Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
State of the
Campus
for
AY 2009-2010
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
Current SCC Membership1
Faculty [3]
Robin Saha, EVST
Amy Ratto-Parks, English, partial term 2009
Steve Sieber, College of Forestry and Conservation
Jeff Renz, Law School
Students [5] 2
ASUM Sustainability Coordinator – Erica Bloom
*ASUM Vice President – Emily May, partial term
ASUM Senate Patrick Rhea
Derek Kanwischer, EVST grad student
Lindsay Becker, Res Conserv, College of Forestry & Conservation
Whitney Hobbs, College of Forestry & Conservation
Administrators [3]
Chris Comer, Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Mark LoParco, Director UM Dining Services
Dan Corti, Executive Director, EHRM
Staff [4] 3
Cherie Peacock, Office of Sustainability, Co-Chair
Mike Panisko, EHRM, Co-Chair
Brian Kerns, Alternative Energy Research & Dev., MonTec
Sue Malek, School of Business
1
– During the last semester as the by-laws were modified to better reflect how new members are selected there was a few
changes in membership. Ex-faculty members replaced were: Phil Condon, Curtis Noonan and Lisa Swallow, with Amy
Ratto-Parks serving a limited period. Ex-staff members replaced were: Kelly Chadwick, Paul Williamson, ExAdministrators replaced were: Charles Couture,
2
– There were five students on the committee during the 2009-2010. This number will return to three total, including the
permanent member, ASUM Sustainability Coordinator as of Fall 2010.
3
– The Office of Sustainability Coordinator will be a permanent member of the SCC for a total of four staff members.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
Executive Summary
The efforts of the last four semesters at The University of Montana (UM) by many sustainabilityminded factions have indeed resembled the US effort in the 1950s regarding the Mercury space
program. Movement from the initial signing commitment documents to the final development of
a planning document, culminated in an action plan and measurement protocol that awaits
incremental changes in the carbon footprint of UM and most importantly the downward
deceleration resulting in the final goal of a carbon-neutral campus.
The last measurement of the green house gas (GHG) emissions was performed in 2008 at
approximately 43,000 mectric tons eCO2 and this GHG inventory will be updated this coming
academic year along with the implementation of the first Climate Action Plan (CAP) filed in
2010.
The newly formed Office of Sustainability together with the Sustainability Campus Committee
and other key campus parties, including Facilities Services personnel and the VP of
Administration and Finance have begun the process of assessing promising opportunities and
ideas explicitly stated in the CAP report.
These would include but not be limited to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Biomass Generator on campus
Purchase of wind power or investment in wind power generation
Marketing plan to education students on sustainability issues
Expand the academic contribution to sustainability issues on campus started by the
Climate-minor.
Finally, the SCC’s suggestions and recommendation for Academic Year 2010-2011 listed below
are aimed at continuing the momentum or ‘rocket boost’ that is needed at this time:
1. The SCC should continue to monitor the progress of the following:
a. Action Plan of the 2010 Climate Action Plan (CAP);
b. Any updates to the Green-House-Gas Inventory (GHG);
c. RELF
d. FS’s Energy Program
e. Green Cleaning Policy
2. To expand on inviting sustainability-focused speakers on campus and at committee
meetings
3. To develop some Sustainability standards for organizations to use to make their event
more sustainable.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
Introduction
Over the last four semesters, the ‘booster stages’ of the University of Montana (UM)
efforts to become a carbon neutral campus have been set in motion. There are many
factors that have contributed to where UM finds itself as EarthDay 2010 (April 22nd)
approached. It is indeed a very exciting time for the sustainability ‘journey’ in Griz land.
So one might ask how did we get here? Where did it start? Who is leading the
charge? Even ironically, will our current efforts be sustainable?
As can be seen from the graph below (See Figure 1) the student enrollment has, for the
most-part, increased since classes began in 1897 and has eclipsed the 14,000 (thousand)
barrier in the fall semester of 2009. What has tracked along with this growth is the
number of teaching and research faculty and administrative support staff and resultantly,
classroom space, laboratory space, and office space. As more inhabit the campus there is
the need for more student housing and more transportation required. Similarly, the
UM’s growth has warranted the need for an increase in the number of buildings on
campus. Quite parallel to this growth of the transportation needs of students, faculty, and
staff and number of new classrooms, laboratories, offices has been the continued growth
in green house gas emissions (UM’s first inventory reported this number to be
approximately 43,000 metric tons eCO2 ). (See Figure 2).
Figure 1 - Student Enrollment 1897-2009
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
Figure 2 -2010 CAP report
However, in 2007, when UM President Dennison became one of the first 100 charter signatories
of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPPC) a
significant event occurred. This turned out to be the ‘fuel’ that began a series of events on UM’s
campus -- the beginning of the ‘journey’ in reducing carbon emissions and the eventual attaining
a carbon-neutral campus. UM’s sustainable program had ‘lift off’.
But as in all journeys, there is a planning period that precedes the actual event. It all began on
Earth Day 2002 when UM President Dennison signed the Talloires Declaration and established
the Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC). As noted in previous SCC annual reports (See UM
website - http://www.umt.edu/greeningum/), this committee, made up of faculty, administrators,
staff, and students persisted in its charge “… to move the University towards sustainability…“
and eventually sketched out an initial plan “to go where no campus has gone before’. For UM
this meant to put in place the necessary organizational structure and commitment of its resources
to formalize a plan.
