What is an EMS?

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is an integrated, organized set of policies and procedures under which the University can remain compliant with applicable environmental regulations, and, in addition, manage and lessen our impacts on the environment, thereby improving the University's overall environmental performance.

This may sound complicated, but the concept is relatively simple. As a team, the EMS Steering Committee and each area falling within the relevant EMS Fencelines at the University will systematically and regularly evaluate each EMS Fenceline's operations for environmental regulatory compliance and environmental impacts. Operations are modified as necessary to meet the requirements of the regulations. Identified environmental aspects are ranked and investigated to find ways to prevent, lessen, or eliminate these impacts.

An integral part of the EMS is the detailed systematic control of all documents including policies, procedures, training records, reports, permits, and all other relevant environmental information.