Data Collection

In order to achieve our sustainability goals, we must understand the current conditions of resource use and culture on campus. Because of this, data collection plays an important role in our work. 

Highlighted Initiatives:

Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Tracking System (STARS) – STARS is a self-reporting platform for sustainability efforts among colleges and universities. STARS allows universities to measure sustainability efforts and map our progress in all facets of university life, including academics, operations, and administrative leadership. UM completed its first STARS report in 2019, earning a bronze designation for sustainability performance. The Office of Sustainability is preparing a narrative to accompany the report, which will be available in spring 2020.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory – The University of Mississippi has  conducted assessments of campus emissions and their sources. Efforts to update the assessment are ongoing.

Transportation Survey – The Office of Sustainability, through partnerships with the Office of Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Planning and Parking and Transportation, collects annual commuter data to measure and compare current transportation practices.  

Internal Data Collection Efforts

In addition to the initiatives above, our office makes an effort to incorporate some aspect of data collection into all our programming and events. An overview of the data collected from the compost program can be obtained here.