The planning stages had many dips and turns for the SCC but maintaining diligence and patience
over each academic cycle since 2002, the little-changing-over-time membership did not lose
sight of it mission to seek the proper organizational structure and executive commitment,
ensuring its success.
CURRENT SITUATION
Over the last four semesters, the pieces started to come together and build upon each other. The
first major ‘stage’ was successfully achieved when an initial ‘first ever’ campus green house gas
inventory was prepared and submitted. This was largely the effort of a newly formed ASUM
sustainability coordinator position with the assistance of the-many departments on campus,
especially Facilities Services, Finance & Administration, and the SCC. This report provided
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
information at a point in time but didn’t necessarily tell us how we got here. For the first time,
this report quite specifically identified the main contributors, in terms of what activities
performed on or near campus, that create carbon emissions, directly or indirectly. At the same
time, the SCC was working with the VP of Administration and Finance to put in place a full time
staff member solely dedicated to sustainable issues on campus; one who could totally be
dedicated to guide the SCC and UM campus and Missoula community at large in the preparation
of the filing of the first ‘expedition’ – The Climate Action Plan.
Meanwhile, The Office of Sustainability was created and its first coordinator was hired on
January 2009. With a wealth of experience in energy efficiency and LEED principles, Cherie
Peacock was the person selected for this position, and thus solidified the commitment of UM to
sustainability and moved the planning from the drawing board to assemble the ‘ship’. Initially,
only armed with the recent ASUM sustainability coordinator, she began the documentation
process required by the ACUPCC for a Climate Action Plan (CAP) submittal. This concluded
with the final submittal of the CAP on January 15, 2010 – the ‘booster’ stage has been achieved.
Although it took the better part of one year to complete the CAP, there were many other
activities going on during this same period, each linked to the SCC’s main sustainability mission
of the campus. The following is short discussion of each of these significant events – with a
more extensive discussion on each in the Appendix of this report (as well as on the UMGreening
Website):
• The UM FLAT house was introduced to the SCC and eventually brought to fruition,
largely led by SCC student member Derek Kanwischer.
• Martha Sample and Erica Bloom (the latter eventually became the 2009-2010 ASUM
Sustainability Coordinator) provided numerous papers and findings regarding the need
for UM to consider a green clearing products policy. Their efforts were resulted in a
Green Policy task force that eventually developed, submitted and was approved – a
policy document on Green Cleaning Products.
• The future of maintaining the sustainable journey is largely in the hands of each student
that passed through UM. To this end, the Revolving Energy Loan Fund (RELF) was
conceived and supported by students. It gained momentum to eventually pass ASUM
scrutiny and was also approved by the UM Board of Regents. This is a small, but very
necessary piece of student commitment and initiative.
• Facility Services during this period in conjunction with the MT Governor’s 20x10 energy
reduction goal, was able to have 16 buildings on campus audited for energy usage and is
in the process of finalizing the scope of work to have contractors perform cost effective
energy reduction measures, like lighting retrofits and building operation usage.
• Another necessary ingredient to a successful sustainable plan involves the faculty and the
university curriculum. Green Thread and the offering of a Climate-minor begin a new
long term effort for the eventual graduating students to expand on the efforts at UM.
• In order to provide updates and keep all interested parties aware of the activities of the
SCC the website was overhauled and consolidated into one UMGreening, going live on
April xx, 2009.
• The Sustainability Campus Committee Awards for 2010 were given out on May 24,
2010. The four individuals who received an award were: Jack Mondloch, Staff, Facilities
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
Services, Nicky Phear, Faculty, EVST; Zack Porter, Student; and Bob Duringer,
Administration, VP Admin & Finance.
•
Finally, during this period the structure and by-laws of the SCC were amended to
improve upon its effectiveness and provide a more consistent membership – a move to
keep the ‘ship’ moving through unchartered times.
