
The University of Maryland Office of Sustainability supports and advances environmental performance, economic prosperity, and social equality through a variety of initiatives. The staff facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable policies, practices, and curricula for the campus community by:
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Educating the campus community about sustainability
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Developing sustainability programming that affects student education and campus operations
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Fostering collaboration between units of the university and external resources
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Consulting with campus departments (administrative and academic) to find ways of reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainability
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Coordinating efforts to meet the goals of the Carbon Commitment and Climate Action Plan
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Measuring and reporting on campus sustainability efforts
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Providing outreach to individuals and organizations both internal and external to the university
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Supporting the University Sustainability Council
The office was formed in the summer of 2007 following the signing of the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. The university has had a long standing commitment to environmental stewardship. However, the focus on sustainability began in 2002 with the completion of the Facilities Master Plan and the first national sustainability conference: Beyond Compliance – Campus Greening Through Stewardship. Sustainability efforts expanded over the next four years through a variety of efforts by individuals and campus departments. In 2005 and 2007, UMD joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several national higher education organizations to sponsor and host the Smart & Sustainable Campuses Conferences. In the spring of 2007, the University issued its first Campus Sustainability Report. The Office of Sustainability is administered by the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability and Risk and reports to the Vice President of Administration & Finance.