The Committee to Strengthen University Management and Resources (SUMAR)
Chaired by the University's executive vice president, the Committee to Strengthen University Management and Resources (SUMAR) identifies and supports efficiencies in central and academic administration that enable the release of resources toward teaching, research, and the student experience.
Specifically, SUMAR identifies and facilitates projects that will strengthen our workforce, business operations, and services; enhance our efficiency; and appropriately utilize our resources. SUMAR encourages all departments to implement changes within their units if they have the ability to do so without central assistance. In cases that are interdepartmental in scope, SUMAR identifies managers to lead the related analysis and possible implementation.
We encourage you to offer Suggestions & Feedback. This site will be updated periodically to highlight new initiatives and success stories.
Recent Success Stories
- The purchase of remanufactured toner instead of new, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) toner provides the opportunity for up to approximately 49% savings depending upon the unit. Remanufactured toner matches the performance and reliability found in OEM toner and also advances the University’s sustainability objectives. Both the Library and OIT computing clusters have converted most of their purchases over to remanufactured toner without issue and saved in total approximately $114,000 in FY12. All units will be able to take advantage of this savings opportunity via the MarketPlace early in March 2013.
- In October 2012, completed the installation of a 5.3 megawatt solar collector field on University land in West Windsor comprising 16,500 photovoltaic panels to reduce the University's carbon footprint and trimming approximately 8 percent per year from its electric costs. The collector field should generate 8 million kilowatt-hours per year, enough to meet 5.5 percent of the total annual campus electrical needs.
- Engaged a contractor to perform a special grinding process that converts all the University's fallen and cut tree limbs into mulch for campus use. This effort results in annual savings of approximately $35,000, and reduces the number of landscape vendor vehicles coming to campus.