SCC Suggestions & Recommendations for Academic Year 2010-2011
4. The SCC should continue to monitor the progress of the following:
a. Action Plan of the 2010 Climate Action Plan (CAP);
b. Any updates to the Green-House-Gas Inventory (GHG);
c. RELF
d. FS’s Energy Program
e. Green Cleaning Policy
5. To expand on inviting sustainability-focused speakers on campus and at committee
meetings
6. To develop some Sustainability standards for organizations to use to make their event
more sustainable.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
State of the budget
2008-2009
FY2009
Sustainability Committee
Foundation Account #56W
#5691 Jill Johns (Foundation)
Date
19-Nov
19-Nov
24-Nov
24-Nov
24-Nov
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
12/3/2008
3/17/2009
3/16/2009
4/17/2009
5/4/2009
5/4/2009
5/6/2009
6/9/2009
6/10/2009
6/10/2009
6/12/2009
6/12/2009
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
Beginning Balance
UM Catering-Green Cleaning Conference
CE-Meeting room charge (Phil Condon)
UM Forestry-Soil Testing-Belinda Hayes
Dustin Leftridge-misc reimbursement
ASUM Payroll (Sustainability Comm)
200.00
40.00
144.00
46.48
3,000.00
Balance
10,000.00
9,800.00
9,760.00
9,616.00
9,569.52
6,569.52
UC Catering-Sus.Committee Meeting(Leftridge)
Derek Kanwischer-reimburse library charge
UC Events - Telephone Charge
Spectral Fusion-Greening UM Website Redesign
Earthweek allocation-J.Davie
Earthweek allocation-Quick Copy reimbursment
Derek Kanwischer-reimburse expense-Earthweek
Website redesign - T.Daniel
Earthweek Student Payroll for Sample & Freer
UM Flat house - FS Plant Fund
Consultant
Student Payroll-City's Greenhouse Gas Inventory
20.00
60.00
11.24
315.00
105.82
153.00
96.14
1,500.00
500.00
1,500.00
1,250.00
600.00
6,549.52
6,489.52
6,478.28
6,163.28
6,057.46
5,904.46
5,808.32
4,308.32
3,808.32
2,308.32
1,058.32
458.32
2009-2010
FY2010 - Sustainability Foundation Account (#56W)
#5691 Jill Johns (Foundation)
Date
Account Recap
6/30/2009
7/15/2009
8/11/2009
8/19/2009
8/19/2009
10/1/2009
11/2/2009
11/2/2009
Beginning Balance
GMD-Excellence Funds Transfer
Student Payroll-City's Greenhouse Gas Inventory(FY09
University Procard - Fair Booth Rental
Erica Bloom - Supplies for displays in Fair booth
Erica Bloom - Greening of Campus Conference
UC Event Planning
Yaicha Bookhout
4/1/2010
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
pd
Balance
PENDING
Earth Week Banner - Sign Pro and Sewfine
10,000.00
600.00
60.00
43.72
437.36
130.00
70.00
200.00
Page 8
1,058.32
11,058.32
10,458.32
10,398.32
10,354.60
9,917.24
9,787.24
9,717.24
Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 1 – FLAT House Project
The UM FLAT project (Forum for Living with Appropriate Technology) is a student-run
demonstration home at the University of Montana to help promote sustainable living practices and
exemplify efficient building renovations and applications. Thanks to the generous support of UM,
students, and the community, our site features a growing number of "appropriate technologies" that are
simple to approach, understand, and implement, including passive solar techniques, reuse of materials,
natural light, local and natural materials, and a permaculture ethic that is interwoven throughout our
garden and site. Most importantly, since the birth of the project just over one year ago, we have created a
vibrant home for student groups and community organizations to meet together in a shared space where
ideas are exchanged and reinforced through cooperation.
The Sustainable Campus Committee has played a supportive role in the advancement of this project
since the beginning. Early on in 2008, the SCC contributed seed funds for some of the initial research and
renovation expenses for the community demonstration space. During the 2009-2010 academic year, the
SCC has contributed funds to help with the expenses to wire the garage. Typically, the UM FLAT seeks
to have students from the campus or College of Technology carpentry program do the work, thus
offsetting costs and offering an opportunity to work on a green renovation, but in this case, licensed
electricians were necessary. It is worth noting, all UM FLAT expenses are significantly reduced thanks to
the outreach of the UM FLAT co-directors to appeal for discounts and donations. For example, the
contracted cost of the electrical wiring job was $5,000. Through a volunteer work-day coordinated though
the local electrical union, the labor was donated, the volunteers received certifiable training upgrades, and
the SCC contributed $1,700 to install energy efficient lighting fixtures that are appropriate for the end
product of the community demonstration space envisioned by the UM FLAT.
The Sustainable Campus Committee has recently volunteered funds to help support their 2010 Earth
Day Farm to College Barbecue and Open House. This is an opportunity to support the visibility and
utility of the ongoing initiatives at the UM FLAT. Last year, their FTC barbeque brought in over 200
people. This year the coinciding open house will be publicized to the campus and wider community to
recognize the many ways community organizations and businesses have contributed to the development
of this project. The open house will feature kiosks for guided and self-guided tours of the property, music,
local foods, and representation from UM FLAT co-directors and student groups who use the space.
The UM FLAT has recently announced their call for applications for new student co-directors to live
at the FLAT and direct the operations over the 2010-2011 academic year. The current co-directors are
working hard to develop the necessary infrastructure to pass on the ownership of the project to the next
round of students. Derek Kanwischer, the founder and current project coordinator, expects to stay
involved with the UM FLAT project in an advisory role as he begins work on his PhD studying how the
benefits of ecovillages can be applied to influence greater society. To keep track of progress or for more
information on the project you can visit the FLAT online: www.umt.edu/umflat.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 2 - VP DURINGER’s ACTION PLAN – Presented to SCC, February 2010
Moving towards carbon neutrality: A Strategy
The Easy Things
Reduction in CO2
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs:
• LEED building standards:
-43MTeCO2
-2685MTeCO2
•
•
•
•
-1344MTeCO2
-24MTeCO2
-40MTeCO2
-2MTeCO2
In-house re-commissioning of buildings:
Energy efficient vehicles:
Energy star appliances:
ASUM Transportation
More Difficult Things
• Four day work week:
• Behavior change campaign:
• Close buildings over break
• Energy efficiency projects:
-596MTeCO2
-2574MTeCO2
-894MTeCO2
-3721MTeCO2
Really Hard Things
• Biomass fire boilers
• Biomass to syngas:
• Biomass electrical generation
• Wind generated electricity
TOTAL
-12548MTeCO2
Zero carbon footprint goal
-46500MTeCO2
SHORTFALL
5529MTeCO2
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-16500MTeCO2
-40971MTeCO2
Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
FOCUS ON ELECTRICITY
•
•
•
•
We spend approximately $3 million per year on electricity
The premium to buy "Green Tag" power is $10 per MWH; we use
about 40,000 MWH per year.
