University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan establishes the following goals: increase the number of university graduates who have developed a basic understanding of sustainability and are environmentally literate and to increase the number of academic programs related to sustainability and to develop and support programs that focus on research related to sustainability.

Strategies: 1) Analyze existing courses and curriculum in all disciplines to ascertain existing knowledge and content for sustainability. 2) Revise/refine existing course content to ensure integration of sustainability knowledge and content. 3) Incorporate literacy on environmental and sustainability issues into the educational program of all undergraduate students. 4) Create a web page that has information about how other campuses have integrated sustainability into their courses, departmental curriculum and liberal arts requirements. 5) Offer ongoing faculty development opportunities that assist faculty from a wide range of disciplines in integrating sustainability into courses. 6) Encourage departments to add a sustainability component in the respective departmental curriculum. 7) Develop a faculty development program that encourages faculty to infuse sustainability into their teaching. 8) Develop a plan to hire new faculty in a broad range of disciplines with interest and expertise in sustainability. 9) Support academic program development of student learning opportunities in areas related to sustainability. 10) Develop an undergraduate degree, or minor, or area of concentration in sustainability. 11) Develop an interdisciplinary Ph.D. minor or concentration in sustainability. 12) Develop a fellowship program to fund graduate and post-doctoral students in areas related to sustainability. 13) Develop a student sustainability scholarship award for exemplary undergraduate and graduate research that focuses on sustainability. 14) Develop interdepartmental and cross-school affiliations among faculty who conduct research related to sustainability. 15) Develop mechanisms to assist faculty in obtaining external funding. 16) Develop incentives to foster interdisciplinary research collaborations. 17) Develop a mentoring program for junior faulty to support interdisciplinary and transnational sustainability related research. 18) Consider an interdisciplinary center that could support formal graduate programs and PhD minors in sustainability. 19) All the sustainability related academic programs added to the curriculum and the programs developed to focus on the research related to sustainability are measured using the STARS reporting tool.

Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs 1201 W. University Drive SSBL 5.104 Edinburg, Texas 78539 provost@utpa.edu 956/665-2111 956/665/2114 fax

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan establishes the following goal: create a rich and engaging research environment that integrates sustainability into the research activities.

Strategies: 1) Provide seed funding as a special reserved allocation of programs, such as a “Faculty Research Support Program” or a “Multidisciplinary Ventures Fund.” 2) Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations; foster local interdisciplinary research collaborations; foster external/ international interdisciplinary research collaborations. 3) Provide administrative support to obtain and manage grants that relate to sustainability. 4) Encourage participation in multidisciplinary grant proposals, especially those that would not necessarily otherwise be available to individual single disciplinary researchers. 5) Mentor junior faculty: create mentoring programs for junior faculty that support interdisciplinary and transformational research. 6) Establish metrics of success and evaluation: establish metrics of success; evaluate and report on performance in terms of these metrics.

Office of Research Research & Innovation Building 1.106 The University of Texas-Pan American 1201 W. University Drive Edinburg, TX 78539-2999 Phone: (956) 665-2889 Fax: (956) 665-2940 Email: research@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan has the following goals: 1) Increase student awareness of sustainability and sustainable lifestyles through development of programs for students living in resident halls. 2) Increase collaboration and support of co-curricular educational activities that integrate sustainability among students, staff, and faculty members through promotional efforts. 3)Develop student leadership in sustainability with support of staff, faculty, and community members through training and activities.

Strategies: 1) Develop sustainability programs for residence hall community advisers to coordinate, such as reducing solid waste generated during move-in and move-out days. 2) Cultivate close relationship with Academics and New Student Services to suggest including sustainability in first-year experience and orientation. 3) Integrate competitions focused on sustainability among campus groups and with other institutions, such as the EPA’s Recycle Mania program. 4) Develop internship program specifically related to sustainability, including both on and off campus, to be coordinated with Career Services. 5) Develop campus-wide projects focused on sustainability and coordinated through the community service coordinator. These projects can include established community service programs such as “Make a Difference Day” and “United to Serve.” 6) Develop dynamic sustainability website through the Office for Sustainability to instill awareness of responsibility as global citizens. 7) Create a message of sustainability to be integrated into all university conference programs. 8) Promote plans for “greening the event” in all matters; i.e., recycling, dining/catering, communication, transportation, energy conservation, water conservation, etc. 9) Integrate sustainability as a part of planning conferences. 10) Increase visibility of sustainability by promoting Eco-speakers, Eco-films, and Earth Day activities. 11) Support interdisciplinary participation among faculty, staff, and students in environmental, social, and economic research related to sustainability. 12) Support problem solving, artistic expression, and communication related to sustainability among faculty, staff, and students. 13) Train residential staff to develop residence hall sustainability programs such as recycling and Eco-Reps Leader Program. 14) Assist Office for Sustainability with nominations of Student Green Heroes of the Month. 15) Promote sustainability practices among the university community through activities such as the Green Pledge, a Living Green Guide, recycling programs, and other projects.

