What We Do
Mavericks for Sustainability is a collection of University efforts for sustainability.
Initiatives
Carbon Footprint, Climate Action Plan, Sustainability Fund, Guaranteed Energy Savings Programs and more.
Environmental Committee
The committee that meets and manages sustainability events and programs across the Minnesota State Mankato campus.
Academic
Course listings within each of the Colleges related to environment and sustainability.
Departments
Departments across the University related to environment and sustainability.
Applied Research Centers
Research centers within the College of Science, Engineering & Technology
Urban and Regional Studies Institute (URSI)
The Urban and Regional Studies Institute is for students inspired by the idea of improving cities, towns and communities through strong and experienced leadership
The Water Resources Center is a regional center for environmental research and information exchange. We work to improve water resources in southern Minnesota through applied research, planning, educational programming, and community engagement.
Automotive Engineering Technology Labs
The AET Program teaches theory, communication, research, and technical skills using lecture, group projects, and lab assignments. Innovative teaching methods and new technology applications require continuous updating of facilities.
EARTH Systems Laboratory
An interdisciplinary lab of scientific research that brings together Earth Science, Archeology, and Physical Geography. Research center for addressing both theoretical and applied scientific questions related to cultural heritage preservation, human-environment interactions, soils, erosional processes (e.g. rivers, glaciers, and wind), climate change, environmental change, natural hazards (e.g. landslides), and more.
Transportation Services
100% Electric Maverick Shuttle - Fall 2024
Campus Wellness
Wellness is an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of choices and making decisions toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Mavericks for Clean Air - The tobacco and smoke-free campus policy supports the University's goal of creating a healthy environment for all. As of January 1, 2012, University facilities, buildings, and grounds are smoke, tobacco and vaping free. Faculty and Staff Wellness Committee promotes a work site culture that supports employees’ desire to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management
We are committed to supporting the University's mission and values by sustaining and enhancing a safe and healthy environment for Minnesota State Mankato. Our goals are to keep the campus community safe by mitigating the risk of injury, reducing our impact on the environment, and maintaining compliance within the areas of workplace, lab, and fire safety.
Green Spaces
Carefully selected blend of more sustainable, less water consumptive perennials replace a portion of the shorter-lived, water and labor intensive annuals. The blooming period will be extended and water will be conserved through this initiative.
Old growth will be composted and returned to the earth to help fertilize future plantings.
Indoor Air Quality
Department of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management is responsible for minimizing the environmental impact of activities conducted here at Minnesota State Mankato. These activities include, but are not limited to, emissions control, hazardous waste management, asbestos abatement, and chemical spill responses.
Dining Services
Dining Services has various sustainability initiatives to reduce food waste and promote recycling. Ninety percent of the paper goods used across the University Dining are compostable. In addition, an effective program called Waste Watch, powered by Leanpath, is used to track food waste, which allows for cooks to be more efficient, therefore resulting in less food waste and less carbon emission. Since turning more to compost, Dining Service’s food waste has reduced from a previous 50 trash bags per day to only two.