This is a 13% premium over our contracted price (1 cent
above the 7.5 cents per kwh currently charged by
Northwest) The marginal cost of Green Power will increase
exponentially if Cap & T r a d e e v e r b e c o m e s a
reality
Therefore, the approximate cost to buy green power is
$390,000 per year at the current rate per MWH
The Idea:
If we implemented a mandatory student fee of..$13 per term, AND
made a voluntary facultv/staff payroll deduction available
(assuming 1000 fac/staff would participate), we would have
15,000 people contributing, yielding the $390,000 needed to buy
green power
OR
If the fee stayed in existence for five years, we would accumulate
approximately $2 million to invest in green power (yield $80,000)
per year to buy green power. This would pay for about 20% 50% of the cost of green power, depending on rates.
OR
If you extended the investment period to 10 years you would
accumulate $4+ million and generate approximately $320,000
in annual earnings, approximately 50% -100% of the cost of
green power, depending on rates.
Note: With an equity investment with a green power generator
such as the one being planned for the Judith Gap, a deal could
be struck to buy green power at a substantial discount.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 3 - GREEN PRODUCT PURCHASING POLICY
Policy Number: 206.1
Policy: Green Cleaning Products
Date Adopted: 04/10
Revision Date:
References: UM Energy Star Policy, Women's Voices for the Earth
Approved By: Robert A. Duringer, Vice President for Administration & Finance
The University community will work to understand the benefits of using environmentally friendly cleaning products and to identify new green
cleaning products as they become available. Green cleaning standards and best practices will be implemented wherever possible to minimize the
harmful effects of their use and ensure students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are not exposed to unacceptable levels of potentially hazardous
chemicals and to limit and/or minimize any potential adverse effects to people and the environment.
The University will implement green cleaning processes and procedures that consider the balance between cost, effectiveness, safety,
environmental impact, equipment, industry standards and final disposal of product.
Every effort will be made to use third party certified green cleaning products where and when chemicals, cleaning agents, and cleaning
equipment are in use and to comply with all LEED certification building or remodel requirements for green cleaning products.
Policy Number:
Policy:
Green Cleaning Products
Date Adopted:
3/2/10
Revision Date:
References:
UM Green Cleaning Work Group, UM Energy Star Policy 303.1.2 (http://www.umt.edu/Policies/300Financial/purchasingenergy.aspx),
Women’s Voices for the Earth
Approved by:
Robert A. Duringer, Vice President for Administration & Finance
The Green Cleaning Work Group (GCWG) was formed to create the UM Green Cleaning Product Policy. The GCWG was
comprised of representatives from across campus who are charged with the responsibility of keeping campus facilities healthy,
clean, and sanitary for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. All members of the campus community are encouraged to participate,
support, and help sustain the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The UM Green Cleaning Policy addresses
cleaning processes holistically with an emphasis on employee safety, environmental benefits, education, and training. The UM
Green Cleaning Policy is not intended to supersede state and federal regulations.
POLICY
The University community will work to understand the benefits of using environmentally friendly cleaning products and to identify
new green cleaning products as they become available. Green cleaning standards and best practices will be implemented wherever
possible to minimize the harmful effects of their use and ensure students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are not exposed to
unacceptable levels of potentially hazardous chemicals and to limit and/or minimize any potential adverse effects to people and the
environment.
The University will implement green cleaning processes and procedures that consider the balance between cost, effectiveness,
safety, environmental impact, equipment, industry standards and final disposal of product.
Every effort will be made to use third party certified green cleaning products where and when chemicals, cleaning agents, and
cleaning equipment are in use and to comply with all LEED certification building or remodel requirements for green cleaning
products.
PROCEDURES
Certification:
•
Preference shall be given for the purchase of green cleaning products that meet third party certification from entities such
as; Green Seal, EcoLogo, Carpet and Rug Institute, Design for Environment, and the California Code of Regulations
whenever possible and applicable.
•
An allowance for cleaning chemicals otherwise prohibited may be made in cases where the product application or
sanitation requirements (health care, food service) are such that there is no appropriate alternative green cleaning product
available.
o
Limit disinfectant applications to the appropriate setting, amount, and target organism. When selecting
disinfectant products:

Choose a product specific to the disinfection needs

Assess or minimize risk to patients and staff

Thoroughly clean before use

Use the product in the most efficient manner and;

As ‘proper use’ is indicated on label directions
Equipment:
•
Floor Care: The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) shall be the third party rating agency for floor care consultation regarding
energy efficiency, product usage, HEPA filtration, water recovery, water dispensing to minimize waste, and water
extraction equipment. Floor care equipment shall meet the recommendations of CRI whenever possible. Regardless of
CRI recommendation, floor care equipment shall be capable of removing sufficient moisture such that carpets can dry
within a 24 hour period.
