Sustainability Plan

UofM Sustainability Mission:

The University of Memphis serves as a model for practices supporting urban based ecologically-friendly sustainability that preserve the earth's resources and promote a high quality of life for mankind. Behave today in a way that produces a equal or better environment for those who live in the future.

We will:

Goal One: Stewardship of the Built Environment

(design, space use, how we modify the natural environment and operate these structures)

Progressive planning and smart growth
- - Metric: Master plan
Green architecture and ecologically sensitive design
- - Metric: Adopt guidelinesUse sustainable building guidelines for construction and renovation
  - New Living Learning Complex meeting Leeds Silver standards
  - Terra House
  - Design and build a new enclosure and xeriscaping for the recycling area along DeSoto Street using sustainable design and construction practices.
Efficient and reliable transportation systems
- - Promote shared riding
    - Developing University/Community Transportation plan
  - Reduce travel/transport distances
    - Purchase locally produced food and materials
    - Encourage telecommuting
  - Encourage non-fossil fuel transportation
    - Use of electric service vehicles on campus
    - Hybrid SUV for police services
    - Use of bicycles and electric carts to patrol campus rather than police cars

Goal Two: Stewardship of the Natural Environment

Environmentally and biodiversity friendly infrastructure and waste management
- - Responsible recycling of waste materials
    - E-recycling event with Apple
Maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity of plants and animals
- - Use native trees, turf and shrubs
    - Shift to native plants in campus landscaping
Promotion of organic-regional agriculture
- - Purchase locally produced organic foods where savings
    - TIGUrS Urban Sustainability Garden
    - Graduate Assistantship coordinating urban gardens with neighborhoods
Energy conservation and enhancement of renewable energy
- - Reduce electrical and Natural Gas consumption
    - Lights out, motion sensor lighting, computers off "Power Down" Program
    - Use Energy Star appliances
    - Solar panels, alternative energy sources
    - Summer and winter temperature controls
    - Echles Field Lighting Replacement
    - Motion Sensors
    - Carbon Sequestration Pilot Project
    - HVAC Energy Savings Projects
  - On-site production of clean energy
    - Use of cooking oil to power police vehicles
  - Purchase Green Power
    - We purchase XX amount
Advanced water conservation and efficiency
- - Recycle runoff water
Elimination to the extent possible of human exposure to toxic and biologically active substances
- - Integrated pest management
    - Landscape and Housing Services are selecting environmentally sensitive products

Goal Three: Build a campus culture of sustainability

Communicate and market sustainable practices
- - University of Memphis projects, research, and accomplishments
  - Recycling awareness programs
  - Sustainability conferences, events, campaigns and workshops
    - Sustainable Technology Awareness Day
    - Biology Department Program, "Institutionalizing Recycling Behavior at the UofM"
Offer incentives and provide recognition of sustainability practices
- - Green Fee
Sponsor sustainability competitions
Integrate sustainable living information into student programs
- - Freshman orientation
  - Frosh Camp
  - Modular courses for resident hall RA's
  - ACAD and honors sustainability courses
Policies of sustainability

Goal Four: Integrate Sustainability into the curriculum and research

Integrate sustainability into the curriculum
- - Chair for Sustainable Real Estate, Fogelman College of Business and Economics
  - My Community, Our Earth: Geographic Learning for Sustainable Development Project
Establish sustainability focused courses and academic programs
- - Interdisciplinary undergraduate sustainability degree program in Arts and Sciences
  - Environmental policy program
  - Concentration and/or degree sustainability programs
Promote sustainability research
- - Ecological Research Center
  - Center for Biofuel Energy and Sustainable Technologies
  - Sustainable Real Estate Chair of Excellence
  - Fuel Ethanol Production System
Foster interdisciplinary research addressing community, regional, national and global sustainability issues
- - Partner with community and regional sustainability initiatives

Goal Five: Engage with the community to advance sustainability

Develop and execute a sustainability plan with surrounding neighborhoods and businesses

Urban Gardening Program in partnership with HARC
Partner with other higher education institutions in advancing sustainability learning, research and practices
Partner with Memphis community and region in sustainability initiatives
- - Partner with Shelby County Sustainability Initiative
  - Conference on Sustainable Real Estate, "Memphis: Global Hub City"
  - Growing Greener: A Prosperous Shift with Sustainable Planning and Economic Development Conference, April 30, 2010
  - University Neighborhood Partnership