University of Montana
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

In the University of Montana's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan (finalized and published in fall 2023), Objective 2.1 reads "Encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching practices, classroom management, and University citizenship." Strategies identified to meet this objective include:

• Offer faculty, staff, and grdaute students professional development opportunities and other resources focused on inclusive and equitable teaching practices.
• Encourage and support faculty efforts to design curricula to be inclusive of cross-cultural/BIPOC and LGBTQ authors/thinkers, and non-western ways of knowing.
• Embed DEI criteria into Unit Standards
• In course proposal process, promote equitable teaching practices resources and encourage a commitment to equitable teaching

Each strategy has bulleted Actions and identifies the owners/accountable party. All accountable parties are convened quarterly for a progress meeting.

A second Objective (2.2) in UM's DEI plan reads: Encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion through research and creative scholarship. This objective names 3 strategies and numerous measureable actions/outcomes and the owners/accountable parties for each strategy.

UM's Priorities for Action (our version of a 'Strategic Plan'), Objective 3 reads, "Differentiate UM through an integrated curricular and co-curricular journey that emphasizes academics, service, leadership, and career preparation." One of the deliverables within this Priority is to "Develop a cross-campus effort to model civil dialogue and practice civic and democratic engagement." PFA strategies are directly tied to responsible departments and individuals with quarterly progress reporting deadlines.

UM's Priorities for Action (our version of a 'Strategic Plan'), Objective 3 reads, "Differentiate UM through an integrated curricular and co-curricular journey that emphasizes academics, service, leadership, and career preparation." One of the deliverables within this Priority is to "Develop a cross-campus effort to model civil dialogue and practice civic and democratic engagement."

UM's Climate Action Plan includes several goals to educate and engage university affiliates to reduce energy consumption, change commute behavior, and make different choices when it comes to class scheduling and field trip logistics, all with the goal of reducing emissions. 

UM's Zero Waste Plan, developed and published in spring 2024, includes Priority 1: UM has a measurable communications strategy designed to drive engagement in the Zero Waste program. Specific strategies to meet this objective include:

P1S1 - Implement a targeted educational program to improve sorting behaviors at sorting stations

P1S2 - Enhance ZW education in freshman orientation activities

P1S3 - Update and maintain UM web pages with ZW program information

P1S4 - Launch an education poster or multimedia campaign to feature new, revised, or timely elements of UM's Zero Waste program

P1S5 - Conduct ZW behavior change campaigns to address problem areas such as improper sorting, lack of participation, etc.

UM's Zero Waste strategic plan includes several measurable objectives focused on campus operations and infrastructure. Objective 3 states "UM campus infrastructure evolves to support the emergence of a ZW culture" and objective 6 reads "UM manages surplus and hard-to-recycle materials in alignment with ZW principles and best practices."

UM's Parking Management Plan calls for discontinuing the use of semester-long or annual parking permits to shift behavior, developing more student housing within the urban core and close to campus that could result in reduced emissions, and replacing fleet vehicles with EVs to reduce emissions. 

Starting in 2019, UM switched from a traditional strategic plan to a model we refer to as our "Priorities for Action." There are 5 Priorities for Action and each year a new 'playbook' is developed with objectives and strategies to address each priority. The FY25 Playbook includes the language below.

Objective 5 of our Priorities for Action reads, "Build partnerships and leverage research and economic development initiatives in response to urgent community, state, and global needs." Strategies to meet this objective include:

• Collaborate with partners to address health needs across Montana with a particular focus on mental and behavioral health
• Engage state, federal, and private partners in key research areas, e.g., AI/machine learning, human performance, cyber, biotech, health outcomes, climate, integrated environment, and autonomous systems

Priority for Action #3 is "Embody the principle of 'mission first, people always.'" Objective 8 reads: "Strengthen core infrastructure and processes to improve students' and employees' campus experiences, enhance efficiencies, and maintain safety and integrity." Objective 6 is "Attract and support employees through improved recruiting, retention, and management efforts."

UM's DEI Plan includes an extensive list of objectives and strategies to support a culture of DEI on campus. Each strategy is linked to one of the Objectives in our FY25 Playbook, linking them to other university-wide goals and objectives.

The University of Montana's mission is inclusive prosperity. Our goal is to provide a flagship education that's as all-encompassing and awe-inspiring as the Treasure State itself. To be the university that's both accessible and accountable--respected around the world, resourceful in our stewardship of the land that sustains us, and responsive here at home to all of Montana's communities and Indigenous cultures. To be a hub for unbridled curiosity and untamed creativity that's unmatched on either side of the Rockies. So that wherever Grizzlies roam, they thrive, ensuring our world's rarest treasures and greatest resources flourish and prosper today, tomorrow, and well into the future. 

This mission speaks to and reinforces sustainability in several ways: We aim to be accessible, we recognize the historic and contemporary presence of Native culture and communities, and we seek to be stewards of the land that sustains us for current and future generations.

UM is no longer a member of Second Nature. Our last annual membership expired in 2019.

The University of Montana's mission is inclusive prosperity. Our goal is to provide a flagship education that's as all-encompassing and awe-inspiring as the Treasure State itself. To be the university that's both accessible and accountable--respected around the world, resourceful in our stewardship of the land that sustains us, and responsive here at home to all of Montana's communities and Indigenous cultures. To be a hub for unbridled curiosity and untamed creativity that's unmatched on either side of the Rockies. So that wherever Grizzlies roam, they thrive, ensuring our world's rarest treasures and greatest resources flourish and prosper today, tomorrow, and well into the future. 

This mission speaks to and reinforces sustainability in several ways: We aim to be accessible, we recognize the historic and contemporary presence of Native culture and communities, and we seek to be stewards of the land that sustains us. 

The Priorities for Action are 5 guiding principles and values that pertain to all campus affiliates and operations. https://www.umt.edu/strategy/annual_playbook/default.php