•
Utilization and dispensing:
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
Consistency: Dispensing systems that regulate chemical concentrates are to be used for dilution control.
When manual dilution is utilized, proper training and measurements are to be implemented.
o
Cold water is to be used when mixing cleaning chemicals (cold water uses less energy, and hot water can
release fumes) unless heated water is required for proper activation.
•
Emissions: Preference should be given to equipment that reduces or eliminates aerosolization.
•
Preventative products: such as entrance matting shall be utilized where practical to minimize cleaning needs.
•
Batteries: Where batteries are essential or required utilize rechargeable batteries as your first choice. If rechargeable
batteries are not available utilize the most environmentally friendly battery technology available.
Purchasing:
•
Capital Purchases: Cleaning equipment purchases must meet UM’s Energy Star Policy number 303.1.2
http://www.umt.edu/Policies/300-Financial/purchasingenergy.aspx
•
Efficient Ordering:
o
Delivery schedule coordination. Products should not be ordered in excess of expected use of product shelf life.
o
Bulk (concentrates and consolidated case orders, etc.) should be considered as a means to manage cleaning
supply costs.
o
Central Stores-Helena should be considered for purchases whenever practical.
o
Advantages of group purchasing to be further explored.

UM Missoula

UM Campuses (Dillon, Butte and Helena)

MUS

All State Intuitions
•
Consolidated Inventory: Products should be evaluated and standardized across campus to reduce the total number of
different materials and harmful chemicals currently in use. The inventory of chemicals used should be maintained on the
“UM Chemical Assessment and Inventory Form.”
•
Preference shall be given to cleaning products that are cost-effective and effective in their application.
•
Preference shall be given for products that are packaged in a container of recycled material, and/or contained in
recyclable packaging.
•
Preference for products that do not contain phosphate, zinc, and/or aerosol delivery.
Oversight, Training & Education:
•
Oversight: Under the leadership and direction of the Office of Sustainability, create a standing work group comprised of
Facilities Managers and the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator to:
o
Reduce the overall chemical inventory on campus as identified in the “UM Chemical Assessment and Inventory
Form”
o
Increase the use of green cleaning products across all sectors of campus.
o
Develop a process to field evaluate new green cleaning products, to include standardized product testing and
assessment procedures.
o
Create an approval process for all non-third party certified cleaning products utilized on campus.
o
Provide ongoing oversight for UM Green Cleaning Product Policy compliance.
o
Provide the SCC with an annual report highlighting work group activity and compliance with the UM Green
Cleaning Product Policy.
•
Training: Facilities Managers shall develop a program for initial and continued training to include, but not be limited to:
o
Contents and application of the UM Green Cleaning Policy.
o
Safe handling and disposing of cleaning materials.
o
Proper mixing and dilution of concentrated chemicals.
o
How to read an MSDS sheet and identify where they’re located.
o
Compliance with all current policies, legislation, and industry standards.
o
Encourage innovation and recommendations for product research.
•
Product Research:
o
Continue researching products, equipment, tools and procedures that are safe for our health and environment.
o
Utilize a standardized field evaluation form.
o
Utilize standard testing and assessment procedures which would include:

Effectiveness

Cost analysis

Safety

Environmental fate and disposal
•
Education: (Campus community outreach):
o
Create a program that raises student awareness of green cleaning products.
o
Promote and encourage students to purchase and use green cleaning products in the residence halls.
o
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 4 - SCC BY-LAWS UPDATE
BY-LAWS
Sustainable Campus Committee
The University of Montana
I.
NAME
The name of the committee shall be the Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC or Committee).
II.
MISSION
Universities must play a leading role in education, research, policy development, information exchange, and community
outreach in order to help create an equitable and sustainable future. The Committee recognizes the importance of this and
aims to lead by example through the adoption of the Talloires Declaration’s ten principles and signing of the American College
& University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) initiative. By identifying and recommending projects that move the
University towards sustainability, the Committee will provide momentum and guidance to UM administration, faculty, staff,
and students to achieve environmentally and socially responsible living
III.
CHARGE
A. To identify and recommend to the University President, through the Vice President for Administrative and Finance, specific
actions and strategic plans the University community can pursue to move the University towards greater environmental
sustainability in its operations, research, teaching and service/outreach functions.
B. To collaborate with on-campus and off-campus groups to implement these actions and plans and sustain them over time.
C. To report to the campus community on the state of the university's sustainability efforts and on future plans each Earth Day.
The report shall discuss goals achieved, plans for the future, reflection on the ten principles/actions of the Talloires Declaration,
and updates to the required Climate Action Plan per the ACUPCC initiative. This report will be reviewed by UM President and
any other interested parties and posted on the SCC website.
IV.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
A. The committee shall be composed of 13 members from the faculty, staff, administration, and students at the University of
Montana, and to include the Office of Sustainability Coordinator.
