About the Sustainability Initiative

The UMass Dartmouth Office of Campus and Community Sustainability organizes intellectual working space for the vibrant, disparate, network of interests and activities related to sustainability that exists on campus and in the region.The Institute's primary goals are to establish academic programs that advance the knowledge of sustainability; increase the grants funds and research opportunities awarded to the University; and forge partnerships to become a regional center for conversations and events spotlighting sustainable practices and technologies.The Institute was proposed in 2006 by faculty, staff, and student members of the Sustainability Committee.

Our History

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Sustainability Committee was chartered on April 17, 2001 by Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack and Provost Thomas J. Curry who said:

"Sustainability is a priority on this campus. As the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future has written, 'Sustainability implies that the major activities on campus are ecologically sound, socially just, economically viable and humane, and that they will continue to be so for future generations.' We must strive for this in our teaching, research, operations, and public service. This is consistent with our vision for the future as expressed in our Strategic Plan and in our commitment to be 'engaged, evolving and embedded in the community.'

"In education, we should strive to graduate future professionals, decision makers, leaders, and teachers who are environmentally literate and responsible.

In our research, we should better understand the interrelationships between environmental protection, economic opportunity, and social equity.

In our public service, we should assist businesses, non-profits, governments, and citizens to improve their opportunity and quality of life while reducing their environmental footprint and social inequity.

In our operations, we should practice what we preach and be a model for new technologies and practices that reduce waste and pollution, saving energy and money."

Given this inspiring charge, students, staff and faculty formed an oversight committee and four subcommittees dedicated to infusing the principles of sustainability in four major areas of campus activity: Curriculum, Research, Public Service, and Facilities/Operations.

Get involved! All community members - students, faculty, staff, alumni/ae, emeriti/ae - are invited to join the oversight committee, which meets four times each year, as well as any subcommittee. If you would like to participate, please contact us and be prepared to work with us on our challenging agenda to improve the quality of life in our region.