Sustainability at MSUM

At Minnesota State University Moorhead, students, faculty and staff are committed to implementing sustainable objectives. The campus community embraces collaboration to spur progress toward a green campus for all. 

Get Involved

Students, faculty, and staff have many opportunities to get involved in on-campus sustainability.

  • Sustainable Students Association (SSA)
    • SSA is a student organization that wants to provide for a more sustainable future both on and off campus. It promotes and spreads awareness about sustainable development, education, and policy, as well as hosting several events on campus during the school year. 
  • Openings for sustainability interns become available one to two times a year, generally at the beginning of each semester. If interested, visit DragonJobs or contact the campus Sustainability Coordinator.
  • Those interested in volunteering to work in one of the campus native gardens, or other projects like the community garden or Earth Day events should contact us at the the campus Sustainability Coordinator.

Campus Sustainability Efforts

Below is a timeline of major sustainability actions MSUM has taken to achieve its goal of carbon net neutrality. 

2014

  • All newly constructed buildings on MSUM’s campus meet or exceed Minnesota’s B3 guidelines, which are equivalent to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certifications.

2016

  • During the 2016-2017 academic year, MSUM student senate voted to fund a full solar array (72 32kW panels) installed in Dilworth. MSUM receives an annual $2,400 credit through 2036 for its participation.

2020

  • Student researchers receive a Dille Grant to increase native plant species in urban areas. They utilized this funding to establish MSUM’s first native plant garden: The Hummingbird Garden. The garden surrounds a large hummingbird sculpture. The garden features 11 native plant species and is enjoyed by the MSUM campus and the larger Moorhead community.

2021

  • On Earth Day, President Anne Blackhurst signs a Sustainable Action Commitment on behalf of MSUM. As a result, the campus will implement a comprehensive carbon neutrality plan as soon as practically possible and work towards pollution reduction. 

2022

Early 2022

  • MSUM invested in removable steam insulating blankets on steam and condensate piping in the Heating Plant and main steam tunnel to allow for easy servicing maintenance. This upgrade is funded in part by a $30,000 rebate from Xcel Energy and various grants and was finished in 2022. The insulation will result in substantial fuel savings as it makes the system more efficient.

March

  • In its first year participating in the national Campus Race to Zero Waste challenge, MSUM diverted 25,650 pounds of recyclable materials from local landfills and the environment.
  • MSUM implemented reverse osmosis (RO) treated water at its heating plant. The RO water reduces fuel and chemical usage and limits the amount of water needed to power its boilers. The project cost approximately $11,700 to complete, with a $6,075 rebate from Xcel Energy offsetting much of the cost.

Summer

  • Student researchers established two more native plant gardens on the MSUM campus, in addition to expanding the already existing Hummingbird Garden. The Holmquist Hall Garden was supported by the Judith Strong Scholar Grant, with the purpose of studying the growth patterns of native plants in a location where previous, non-native species struggled to thrive. This garden has been instrumental in the research of urban native plants and environmental conditions at MSUM. At the same time, students also established MSUM’s third native garden, the Langseth Atrium Garden. This garden was designed with the specific purpose of serving as a learning and research garden for MSUM Bioscience students. The garden is frequently used for academic research, class learning, and independent study.

2024

Spring

  • MSUM Physical Plant and Sustainability interns advocated for the re-establishment of a Green Fee at MSUM. This fee is used to provide all MSUM students with free access to the MATBUS system in Fargo-Moorhead, funding a university sustainability coordinator, and future projects.

Summer

  • Physical Plant intern Gabriella Ruiz received a grant from the City of Moorhead, to establish MSUM’s first community garden. The garden will feature native plants, fruits, and vegetables, and serve as a hub for local food on the MSUM campus.

Beyond

  • MSUM’s dedication to sustainability continued to thrive through new projects all the time. As time goes on, the university will commit to more projects and larger projects to help MSUM reach its goal of bold carbon emissions reduction.