B. The committee members shall be appointed by the UM President on the recommendation of ASUM, Staff Senate, Faculty
Senate, or SCC.
C. Members shall serve a two-year term. Members can be reappointed for a maximum of two additional two-year terms by
recommendation of the SCC. The Office of Sustainability Coordinator will be a permanent member.
D. To capture a diversity of perspectives, the committee shall draw from a variety of departments and services found on the
campus.
E. There shall be three representatives from each of the following categories: administration, faculty, staff and students.
Student representation will usually include an ASUM representative, a MTPIRG representative, and at least one graduate
student (EVST or other interested department).
V.
OFFICERS
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
A. The officers of the committee shall be two Co-Chairs. Additional offices shall be established by amending these bylaws as
described in Section VIII.
B. Officers shall be elected by the committee at the May meeting for the following academic year. Nominations for officers can
be made by any SCC member at the April meeting, and willing nominees shall be posted on the agenda for the May meeting.
The Office of Sustainability Coordinator will be a permanent officer (Co-chair).
C. Officer terms shall be for one year. Officers may be elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
D. The Co-Chair’s shared duties are to organize, publicize and facilitate meetings; to direct the formation of subcommittees; and
to consult with the President regarding Committee matters as needed.
E. The Co-Chairs’ duties shall include responsibility for any working funds the SCC acquires or spends, i.e., keeping accounts and
signing checks authorized by SCC.
VI.
MEETINGS
A. The committee will meet monthly throughout the year, unless the committee decides to schedule additional special
meetings and/or to skip a monthly meeting. The time and place of meetings shall be determined by the committee at the
beginning of each semester. Meeting information shall be publicized on the Committee’s website and through other University
media.
B. All full committee meetings shall be open to the public and will include a period for public comment. Minutes will be kept,
sent to members, and amended and/or approved at the following meeting. Agendas for each meeting will be sent to members
and posted on website in advance of the meeting.
C. Seven of the duly appointed members of the committee at any given time being present shall constitute a quorum. In the
absence of a quorum, the committee may conduct a meeting, engage in discussion, and keep minutes; however, no action
requiring a committee vote may be taken without a quorum present.
VII. SUBCOMMITTEES and WORK GROUPS
Subcommittees shall be appointed by either Co-Chair as needed to carry out the mission of the committee. Subcommittees are
expected to report on their work at monthly meetings of the full committee.
Work groups shall be appointed by either Co-Chair as needed, especially during the preparation and updating of the Climate
Action Plan as required by the ACUPCC.
VIII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
These bylaws can be amended at any monthly meeting of the Committee by a two-thirds vote of those present, provided that a
quorum is present and provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous monthly meeting.
Bylaws approved by SCC: February 2005
Bylaws amended by SCC: May 2007
Bylaws amended by SCC: April 2009
Bylaws amended by SCC: November 2009
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 5 - GREEN THREAD
The Green Thread Initiative is intended to infuse issues of ecological, social, and economic
sustainability into courses across the UM curriculum. A key component of sustainability literacy
is faculty development. Through a two-day summer workshop for UM faculty members, the
initiative seeks to help faculty integrate issues of sustainability into their general education
courses. Consistent with the very idea of sustainability, the initiative ultimately seeks to enhance
students' understanding of the interconnectedness of ecological, social, and economic issues.
VISION
A two-day workshop held during the week following the conclusion of Spring Semester. This
first day will focus on the idea of sustainability and its implications within and across disciplines.
The second day will focus on integrating issues of sustainability into existing courses and
envisioning pedagogy that enables student learning. Short presentations by mostly non-UM
experts on sustainability and pedagogy will be used to stimulate discussion on Day One. On Day
Two, faculty will break out into small interdisciplinary groups and are facilitated to
envision/discuss how each respective discipline can embrace sustainability topics. Faculty then
leave with tangible ideas as to how to review one of their current courses or develop a new
course over the summer; they will share the outcome of their work with one another during a ½
day retreat at the inception of the Fall Semester.
BENEFITS
The initiative promotes faculty development and cross-disciplinary conversation. The workshop intends
to convene 15-20 UM faculty members from a variety of disciplines and encourage discussion about
how issues of sustainability connect with their disciplines. In addition, they will discuss pedagogical
strategies that facilitate student learning about those issues
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 6 – RELF
REVOLVING ENERGY LOAN FUND (RELF)
Overview: Students at the University of Montana have created a Revolving Energy Loan Fund (RELF) which allows students to propose projects
that save energy on campus using money generated through a $4 per semester optional student Sustainability Fee. Projects funded by the RELF
must demonstrate quantifiable savings and a return on investment. Future energy costs saving must be used to repay the RELF, thereby allowing
the fund to be self-sustaining over time. Funded projects will reduce annual operating expenses, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and lower
energy costs.