The University of Texas-Pan American Office for Student Involvement University Center, Room 205 Phone:(956) 665-2660 Fax: (956) 665-2661

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan goals include: 1) Strengthen integration of sustainability message into established University community-based outreach events. 2) Increase University’s profile as a community leader in sustainability through establishment of outreach event on campus promoting sustainability.

Strategies: 1) Implement sustainability outreach educational programs, starting with 10% and leading up to 90%. 2) Track and record data on sustainability efforts of students targeted in outreach programs.

Cristina Trejo Community Engagement Liaison Office of the VP for Business Affairs SSBL 5101 Dept. 956-665-2121 trejoca@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Action Plan goal is to create a 50% carbon neutral campus by 2030, to create an inventory campus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, developing targets to reduce those emissions, and proposing a timeline to achieve carbon-neutrality.

Strategies: 1. Identify, assess, and incorporate biomass, biofuels, solar power and carbon capture/sequestration on campus while purchasing wind power or other renewable energy credits (REC’s) from distant locations. 2. Move toward carbon neutrality by reducing the GHG emission rate at the following schedule: a) 10% in five years, with major conservation, supplemented by REC’s. b) 20% in 10 years, using all technologies, but only moderate use of REC’s. 50% in 20 years, using all technologies, but only moderate use of REC’s. c) 50% in 20 years, using all technologies, but only moderate use of REC’s.

Environmental Health & Safety Academic Support Facilities Complex (ASFC) 1201 W. University Drive Edinburg, Texas 78539-2999 (956) 665-3690 Office (956) 665-2699 Fax

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan has the following goals: 1) Minimize the growth of future energy needs by utilizing sustainable buildings in new construction, renovation, and maintenance. 2) Apply sustainable measures by following LEED guidelines to all new construction as well as renovation, remodeling, and infrastructure improvement projects. 3) Reduce construction waste by 25% by 2015-2020 via collaboration and open communication with entities involved in project. 4) Coordinate Facilities, Planning & Construction sustainable practices with other related local and regional entities and departments. This goal will be measured annually or biannually, through documentation of procedures.

Strategies: 1) Specify all new buildings to follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. 2) Specify all new buildings to be built to meet or exceed energy code standards. 3) Incorporate all new campus buildings into the Thermal Energy Plant’s energy management system. 4) Evaluate project renovations and new building constructions items such as energy- efficient lighting systems, and energy-efficient cooling and heating systems. 5) Include energy efficient methods in replacement/ maintenance policies and procedures (i.e., energy efficient windows, green roofs, convert/replace energy inefficient facility HVAC systems, insulation). 6) Develop and use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, for alternative energy needs to power buildings, machinery, vehicles. (Could be as simple as an on demand water heater to solar powered water heater.) 7) Install utility metering for electricity, water, and chill water on each project. 8) Ensure project budgets include necessary resources and budget needed to integrate sustainability requirements as established by the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). 9) Make life cycle cost analysis standard practice, recognizing the importance of long-term operations, maintenance, and total cost of ownership of facilities. 10) Utilize life cycle analysis in materials and equipment selection for all projects. 11) Utilize energy efficient and sustainable design standards on all new construction projects, meeting or exceeding LEED Silver (or similar) guidelines. The energy-efficient design and construction principles of ASHRAE 90.1 as established by the SECO will apply, as a minimum. 12) Implement sustainable measures and equipment as appropriate. 13) Request data on construction waste from individual or entity responsible. 14) Salvage, recycle, and reuse materials and equipment as appropriate to support goal. 15) Conduct coordination meetings with Maintenance & Operations, Environmental Health & Safety, and University Police Department. 16) Prepare “Lesson Learned” document, which will discuss successes and failures in our sustainability efforts. 17) Develop and maintain sufficient outreach efforts to educate community on sustainability Lessons Learned. 18) Participate in the performance contract audit to acquire and use sufficient energy data to make Facilities sustainable efforts, planning, and decision making understandable to community. Use Energy Utilization Index (EUI) as metric to gauge reductions in GHG and gains in energy efficiency. The EUI is the amount of energy consumed per square foot per year in a building measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). A EUI baseline will be established for each building and building type at University.

