If you’re interested in applying sustainable strategies at the interface of science, technology, business, and public policy, the University of Minnesota may be the place for you. A number of student groups with a sustainability focus already exist on campus; these provide opportunities for learning and to be involved in the campus community. A number of University organizations carry out research into sustainability practices and make students a part of their team. One of the participating organizations, the Water Resources Center, educates both students and the community by funding research, partnering with local farmers, and providing opportunities for students to work directly with professionals in the water resources field. The University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment offers a sustainability minor, one of the first sustainability minors in the country. The institute sponsors Frontiers in the Environment, a professional lecture series, offers opportunities for research, and sponsors the Acara Challenge courses which awards funding to student-led social ventures that aim to improve global water, food, transportation, and other quality of life issues. Lectures and seminars hosted by the Institute in the Environment are often free and open to students and the public and speakers have included major figures in academia, business leaders, and environmental activists. Other programs include: River Life, The University of Minnesota’s Recycling Program, the “It All Adds Up” campaign to reduce emissions, and Helmets and Headlights, which provides bicycle equipment to the campus community for an affordable price. The university is also a member of the Founding Circle for the “Billion Dollar Green Challenge, ” which encourages participating colleges and universities to collectively invest a total of $1 billion in self-managed revolving funds that finance energy efficiency improvements.
School Has Formal Sustainability Committee
Sustainability-focused degree available
School employs a sustainability officer
Public GHG inventory plan
% food budget spent on local/organic food
Available Transportation Alternatives
Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program
Condensed Work Week Option For Employees
Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle
Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus
Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters
Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers
School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling
School Developed Bicycle Plan
School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees
Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2017.
