Strategy 1.4 Action Plan

Strategy 1.4: Embed sustainable values into all aspects of the University, including curriculum, operations, and external partnerships.

Successful Outcomes:

  • Successful progression toward targets outlined in the NMU Carbon Neutrality Plan
  • Achieve AASHE STARS score of 85, earning the highest sustainability rating of Platinum.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Environmental impact - Carbon emissions, Energy consumption, Water usage, Waste reduction, Recycling rates
  • Social impact - Campus sustainability knowledge, Community engagement
  • Economic impact - Divestment, Ethical purchasing, Utility savings
  • Conduct a baseline assessment to understand what is in NMU's waste stream; set targets to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill; increase NMU's recycling and compost rates.
  • Develop robust campus move-out and move-in programming that diverts waste from the landfill; repurposes home goods & student-owned furniture; and properly recycles cardboard, electronics, and other materials.
  • Convert 50% of all the lighting on NMU’s campus to be LED by 2030 (approx. 12,500 MWh of electricity is purchased per year for campus lighting); 100% by 2040.
  • Installation of a 75kW solar array on the roof of the new WellBeing Center (could provide 80,000 kWh/year).
  • Create a sustainable living demonstration area with food, forests, and Indigenous traditions and practices
  • Expand post-consumer composting systems on campus
  • Eliminate petroleum-based products and offer as many compostable and/or recyclable items at concessions as possible.
  • Gather data for an initial Scope 3 assessment; building toward a baseline
  • In cooperation with the Marquette Board of Light and Power (MBLP), evaluate the potential of an off-campus installation and operation of a ground-mounted solar PV system to serve 89% of NMU’s electrical demand (15 MW).
  • Evaluate the potential to transition from natural gas to renewable fuel (e.g., woodchip/ biomass or RNG / recovered methane) at the Ripley Plant.
  • Create an Indigenous-informed sustainability curriculum focused on deba'ookii (has enough to give away, has enough for everyone)
  • Create a living-learning community focused on sustainability and/or food systems
  • Work toward implementing bird-friendly practices on campus (e.g., reduce bird kills with glass collision, turn down the lights during migration periods, and make sure that native species of plants are available for birds and pollinators).