocacy Complete
Trademark Licensing Complete
Graduation Pledge Not Pursuing
Community Service on Transcripts Complete
Farmers' Market Not Pursuing
Credit Status
Innovation 1 Not Pursuing
Innovation 2 Not Pursuing
Innovation 3 Not Pursuing
Innovation 4 Not Pursuing
Credit Status
New Student Orientation Not Pursuing
Food Education Not Pursuing
Food and Beverage Purchases Not Pursuing
Confinement-Free Food Purchases Not Pursuing
Vegetarian-Fed Food Purchases Not Pursuing
Hormone-Free Food Purchases Not Pursuing
Seafood Purchases Not Pursuing
Dishware Not Pursuing
Energy Initiatives Not Pursuing
Energy Use by Type Complete
Procurement Not Pursuing
Bike Sharing Not Pursuing
Water Initiatives Not Pursuing
Endowment Not Pursuing
Sustainability Staffing Not Pursuing

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.