Marta Salinas-Hovar Asst Dir Project Planning and Management Facilities Management ASFC 143 Dept. 956-665-2770 Office. 956-665-7304 salinashovarm@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Action Plan goals include: 1) Teach students how to manage their food consumption habits with educational materials. Goal will be measured through distribution of the materials. 2) Reduce waste (food, plastic, paper, cardboard, and oil) through implementation of recycling programs and composting. 3) Implement sustainability into purchasing policies of Dining Services by supporting companies who practice sustainability.

Strategies: 1) Print and distribute literature to students explaining why Dining Hall no longer uses trays (eating less, reducing water and energy consumption, etc.). 2) Measure amount of all types of waste produced by Dining Services, and plot on a large graph. 3) Implement “Weigh the Waste” program. Place signage around the residence Dining Hall explaining the program—how it helps the environment and how each student can support it. 4) Use signage indicating that all food products should be thrown away before dishes are placed on the conveyor belt; two trash cans in front of the conveyor belt will be used for food waste collection. 5) Explore possibility of composting food waste with Sodexo and/or City of Edinburg. 6) Eliminate use of plastic bags in the Student Union and cafeteria. 7) Encourage use of reusable coffee mugs by offering discounts for those mugs as well as coffee bought with them. 8) Promote usage of 100% recycled packaging content of food containers by Sodexo. 9) Implement usage of the new cardboard compactor managed by the City of McAllen. 10) Continue to have used oil reused/recycled by Griffin Industries. 11) Purchase products from manufacturing companies who use environmentally friendly practices and chemicals. 12) Encourage current suppliers to get our products from within a 150-mile radius. 13) Continue to choose manufacturing partners who supply us with materials that are made from 100% recyclable and recycled materials. 14) Maintain open door policy, where new information on suppliers is revised. 15) Promote our sustainable efforts within our dining hall and retail operations.

Leticia Benavides Director, Auxiliary Services 956.665.2255 ASB 1.102 J benavides@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan include following goals: 1) Minimize the growth of future energy needs by utilizing sustainable buildings in new construction, renovation, and maintenance. 2) Create a 50% carbon neutral campus by 2030.

Strategies: 1) Specify all new buildings to follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. 2) Specify all new buildings to be built to meet or exceed energy code standards. 3) Incorporate all new Campus buildings into the Thermal Energy Plant’s energy management system. 4) Evaluate project renovations and new building constructions items such as energy- efficient lighting systems, and energy-efficient cooling and heating systems. 5) Include energy efficient methods in replacement/ maintenance policies and procedures (i.e., energy efficient windows, green roofs, convert/replace energy inefficient facility HVAC systems, insulation). 6) Develop and use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, for alternative energy needs to power buildings, machinery, vehicles. (Could be as simple as an on-demand water heater to solar powered water heater.) 7) Identify, assess, and incorporate biomass, biofuels, solar power and carbon capture/sequestration on campus while purchasing wind power or other renewable energy credits (REC’s) from distant locations. 8) Move toward carbon neutrality by reducing the GHG emission rate at the following schedule: The Office for Sustainability 19. 8a. 10% in five years, with major conservation, supplemented by REC’s. 8b. 20% in 10 years, using all technologies, but only moderate use of REC’s. 50% in 20 years, using all technologies, but only moderate use of REC’s.

Marta Salinas-Hovar Asst Dir Project Planning and Management Facilities Management ASFC 143 Dept. 956-665-2770 Office. 956-665-7304 salinashovarm@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan include following goals: 1) Implement planning and design strategies on all new construction for a sustainable landscape. 2) Ensure sustainable practices (i.e. water conservation) on existing landscapes through replacement of plant material and redesign strategies. 3) Implement sustainable strategies into the maintenance and operations of landscape and grounds.

