Student to gauge sustainability

The University of Montana made a step toward an environmentally sustainable campus Wednesday when ASUM created a new position for a climate commitment student coordinator.

A graduate student will fill this position for nine months as an intern, receiving both credit and pay. ASUM appropriated $3,300 of its own funds for the job, which will be provided along with $1,000 from the Sustainable Campus Committee.

The intern will work on issues pertaining to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment that President George Dennison signed in February.

“By this February, we as a university must put out a report of our greenhouse gas emissions,” said ASUM President Dustin Leftridge.

For a report on greenhouse gas emissions to be produced, measurements must be taken at different points across campus of greenhouse gases, complete with suggestions on how to counteract them. 

The goal is climate neutrality. After improvements, the University’s negative impact on the environment, such as carbon dioxide emissions, should not be greater than its positive contribution, which includes plant-life.

Debate arose in the ASUM about whether it is ASUM’s responsibility to pay for a coordinator to address these issues, or if Dennison should be taking charge because he was the person who committed the University.

“I think the president has not lived up to the dream on this,” said Senator Jedediah Cox. “It should be the University and the state of Montana funding this, not the students.”

Making the campus climate neutral will require commitment from Dennison in the long run. After the intern has completed reports and made recommendations, the University will have to follow through with projects that will likely be very costly, Leftridge said. 

Included among these may be new hybrid vehicles and efficient energy sources.

Within two years of signing the climate commitment, an institutional action plan must be in place including a target date for climate neutrality, research efforts on achieving neutrality, mechanisms to track progress and the addition of sustainability as part of the curriculum.