Campus Environment Committee

The charge of the Campus Environment Committee is to review and approve projects related to landscaping improvements, exterior art installations, outdoor signage, and streetscaping. Projects are reviewed and commented on by the committee with the intent of enhancing the campus’ aesthetic and creating a distinctive sense of place. This committee is comprised of members from Real Estate, Planning, and Space Management; the Office of Communications and Public Affairs: Operations and Maintenance; Environmental Services; Design and Construction; the Office of Sustainability; and Public Safety.

Considering an exterior project? Email Luke Mowbray to submit a project for review. Recent projects include:

• Bressler Research Building Skyline Signage
• Tree replacements along Baltimore and Lombard Streets
• Bike Rack installations throughout campus
• 1807 Art Gallery 1
• 1807 Art Gallery 2
• Greene Street Mural

1807 Art Gallery 1 at Pearl Street Garage

DM Taskforce

The Deferred Maintenance (DM) Taskforce executes and oversees a 3-year deferred maintenance project planning cycle that identifies repairs and replacements based on life safety and critical infrastructure needs. UMB follows the University System of Maryland (USM) Policy on Facilities Renewal for Auxiliary and Non-Auxiliary Capital Assets V111-10.10 PDF in regards to capital facilities renewal. The policy states that facilities renewal and replacement shall be targeted at 2% annually of the current replacement value of all capital assets greater than 10 years old. In 2023, UMB surpassed the USM goal, achieving a spend of 2.4%.

Each year, 20% of UMB's building assets are inventoried by an external vendor, and the deferred maintenance database is updated, with the entire campus inventoried every 5 years. Reports are run to prioritize projects each year based on life safety and life expectancy of current systems. Deferred maintenance projects include structural and envelope repairs (roofs, windows, doors), mechanical and electrical systems upgrades, and life safety and regulatory improvements. Recent examples include safety improvements in the Bressler Research Building core, East Hall roof replacement, and fire pump upgrades at the School of Nursing.

BRB core safety improvements

Physical Planning Committee

This goal of the Physical Planning Committee is to support the ongoing coordination for the planning and execution of physical developments on campus. The committee includes representatives from Design and Construction; Operations and Maintenance; the Capital Projects Service Center; Environmental Services; Construction and Facilities Strategic Acquisitions; the Office of Sustainability; Real Estate, Planning and Space Management; and Financial Services.

Sustainability Working Groups

For more information on the 4 Sustainability Working Groups (Reduction, Resiliency, Engagement & Education, and Green Labs), visit the Office of Sustainability website.

Volunteers at Fall '22 tree planting event behind HSHSL

Tree Campus Advisory Committee

The University established a Tree Advisory Committee in July 2022. This committee is led by the University’s Office of Sustainability and currently has members from the student body, faculty, Facilities and Operations, and the local community. The committee meets semiannually or as needed. Term limits are laissez-faire. The committee’s role is to establish a tree care plan and identify areas on campus in which additional plantings may take place. The committee considers proper conditions for tree planting success including site location and type of tree to be planted, areas of campus that lack green space, and strategies to best serve the UMB and greater Baltimore community by providing additional shaded areas on campus.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact sustainability@umaryland.edu.

Energy Reduction Team

Taking advantage of the limited population density on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Energy Reduction Team in F&O implemented energy-saving measures throughout UMB buildings, particularly research facilities. This initiative has saved the university money through reduced utility costs and has decreased its greenhouse gas emissions in support of its sustainability goals. Learn more about the initiative on the UMB Champions of Excellence page.

Many of the energy-saving measures implemented at the height of the pandemic are still in place today, despite campus re-occupation, thus continuing to save the university money and reduce its carbon footprint. Representatives from Operations and Maintenance, Design and Construction, and the Office of Sustainability continue to meet bi-monthly to identify additional opportunities for energy reduction in tandem with planned deferred maintenance projects.