STARS 2.1

University of Montana

Missoula, MT, US


Rating Score Valid Through Liaison Submitted Executive Letter
Bronze - expired 42.13 Dec. 26, 2020 Eva Rocke June 30, 2017 Download
Curriculum
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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
Academic Courses Complete
Learning Outcomes Complete
Undergraduate Program Complete
Graduate Program Complete
Immersive Experience Complete
Sustainability Literacy Assessment Not Pursuing
Incentives for Developing Courses Complete
Campus as a Living Laboratory Complete
Research
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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
Research and Scholarship Complete
Support for Research Complete
Open Access to Research Complete
Campus Engagement
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The University of Montana's strongest reporting areas in STARS are related to co-curricular education and engagement. Our beautiful natural surroundings, strong sense of community, and nationally-recognized academic programs that support sustainability literacy contribute to a … read more
Credit Status
Student Educators Program Complete
Student Orientation Complete
Student Life Complete
Outreach Materials and Publications Complete
Outreach Campaign Complete
Assessing Sustainability Culture Complete
Employee Educators Program Not Pursuing
Employee Orientation Complete
Staff Professional Development Complete
Public Engagement
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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 Partnerships Complete
Inter-Campus Collaboration Complete
Continuing Education Complete
Community Service Complete
Participation in Public Policy Complete
Trademark Licensing Complete
Air & Climate
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UM has accomplished real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions according to our 2014/2015 GHG emissions inventory. Our first interim reduction goal was to reduce emissions 10% below our 2007 baseline levels. We met our goal … read more
Credit Status
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Complete
Outdoor Air Quality Not Pursuing
Buildings
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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
Energy
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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
Food & Dining
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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 Not Pursuing
Sustainable Dining Not Pursuing
Grounds
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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
Landscape Management Complete
Biodiversity Complete
Purchasing
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UM has a campus-wide Green Cleaning policy that encourages innovation by custodial staff.

Credit Status
Sustainable Procurement Complete
Electronics Purchasing Not Pursuing
Cleaning and Janitorial Purchasing Complete
Office Paper Purchasing Not Pursuing
Transportation
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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
Support for Sustainable Transportation Complete
Waste
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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 Minimization and Diversion Complete
Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion Complete
Hazardous Waste Management Complete
Water
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Credit Status
Water Use Not Pursuing
Rainwater Management Complete
Coordination & Planning
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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
Sustainability Planning Not Pursuing
Participatory Governance Complete
Diversity & Affordability
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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
Assessing Diversity and Equity Not Pursuing
Support for Underrepresented Groups Complete
Affordability and Access Complete
Investment & Finance
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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 Complete
Sustainable Investment Not Pursuing
Investment Disclosure Complete
Wellbeing & Work
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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
Employee Compensation Complete
Assessing Employee Satisfaction Not Pursuing
Wellness Program Complete
Workplace Health and Safety 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.