University of Central Missouri Hailed For Climate Support

Recognized by the ACUPCC’s Celebrating Sustainability series

April 16, 2012 — The University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO. has been recognized for its cutting-edge work in promoting environmental sustainability by the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) as a part of the “Celebrating Sustainability” series leading up to Earth Day.

The ACUPCC praised the university’s commitment to support sustainability, which is underscored through its $36.1 million investment in an ambitious campus-wide energy savings program that was launched in 2009.

The program covers approximately $20 million in deferred maintenance and $16 million in energy efficient upgrades. The upgrades include installing high-efficiency lighting throughout campus and deploying a geothermal heating and cooling system.

The combined impact of the effort is substantial with $735,000 in annualized energy consumption savings, $848,000 in operating and maintenance savings and $1.5 million in avoided annual capital improvements.

The University of Central Missouri’s achievements were cited as part of the ACUPCC’s Celebrating Sustainability series, which identifies signatories that exemplify the initiative’s mission to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research and community engagement. Celebrating Sustainability is formally recognizing a different institution every business day in April leading up to Earth Day on April 22nd.

“The University of Central Missouri has demonstrated how wise investments in sustainability can have a tremendous impact on the environment, an institution’s culture and its bottom line,” said Dr. Anthony D. Cortese, president of Second Nature, the lead supporting organization of the ACUPCC. “The university’s commitment shows how it can and should be done.”

“We’re delighted that our work has been recognized by the ACUPCC,” said University of Central Missouri President Charles Ambrose. “We believe that the economic health of our university goes hand-in-hand with supporting sustainable practices and the health of the environment.”

About University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri offers 150 study programs on a beautiful campus serving more than 11,000 graduate and undergraduate students from 40 states and more than 50 countries. Founded as a teacher’s college in 1871, UCM has maintained a commitment to excellent teaching. UCM has 446 full-time faculty members, 68 percent with a PhD or other terminal degree. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1 and the average undergraduate class has 22 students. UCM’s six-month job placement rate for undergrads has exceeded 90 percent for 18 consecutive years. Graduating students also benefit from one of the lowest student debt ratios in the state.

Find out more at: www.ucmo.edu.