Sustainable UMass ADQUAD External Review Final Report

Through the breadth and excellence of its operational and academic activities, the Sustainable UMass program has had considerable success in the past five years; achieving a position of prominence and leadership in the sustainability arena as reflected in national higher education awards. Remarkably, this has been spearheaded by a relatively small group of dedicated people working together as an informal, ad hoc coalition of personnel in Physical Plant, Campus Planning, Auxiliary Services, Transportation Services, the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Isenberg School of Management, the Library, and University Relations, among others. However, as currently configured, this coalition alone will likely NOT be able to deliver the next level of necessary sustainability initiatives. For Sustainable UMass to maintain its front‐running status, a more supportive set of emergent organization practices and operational arrangements must be set in place along with a public commitment to sustainability to be made by the Chancellor and his leadership team. As noted in the Findings, Observations and Recommendations of this report, such transformation must be integrated with the university’s current planning process; specifically, the recommendations include: 1) structural reconfigurations; 2) new operational tactics; and 3) models of best practice (used at other campuses) which can assist in the development of the next steps in the Sustainable UMass program. Findings: The current successes of the Sustainable UMass program provide a platform from which to build; these include: Early leadership and commitments from pioneers within the organization in the areas of research, academic program development, and support departments. Investment in strengthening core campus facilities such as installation of the new Co‐Gen plant. Extensive student and cross‐departmental involvement. Forward thinking programs in food systems, permaculture and dining. A campus culture which values experiential learning, A nationally‐recognized Eco‐Rep program. An innovative sustainability program in library services