Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation Plan

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) has an excellent record of contributing extremely low amounts of carbon to the atmosphere.  In 2009, UMR contributed 0.6 metric tons of CO2e per full-time enrollment and 4.0 metric tons of CO2e per 1000 square feet.  UMR is committed to reaching a climate neutrality target of reducing net emissions 2% by 2013. 

UMR is a new campus beginning only its second year of undergraduate education.  Currently, we lease space in a shopping mall and utilize existing community resources for our needs.  Our hope is that as we grow, we can protect the policies and initiatives that give us our current low-carbon status.  Those policies/initiatives include:

• continue to use community resources and infra-structure.  For example, why should we build a dining hall when there are many varied food options within walking distance of our campus?  UMR has also partnered with the Rochester Family Y to provide students with recreational and student activities space, along with student work/study employment.
• continue to utilize technology to decrease our need to travel to other University of Minnesota campuses.  We are part of a system; this requires us to pursue relationships with four other campuses.  Fortunately, UMR has more ITV equipped rooms than any campus in the University of Minnesota system.  In addition, we can easily communicate with others using UMConnect and PolyCom; we discourage driving to other campuses unless there is no other technological option.
• continue to use only hybrid technology if driving is necessary.  Also, we will continue to utilize an online reservation system to facilitate carpooling to off-campus meetings.
• continue to purchase furniture made largely of recycled materials.
• continue to use automatic light switches in all common areas.
• continue our aluminum, plastic and paper recycling plan.  We will work within the mall where UMR is located to expand recycling opportunities beyond UMR’s borders.
• continue to utilize a state-of-the-art heating and cooling system of pumps to regulate temperatures over a 24-hour period.
• continue to work with interested and energetic students.

And, the most important policy/initiative:

• continue to plan future building and expansion with sustainability as a major factor.  For example, UMR has entered into a public/private partnership with a local firm to develop a mixed-use retail, office, classroom and residential development.