Eligibility: All projects must originate from the student body or have the backing of a student or class to be considered for funding. Should
there be times when no feasible student proposals exist or do not reserve all available funding then proposals from faculty, administrators,
Facilities Services or other University entities will receive consideration. Projects should involve auxiliary buildings. These include:
• University Center (UC)*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
On-Campus Housing (Residence Halls, University Villages, Lewis & Clark Village)
•
•
•
•
Demonstrated student involvement in proposal development and project implementation
UM FLAT (Forum for Living with Appropriate Technology)
Fitness and Recreation Center*
Adams Center*
Grizzly Pool*
Lommasson Center*
Curry Health Center*
Todd Building (Continuing Education)*
Lubrecht Experimental Forest
* Buildings that energy audits have been performed
Loan Uses: Loans and awards from the fund may be used for projects that support energy conservation and efficiency. Project proposals must
demonstrate student participation, which could involve researching project ideas, loan payback, implementation costs, and environmental
benefits. New construction and major remodeling projects are not eligible for loans at this time.
Loan Payback: Loan repayment schedules will be determined on a case-by-case basis between the RELF Committee and the entity receiving
funds. No payback longer than six years will be allowed.
Project Categories: Project must fit into one of the following categories:
1. Quantifiable Energy Savings through reduction of purchased electricity or natural gas or generation of renewable energy.
2. Quantifiable Resource Conservation through projects that result in lowered consumption of fuel, water, paper, purchased materials, other
utilities, etc.
3. Plausible Energy Savings and/or Resource Conservation benefits through projects that aim to promote a specific behavior or use education,
information or communications to positively impact campus sustainability.
Projects belonging to one of the latter two categories need not have a quantifiable savings. However, the RELF Committee will use a total of no
more than 20% of the annual funds allocated by the RELF for these types of projects.
Timeline: Project proposals will be accepted semi-annually once a semester. The deadline for applications for Spring 2010 is Friday, April 9 at
3 pm. The RELF Committee will make funding decisions by Friday, April 30, 2010.
Loan and Award Amounts: There is no minimum amount for funding projects. For 2010-11, the RELF Committee expects to make $60,000
available for projects and seeks to fund a variety of projects in order to encourage student involvement.
Duration of Projects: Projects must be completed by May 15, 2011. Unused funds will not be available for use after that date.
Selection Criteria
Proposal selection by the RELF Committee will be based on various criteria, including but not limited to the following:
• Completeness and quality of the application
•
•
•
Documentation of energy savings and/or conservation of resources
Documentation of environmental benefits and impacts;
Documentation of cost effectiveness and duration of loan pay-back period (projects with shorter payback periods or greater
reductions for lower costs will receive higher ratings)
Creativity and innovation
Ability to improve energy efficiency or resource conservation awareness on campus
Ability of project to be successfully completed in one year
Application and Review Procedures
1. Download the Proposal Application and Proposal Instructions. Complete the Word document and print it to obtain required signatures.
2. Make an appointment with the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator to discuss project proposal. The ASUM Sustainability Coordinator will work
with the applicant as a resource to help develop the idea and make the necessary contacts. The ASUM Sustainability Coordinator can be reached
at 243-4856 or asum.sustain@umontan.edu.
3. Applicants are expected to work with the appropriate head of department or work unit head, such as a building manager, to develop projects
and to obtain their approval signature.
4. All proposals should be submitted to the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator by the deadline, which is Friday, April 9, 2010 at 3 pm.
5. Proposals submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by RELF Committee, which will make project approval decisions.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
6. Project applicants and appropriate building managers and department heads will be notified in writing of the RELF Committee decision by the
RELF Committee Chair or her/his designee.
Contact Erica Bloom at 406-243-4856, asum.sustain@mso.umt.edu
OR Robin Saha at 406-243-6285, robin.saha@mso.umt.edu for more information.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 7 - FS Energy Savings Projects
Federal and state stimulus money has been earmarked for construction projects on
campus meant to upgrade inefficient equipment and infrastructure and save
energy. Much of the projects were created based upon a campus-wide audit to
assess energy use and the condition of energy facilities.
A few of the projects include lighting upgrades, variable-air-volume terminal unit
retrofits, steam trap replacements, digital controls, heat recovery, and variable
frequency drives on pumps and air handling units. We are completing these in
phases for management and coordination concerns, and expect to be completed
with much of the first phase by the end of 2010. Many of these projects also
include deferred maintenance work which is not intended to save energy, but
rather to address life safety and code issues as well as program accreditation.
Per Alex Zimmerman, Engineer in UM Planning & Construction
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 8 – UM Recycling Program 2009-2010: accomplishments, challenges,
priorities
The UM Recycling program continued to improve during 2010. The most notable accomplishments
are: streamlining the collection process, increased kinds & quantity of recyclables collected, increased
purity of materials sent to Allied Waste Recycling, and improvement of equipment used in the Recycling
shop.
Collection of recyclables on campus is by far the most time and effort consuming task due to wide
spread collection sites. The process was streamlined by reducing the number of sites in some buildings:
Education, Forestry, University Center, Music, Aber H., Pantzer H., Miller H., Elrod H., University
Villages and Lewis and Clark Apartments. Ideally one recycling station per building will make the most
effective and efficient collection process.
By streamlining collection, more recyclables were collected. The most spectacular increase was in
cardboard, from about 5,000 lbs per month to about 11,000 lbs per month. Mixed paper (20,00025,000lbs per month) and newspaper (20,000 lbs per month) come close to the total quantity generated on
campus. Aluminum, tin and plastics have stayed at about the same levels.
