Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.77
Liaison Paul Edlund
Submission Date May 31, 2023

STARS v2.2

Montana State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Kieran Wilder
Data Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Measurable sustainability objectives 

Academics

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Diversity and Inclusion Plan:
A) Develop and implement educational and co-curricular practices,
programs, initiatives, training and courses that increase cultural
attunement, foster self-exploration, improve understanding of
diversity issues, promote meaningful engagement with those from
different contexts/backgrounds, and prepare students for diverse
living, learning and work environments.
B) Evaluate Diversity Core classes and consider creating a “diversity
across the curriculum” initiative.
C) Develop curricula for inside and outside of the classroom that foster
cultural competency and different ways of knowing.
D) Increase faculty preparedness and competency with teaching students
about diversity and creating inclusive learning environments.
E) Consider providing resources to departments addressing diversity and
inclusion topics in the curriculum.

MSU Strategic Plan:
Metric E.2.1: By 2019, the percentage of MSU students participating in cross-cultural study, work or service experiences, incorporating both academic preparation and post-experience reflection, will double.

Climate Action Plan:
6.3) Montana State University will be expanding online distance education, a vehicle that enables us to reach out and meet the diverse educational needs of students in every corner of this state.

Engagement 

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
MSU Strategic Plan: Choosing Promise

Metric 3.2.4: New workforce and academic degree programs will be tailored to demonstrated state and regional needs with attention to national trends.

Metric 3.3: Montana State University and its students, faculty, and staff engage in a reciprocal relationship that values each member and improves the university environment.

Diversity and Inclusion Plan:
A) Implement and invest in collaborative, creative programs, speakers
and events to improve campus climate for diverse students, faculty,
staff, community constituents and campus guests.
B) Support service learning, faculty-led travel and exchange/study abroad
experiences within the U.S. and internationally.
C) Infuse diversity into student leadership development, service and co-curricular
activities.
D) Develop and implement educational and co-curricular practices,
programs, initiatives, training and courses that increase cultural
attunement, foster self-exploration, improve understanding of
diversity issues, promote meaningful engagement with those from
different contexts/backgrounds, and prepare students for diverse
living, learning and work environments.

Operations

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Climate Action Plan:
" MSU-Bozeman’s efforts to control the energy usage escalation rate will be continuously adapted to achieve a maximum of 0.25 percent annual growth rate in total energy (including Scope 3) with an annual goal of holding a flat, or negative growth trend."

Administration

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Strategic Plan: Choosing Promise

Metric 1.1.1: Enrollment of students who are economically disadvantaged, first generation, veterans, adult learners, individuals with disabilities and from underrepresented races and ethnicities will increase in each group’s share of the student body by two points by 2024.

Metric 1.1.6: Montana State University will increase retention (from 72% to 85%) and six-year graduation (from 48% to 60%) rates for all incoming Montana State students and will reduce disparities for students who are economically disadvantaged, first generation, veterans, adult learners, individuals with disabilities and from underrepresented races and ethnicities by 2024.

Part 2. Sustainability in institution’s highest guiding document

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme

Optional Fields

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
No

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability No
SDG Accord No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment No
The Talloires Declaration (TD) No
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) No

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Montana State University signed onto the ACUPCC in 2008.

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.