Sustainability
University Sustainability Initiatives
Climate Action Plan
Maharishi University of Management filed a dramatically ambitious climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions in the next several years, including a target of reducing electricity usage 70% by 2011 and reducing combustion emissions 50% by 2014. More
Former Congressman Speaks on Truth in Labeling
Jim Bates, a former four-term Congressman from California who has been active in promoting legislation that would require labeling genetically engineered foods, spoke at a public awareness event in Dalby Hall. More
Grant Supports Campus Recycling
A $12,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is supporting the construction of more recycling sheds on campus, the construction of mobile recycling stations in the dorms, and an awareness campaign to increase the amount of recycling on campus. More
New Track Offers Opportunity to Run Small Farm
A new track in sustainable agriculture is offering students the opportunity to spend April through September running all aspects of the Abundance Ecovillage Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm: growing crops, collecting payments, planning, harvesting, distribution, composting, and more. More
New Campus Prairie Project
Reconstructing native prairie on campus is now a major focus in MUM's efforts to become sustainable. And to highlight this initiative, the MUM Organic Farms team is offering a movie and PowerPoint presentation to explain the goal of the campus project and the extraordinary richness, complexity, and intricacy of native tallgrass prairie. More
Midwest Real Food Summit
The Real Food Challenge has chosen Maharishi University of Management to host the Midwest Real Food Summit, a regional gathering of students involved in the “just and sustainable food movement.” More
MUM Produces Heirloom Seeds for Seed Savers Exchange
By contributing heirloom seeds to the Seed Savers Exchange, Maharishi University of Management is helping in an effort to preserve the genetic legacy of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit trees that is rapidly being lost as a result of factors such as industrial agriculture and genetic engineering. More
Geothermal Technology to Foster Carbon-Neutral Campus
Geothermal had already been in use in a number of the University’s new buildings, but this project is retrofitting the whole campus. The electricity for geothermal heat pumps will be provided by solar panels and wind turbines, leading to a carbon neutral outcome. More
Vermicomposting Project
The University’s plan to eventually recycle all food waste by using it as compost got a boost in 2008 thanks to the allocation of a building that houses the campus vermicomposting project — a project that saves the University money, saves the environment, and contributes to the nutritional quality of food. More
University Strives for Self-Sufficient Food Production
In its quest to be a sustainable campus, Maharishi University of Management has an organic farming operation which in times of peak production provides most of the vegetables served in the campus dining hall. More
MUM Dining Hall Wins Recognition
The MUM dining hall was a finalist in the Best Local Food category in the annual restaurant contest featured in the Iowa Source magazine. It is also receiving recognition nationally and has become a model for schools across the nation. More
Sustainability Coordinator Helps Make Campus Green
In early 2008 the University took a major step forward in its commitment to creating a campus that is environmentally friendly by hiring a sustainability coordinator who is overseeing the implementation of a wide range of initiatives. More
University Signs Climate Agreement
Maharishi University of Management joined over 300 colleges and universities across the U.S. in signing a climate agreement pledging to eliminate campus greenhouse emissions over time. The University is a “Charter Signatory,” meaning it is among the first group of institutions to sign the agreement. More