Recyclables collected on campus have been expanded to include: wooden box pallets, aluminum,
copper, brass, and steel from Facilities Services trade shops (as opposed to the former “metals pile”), and
office rechargeable batteries.
Sorting of the collected materials is still a “bottleneck” in the recycling process. The quality of sorting
has been increased by specializing 3 to 4 students in sorting; hence, a higher purity of baled materials was
sent to Allied Waste (plastics, aluminum, tin and cardboard).
The equipment of the shop has been augmented by replacing the 60 cu ft cardboard baler with one 30
cu yd dumpster and one 25 cu yd compactor that resulted in time and effort savings.
In the past year, prices for recyclables dropped, resulting in a decrease in revenues to the Recycling
program. At the same time, costs have gone up, in part due to the new requirement to recycle electronic
equipment, an increase in the student population, and new campus buildings to service. The UM
Recycling Committee requested additional funding from VP Duringer who arranged for recycling to
receive an additional $20,000 for electronic recycling. In addition, the committee decided to reduce
services offered at Married Student Housing to cut costs.
A high priority of UM Recycling is achieving a regular pickup schedule to reduce fire hazard & keep
recycling stations uncluttered. The Recycling Oversight Committee has concluded that to achieve this, the
program needs at least one more full time employee, a reduction of recycling stations to one per building,
and replacement of the two gasoline trucks with specialized electric vehicles with trailers for on campus
collection.
Submitted by Recycling Oversight Committee co-chairs Vicki Watson & Edi Stan, 4-16-2010.
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 9 – SCC Award Recipients 2010
Jack Mondloch, Custodial Services Supervisor in Facilities Services.
Jack has been testing and using green cleaning products for a few years now and has been
supportive in creating the green cleaning policy on campus. He attended and brought his staff to
the green cleaning party that students hosted in the fall. He has been a pleasure to work with, and
a great resource for student projects in the Environmental Studies department.
Nicky Phear
Nicky, another behind-the-scenes mover and shaker, is well known for her accomplishments
throughout Missoula (and probably across Western Montana, through her contacts with
Wilderness and Civilization), but yet is another sustainability hero who has not been given the
respect and commendation she has earned. As the primary driver behind the establishment of the
nation’s first ever degree in climate change, Nicky has set the bar for the pursuit of education
in sustainability, climate science, human relationships with the environment, and more. As the
coordinator of the Wilderness and Civilization Program (of which I am an alum) for many years,
Nicky has introduced hundreds of students to the most prominent conservation issues facing
western Montana, facilitating connections between students and conservation leaders, and
establishing internship programs that have led to future employment (which she is also doing
with the Climate Change Studies Minor). Nicky’s efforts have resulted in a passionate
community of Wilderness and Civilization students and alumnae who are disproportionately
represented in environmental student groups and Missoula non-profits. Nicky has created an
outstanding network of environmentally conscious individuals, and I would not be as involved or
as connected with Montana’s conservation community if it were not for her work. In addition,
she has been an excellent mentor and faculty advisor for UM CAN, providing advice and
assistance when we need it most, but giving us total freedom to operate as we choose. Finally,
few others give their time and dedication to causes in the way that Nicky does, and she deserves
the utmost recognition for her contributions to this school.
Zack Porter - student in Geography
Zack works as the co-president of Climate Action Now and has made significant contributions to
campus sustainability on many levels. This year he has been involved in coordinating UM CAN
sustainable dorm committees, RELF proposals, and orientation meetings. He was very vocal
about setting a 2020 carbon neutrality date for the Climate Action Plan, and always motivates
other students to become involved in environmental initiatives. He is also active in the Tar
Sands meetings, a campaign currently underway in Missoula to block trucks from driving
through Missoula to the Canadian Tar Sands. When he is not promoting campus sustainability,
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Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) – Annual Report 2009-2010
APPENDIX 9 – SCC Award Recipients 2010 - continued
Zack interns for the Montana Wilderness Association, drawing support for Senator Tester’s
Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.
Bob Duringer
There is no question in my mind, that if we are to award one member of UM's administration,
Bob Duringer has earned it. To begin with, Bob is not an inherently sustainability-minded guy probably far from it. Conservation and climate change are not his driving causes, and nobody
would expect anything different from the primary business man on campus. However, these
facts only serve to make Bob's efforts this past year all the more impressive and award-worthy not less. Bob has been more than willing to host UM CAN in his office, and to devote an hour at
a time to meetings with us about the UM Climate Action Plan and the future of sustainability on
campus. He has become a friend and an ally in the climate change movement at UM, and he has
already exercised great power. Without Bob's support, 2020 would not have become a reality,
and he has thrown himself full-bore into the process of reducing UM's carbon footprint. In just
one semester, we have taken great strides towards developing a social marketing campaign to
influence behavior on campus, and towards constructing a top-notch, small scale biomass facility
to provide base power generation for the University. And more is in the works. Bob Duringer
has discovered the business opportunity that sustainability presents to UM, and we should reward
what he has done and encourage future actions on behalf of UM's carbon footprint. He has
demonstrated great respect for UM CAN, the ASUM Sustainability Office, and the UM Office of
Sustainability, and we should make sure that he remains a friend as we work towards the 2020
deadline.
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