Strategies: 1. Review master plans in order to consider applicable changes design. 2. Review landscape and irrigation plans at the design phase. 3. Compile a list of acceptable native/ native-adaptive plant material to use in new designs. 4. Review plans for proper selection of plant materials which are conducive toward low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant landscapes; increase the number of native shrubs and trees. 5. Minimize the number of flower beds in landscape designs which require a larger watering requirement; select flowering ground covers, shrubs and trees. 6) Implement bio-swales in new construction and parking lot designs. 7) Partner with local forester to review designs. 8) Create strategy to minimize the number and size of flower beds which consume large volumes of water. 9) Schedule a replacement cycle for non-sustainable plant materials with those which support heat and drought tolerant designs. 10) Establish budget to support replacement cycle. 11) Reduce the number of existing flower beds and implement replacement cycle for sustainable plant material. 12) Replace carpet grasses and appropriate flower beds with Bermuda hybrids in order to minimize water requirements. Strategy shall be applied when applicable. 13) Develop strategy to sustain Maintenance & Operations operating budget by applying sustainable practices. 14) Train grounds staff on information related to sustainability principals as it relates to Landscapes & Grounds, change of culture, and implementation of strategies, with consideration of current budget reduction in travel funds. 15) Consider changing the mowing cycle of lawns to reduce maintenance of equipment such as mowers and light duty equipment. 16) Reduce disposal of yard waste in landfill by converting to compost and mulch. 17) Review and assess list of chemical herbicides/ pesticides, select and implement alternative measures which would be safer for the environment. 18) Develop an irrigation maintenance program to allow consistent auditing of systems. 19) Develop a composting that allows for recycling of vegetative waste. Resultant compost and mulch can be used on landscaped beds and grounds. 20) Create position of Sustainable Practices Coordinator for grounds crew.

Oscar Villarreal Dir of Facilities Management ASFC 111 Dept. 956-665-2770 Office. 956-665-2777 oscar@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan goal is to promote sustainability in university and community by strategic purchasing.

Strategies: 1) Assess, calculate, and track energy consumption and waste of university in terms of purchasing. 2) Incorporate sustainability (education) into purchasing training sessions offered to the departments. 3) Add language into procurement policies/procedures documents to request vendor information on their sustainability practices, goods, and services. 4) Require departments to submit purchase requests electronically. 5) Facilitate and encourage departments to purchase goods and services from vendors that are “green” or sustainable (i.e. toilet paper, printing paper, computer monitors, carpet, acoustical ceiling tiles, photo copiers, some furniture, etc.). 6) Research and produce a “Green Guide” for travel related to university business (i.e., video conferencing, green hotel, carpool, etc.) 7) Collaborate with vehicle services for purchase of alternate fuels and new vehicles. 8) Research and compile a list of sustainable or “green” hotels. Recommend and encourage university business travelers to use. 9) Encourage the state to contract with sustainable or “green” hotels and ask the state to provide that list to the university.

Martin Baylor, Vice President Office of the VP for Business Affairs SSBL 5101 Dept. 956-665-2121 baylormv@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan include following goals: 1) Increase transportation options to and from campuses by promoting educational programs through partnerships with cities 2) Reduce number of cars parking on campus through incentives to students, staff, and faculty members

Strategies: 1) Collaborate with the City of Edinburg on a traffic assessment to review traffic conditions while strategically planning alternative transportation routes; i.e., Rio Metro, Campus Shuttle future light rail transit. 2) Limiting traffic on campus streets to buses and other specialty authorized vehicles 3) Explore a partnership with Rio Metro to reduce number of students driving a private vehicle (POV) to a campus. Subsidized or free to students. 4) Explore partnerships with the surrounding cities to link hike & bike trails to encourage more individuals to walk or bike to campus. 5) Explore a “Borrow a Bike” or “Green Bike” type of program thus encouraging all to use bikes as an alternative to POV. 6) Education program for students, faculty and staff emphasizing the health benefits of walking/bicycling. 7) Launch an educational campaign to promote the use of alternative transportation. 8) Explore options to parking fee price structure such as a substantial financial savings for commuters who carpool. Fees should reflect the true costs of parking and/or market rates (e.g. response to supply and demand). 9) Propose 25% or more parking spaces in each parking lot for energy-efficient/ compact POV. Spaces should be located at the preferred spots near building entrances. 10) Explore incentives or policies to encourage students to not bring a POV to campus, i.e. first choice of a residence hall, freshman not allowed a POV, true cost of operating a vehicle. 11) Explore a “Borrow a Bike” or “Green Bike” type of program. 12) Explore purchasing energy-efficient or alternative hybrid vehicles, electric powered Cushman/Mule and pedal powered vehicles wherever feasible for on-campus travel.

