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2017 Sustainability Progress Report
 

Straw House: Locally sourced, student-built

Twenty-two U-M undergraduates created the first off-the-grid straw bale structure using ancient building techniques located on a hilltop overlooking Douglas Lake at the U-M Biological Station.

Led by professor, Joe Trumpey, an associate professor in the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and the Program in the Environment, the project is part of the Green Building class at U-M. The students spent 31 days building the structure made of straw, adobe plaster and a metal roof. A solar array will provide for the building’s electricity needs, and basic plumbing is in place if the biological station wants to complete that installation in the future.

 

Architecture students engaged learning

Students in an engaged learning workshop called Practice Sessions mocked-up a design of a solar umbrella roof for a former wallpaper factory that now is a graduate art center at UCLA.  

Practice Sessions is a project funded by the university’s Third Century Initiative. U-M leadership dedicated $25 million to faculty and staff projects that promised to transform learning as the university, celebrating its bicentennial this year, defined education for its next century.

 

New school, new leader

Jonathan Overpeck, one of the nation’s leading experts on climate change, joined U-M in June as the inaugural dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability. SEAS grew from the former School of Natural Resources and Environment and was created to further advance the university’s global leadership in sustainability and environmental research and education. With its porous boundaries, SEAS provides leadership and works collaboratively with other schools, institutes and programs at the university to develop solutions to the most challenging global sustainability issues facing society.

Planet Blue Begins with You

Discover how you can make an impact in U-M sustainability efforts

Learn more

Goal Progress

Exploring new approaches

Learn how U-M is addressing climate action, waste prevention, healthy environments and community awareness and engagement.

Learn more about our goals
  • $100 million invested toward more sustainable campus operations

Twenty-two U-M undergraduates created the first off-the-grid straw bale structure using ancient building techniques located on a hilltop overlooking Douglas Lake at the U-M Biological Station.

Led by professor, Joe Trumpey, an associate professor in the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and the Program in the Environment, the project is part of the Green Building class at U-M. The students spent 31 days building the structure made of straw, adobe plaster and a metal roof. A solar array will provide for the building’s electricity needs, and basic plumbing is in place if the biological station wants to complete that installation in the future.

Student Engagement

Developing passion and potential

U-M students are embarking on a powerful journey of learning — within and beyond the classroom — that spans disciplines and instills the knowledge and skills required to become future sustainability leaders.

View Student Engagement highlights

Research

Breaking new ground

At U-M, many disciplines are coming together to solve complex sustainability challenges and improve lives on local-to-global scales through groundbreaking discoveries.

View Research highlights

Planet Blue Begins with You

Discover how you can make an impact in U-M sustainability efforts

Learn more

Goal Progress

Exploring new approaches

Learn how U-M is addressing climate action, waste prevention, healthy environments and community awareness and engagement.

Learn more about our goals
  • $100 million invested toward more sustainable campus operations

Students in an engaged learning workshop called Practice Sessions mocked-up a design of a solar umbrella roof for a former wallpaper factory that now is a graduate art center at UCLA.  

Practice Sessions is a project funded by the university’s Third Century Initiative. U-M leadership dedicated $25 million to faculty and staff projects that promised to transform learning as the university, celebrating its bicentennial this year, defined education for its next century.

Student Engagement

Developing passion and potential

U-M students are embarking on a powerful journey of learning — within and beyond the classroom — that spans disciplines and instills the knowledge and skills required to become future sustainability leaders.

View Student Engagement highlights

Research

Breaking new ground

At U-M, many disciplines are coming together to solve complex sustainability challenges and improve lives on local-to-global scales through groundbreaking discoveries.

View Research highlights

Planet Blue Begins with You

Discover how you can make an impact in U-M sustainability efforts

Learn more

Goal Progress

Exploring new approaches

Learn how U-M is addressing climate action, waste prevention, healthy environments and community awareness and engagement.

Learn more about our goals
  • $100 million invested toward more sustainable campus operations

Jonathan Overpeck, one of the nation’s leading experts on climate change, joined U-M in June as the inaugural dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability. SEAS grew from the former School of Natural Resources and Environment and was created to further advance the university’s global leadership in sustainability and environmental research and education. With its porous boundaries, SEAS provides leadership and works collaboratively with other schools, institutes and programs at the university to develop solutions to the most challenging global sustainability issues facing society.

Student Engagement

Developing passion and potential

U-M students are embarking on a powerful journey of learning — within and beyond the classroom — that spans disciplines and instills the knowledge and skills required to become future sustainability leaders.

View Student Engagement highlights

Research

Breaking new ground

At U-M, many disciplines are coming together to solve complex sustainability challenges and improve lives on local-to-global scales through groundbreaking discoveries.

View Research highlights