Texas A&M University (TAMU) has been a member of GCSE for 15 years, with a long history as a leader in research and education in sustainability.
Texas A&M defines sustainability as the efficient, deliberate, and responsible preservation of environmental, social, and economic resources to protect our earth for future generations of Aggies, the Texas A&M University community, and beyond. Consequently, sustainability is not only important, but rather, it plays an integral role in every dimension of our designation as an American Association of Universities Tier 1 Research University; our designation as a Land Grant Institution since 1876, and subsequent Sea Grant and Space Grant designations; and the three pillars of our academic mission – Teaching and Learning; the Discovery, Integration, & Application in Research and Creative Work; and the Engagement with Practice, Outreach, and Service.
The 2018 Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) envisions the next generation of sustainability work across the University. The SMP both builds upon successes of the last decade and aligns with other recent planning efforts at the University.The SMP also aims to: advance TAMU as a sustainability leader among its peer institutions; balance efforts and impacts of sustainability initiatives; identify metrics to evaluate sustainability successes; and establish the parties who will play critical roles in ensuring future successes.
The Aggie community is deeply committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same, with a focus on the environment, social equity and economic prosperity. Three examples of the scope and nature of this commitment include:
- Aggie Campus Initiatives from diverse administrative units and academic Colleges and Departments are actively taking steps towards sustainability. Learn more about campus initiatives.
- The Aggie Sustainability Alliance (ASA) is open to all faculty and staff, engaging participants in fostering a campus culture of sustainability through their voluntary contributions to sustainable energy and water use, transportation, food and purchasing, waste minimization, and social sustainability.
- Student Organizations are actively helping TAMU move forward through student projects and competitions. Learn more about student initiatives.
Did you know?
Texas A&M University Residence Life earned an AASHE Innovation Credit for its development of a Residence Life Sustainability Plan. TAMU Residence Life was the first housing department in North America to dedicate resources to establishing a comprehensive plan.