Martin Baylor, Vice President Office of the VP for Business Affairs SSBL 5101 Dept. 956-665-2121 baylormv@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan establishes the following goals: 1) Reduce the amount of solid waste disposal by increasing recycling opportunity efforts. 2) Reduce water usage. 3) Reduce hazardous waste on campus. 4) Reduce storm water runoff.

Strategies: 1) Determine and track current recycling rate for campus, i.e. waste diverted from disposal in landfill to recycling center 2) Incorporate recycling efforts on all campus operations through education, signage, and recycling bins. 3) Partner with student organizations to incorporate recycling at all campus events, including student orientations 4) Centralize drop-off recycling areas that correlate with the highest generating departments/ buildings on campus to expedite and make pickups more efficient. 5) Install water wise shower heads, low-flow toilets, and waterless urinals. (25 dual flush toilets are now being manufactured that utilize less than 1.3 gallons per flush.) 6) Publicize and encourage student, faculty and staff to report water waste on campus. 7) Explore use of gray water for irrigation purposes. 8) Consider specifying “green” cleaning chemical alternatives. 9) Implement pilot test for full line of green cleaning products and convert housekeeping to new green products. 10) Construct retention ponds in areas that currently have reduced or limited drainage. 11) Install and test Bio-swales on campus when a suitable project becomes available. 12) Create Bio-filters at all existing storm drains to filter storm water systems as necessary to reduce suspended solids.

Martin Baylor, Vice President Office of the VP for Business Affairs SSBL 5101 Dept. 956-665-2121 baylormv@utpa.edu

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan goal is to utilize energy-efficient and sustainable design standards on all new construction and applicable renovation projects and strive to meet or exceed water use/re-use.

Strategies: 1. Install utility metering for water and chill water on each project, adhering to the maxim: “You cannot manage what you do not measure.” 2. Utilize life cycle analysis in materials and equipment selection for all projects.

Martin Baylor, Vice President Office of the VP for Business Affairs SSBL 5101 Dept. 956-665-2121 baylormv@utpa.edu

The Office of Student Financial Services is committed to the overall mission of the University and the Division of Student Affairs. We are dedicated to helping students and families in the pursuit of their educational goals by removing financial barriers which would otherwise discourage or prohibit attendance by qualified students who lack adequate resources; by providing high quality customer service in a professional, caring, and equitable manner; by enhancing recruitment and retention efforts to attract promising undergraduates and graduates to the University; and by administering financial aid programs in compliance with the federal, state and institutional regulations and guidelines.

Freeze tuition rates for 4 years, eliminating many fees, caps tuition at 12 hours, thereby creating an incentive to graduate sooner and allows students who graduate under 4 years to pay the frozen rate for master’s degree programs should they wish to pursue a master’s. UT Pan American will increase annual giving to $25 million with step goals. The University expects to reach an annual giving level of $7.5 million per year in the next 3 years, $12 million per year in 6 years, and $20 million per year in the next 8 years with a target of $25 million in 10 years. In conjunction, the endowment will grow to $105 million in the next 10 years. To reach these targets, UT Pan American must aggressively track its alumni and increase the percentage of those who donate to the University. The University Advancement division will put together a workable plan to raise funds for various institutional and college level priorities that include scholarships, program enhancement, and new program development. The Development Office will work closely with administrators, college deans and department chairs to help train them and assist them in raising necessary funds for their projects. To help students and families in the pursuit of their educational goals, the following types of aid are available: Grants, Scholarships, Institutional Programs,Work-Study,Loans, Programs for Veterans, State Programs, Veterans assistance, Senate Bill 1528

The University of Texas-Pan American Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs 1201 W. University Drive Student Services Bldg., Room 4.101 (956) 665-2147 (956) 665-2268 (fax)

The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan includes the following goals: 1) Promote healthy and sustainable lifestyles for students, faculty, and staff by implementing programs that teach this lifestyle. 2) Promote healthy and sustainable eating habits for students, faculty, and staff through incorporation of these topics into existing programs. 3) Promote health and wellness in the community through partnerships with off-campus entities.

