Opportunities for cost containment are a natural outgrowth of a refocused view of institutional operations and planning within a framework of sustainability: the concept of using and reusing resources wisely benefits both our environment and our budget. A wide variety of industries have begun to link these efforts; we are proud that NMSU administration has committed to seeking a leadership position within public higher education as we explore how we can better approach both operating and capital investments with the end goal of conservation in mind.
The resources we use are widely varied: human capital, disposable supplies, and physical plant assets are all targets for a change in management philosophy that will benefit from enhancing sustainability. Being open to changes in the hours we work and the scheduling of services offered, the condition of our workplace, the assignment of space, the way we travel around campus and beyond, and the way we participate in distant events all can make a significant difference in both our carbon footprint and our bottom line. A commitment to replacing standard approaches to the use of paper, chemicals, and fuel creates great opportunities for “going green” at a reduced cost of operations. The way we design, construct and renovate our buildings, and the type of equipment we elect to use, can have a major impact on our long-range use of resources, adding up to impressive multi-year cost saving opportunities.
Efforts now to reconsider assumed practices have the potential to reap multiple rewards. Thinking sustainably is also a smart business decision, which in turn directly supports our priority goal to keep NMSU accessible to our students and other constituents. Doing the right thing will result in the right outcome for all.