Strategies: 1) Create and implement summer camp programs for youth that promote sustainability in the program as well as encourage youth to exercise 2) Implement an educational program that emphasizes the physical, financial, social and educational benefits of walking/cycling, whether on campus or commuting to campus 3) Collaborate with surrounding communities to publish a map of walking/ cycling routes with distances to popular destinations, etc. 4) Develop an outdoor activity program that promotes healthy/exercise based activities utilizing a variety of recreational opportunities in the greater Rio Grande Valley area. 5) Promote the use of organic, locally grown, humanely grown, fair trade sustainable food. 6) Develop programs that educate students, faculty, staff and communities about sustainable food literacy. 7) Collaborate with Dining Services to promote organic, locally grown, humanely grown, and fair trade sustainable food. 8) Collaborate with various other departments to develop community gardening classes to include a demonstration garden for students, faculty, staff and communities to learn how to grow organic fruits and vegetables. 9) Partner with community Parks & Recreation Departments, World Birding Centers, Texas Parks & Wildlife and others to create nature summer camps and/or events. 10) Incorporate programs into summer camps for children that promote healthy lifestyles to include eating and exercising. 11) Continue to collaborate with surrounding communities to develop/encourage alternative modes of transportation to and from campus 12) Cooperate with surrounding communities and organizations in efforts to promote health and wellness (health fairs, special events, etc.).

The University of Texas-Pan American Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs 1201 W. University Drive Student Services Bldg., Room 4.101 (956) 665-2147 (956) 665-2268 (fax)

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The University’s Sustainability Campus Action Plan include following goals: 1) Increase awareness of sustainability through Marketing & Development 2) Increase University’s community knowledge about sustainability through athletic events 3) Reduce energy consumption and paper waste through Information Technology.

Strategies: 1) Promote and market Office for Sustainability and its mission. 2) Promote campus sustainability initiatives through all media outlets. 3) Monitor university communications to ensure cohesive sustainability messages. 4) Support fundraising efforts of sustainability on campus. 5) Encourage volunteerism among Division of University Advancement staff to become role models in sustainability efforts. 6) Develop measures to monitor progress. 7) Implement best practices in sustainability within division 8) Promote and market “greening” of athletic events. 9) Use athletic events to help educate and promote sustainability to students, faculty, staff and the general community. 10) Create and foster a “team spirit” to sustainability practices to get students, faculty, staff and alumni excited about being green. 11) Implement collaborative efforts with Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Student Sports Marketing Academy, including creating sustainability programs with each varsity team 12) Collaborate with Energy Conservation committee to determine energy usage of campus. 13) Plan upgrades to Data Center HVAC using energy-efficient technologies 14) Reduce paper consumption campus wide through paper reduction initiative. 15) Collaborate with Purchasing to specify energy-efficient or “Energy Star” electronics to include computers and other technological equipment 16) Facilitate the message of sustainability in all University websites. 17) Encourage facility to use web-based conferences, seminars, etc.

Marketing Veronica Gonzales Vice President for University Advancement International Trade and Technology Building, 1.210 telephone: (956) 665-5301 email: gonzalesv@utpa.edu Athletics Christopher King Dir Athletics Athletics HPE1 102 Dept. 956-665-2221 kingca@utpa.edu

Integrating the goals of preserving a healthy and sustainable ecological system, developing economic viability, and pursuing social justice.

The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System is committed to stewardship of the environment and promotion of the principles of energy efficiency and sustainability. The System’s commitment to energy savings goals, reductions in carbon emissions, and sustainable design is evident in existing practices, and the institutions will continue to implement well-thought-out initiatives that increase efficiencies, reduce emissions, and promote sustainability practices that contribute meaningfully to the environment, while still achieving excellence in higher education. The System’s decisions and actions regarding sustainability practices will be guided by its mission statement and will be reflective of budgetary constraints and legal, regulatory and programmatic requirements, while continuing to further the missions of the institutions. UTPA's 2012 Strategic Plan specifically address the following goals: 1. Provide students with a quality educational experience that enables them to complete their educational goals in a timely fashion. 2. Become an outstanding research institution, emphasizing collaborative partnerships and entrepreneurship. 3. Enhance UTPA’s engagement with the community to meet challenges and maximize opportunities. 4. Collaborate with P-12 schools to enlarge the pool of applicants who are personally prepared and academically qualified for higher education. 5. Infuse Inter-American and global perspectives throughout the University community. 6. Optimize institutional effectiveness and efficiency consistent with high quality organizational standards.

Additional links: http://portal.utpa.edu/utpa_main/president_home/president_planning/planning_strategic http://www.utmb.edu/policies_and_procedures/IHOP/Supporting_Documents/IHOP%20-%2008.01.11%20-%20Environmental%20Policy%20Statement%20(Policy%20on%20Sustainability%20Practices).pdf