Agnes Scott College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Susan
Kidd Executive Director Center for Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
Communications Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Communications Intern in Spring 2020. The roles and responsibilities of the position included:
- Drafted a Center for Sustainability “Communications Plan”
- Summarized the priority programs of the Center for use in a variety of formats. Priority programs included: waste diversion, environmental justice, climate action, energy, and water efficiency
- Contributed to the social media outreach for the Center, and helped ensure a regular social media presence
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
Renfroe Elementary School Compost Program
Through the college’s Team Global Challenge project in 2018, eight multidisciplinary teams of Agnes Scott students worked to develop a creative, feasible strategy to contribute to efforts to reduce food waste at the project site, Renfroe Middle School. From 2018-2019, the Center for Sustainability worked with Renfroe to implement the winning team’s proposal. This project both engaged with the local Decatur community and incorporated SUMMIT learning outcomes into the project, including:
- Recognizing, analyzing, and employing effective teamwork
- Analyzing human behavior or social relations
- Seeking and utilizing feedback from a community partner
- Documenting and presenting measurable outcomes
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
GHG intern
Each year, the Center for Sustainability hosts a for-credit intern to complete the College’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory for the previous fiscal year. This intern is responsible for:
- Gathering data and calculating the college’s GHG inventory
- Summarizing the results of the GHG report, both on the Climate Leadership Commitment website and in Powerpoint for staff and community education
- Providing input about the relationship between the GHG inventory project and the ongoing updates to the College’s Climate Action Plan
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
LEED Lab
In partnership with Kennesaw State University and USGBC, Agnes Scott has developed and implemented a LEED Lab course. The course covers sustainable design and renovation, building management practices, and facilities management through the study of the LEED Existing Building Operations and Maintenance certification program. The primary purpose of the course is to complete the certification of Agnes Scott’s Mccain Library to LEED EBOM v. 4 standards. Agnes Scott received an innovation credit for this program in its 2.1 STARS submission.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Solar Efficiency Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Solar Efficiency Intern in Fall 2019. The roles and responsibilities of the position included:
- Analyzed data from the college’s solar arrays to better understand their efficiency
- Researched and tested ways to increase solar efficiency, such as regular cleaning of the solar panels
- Provided insights into how these efficiency strategies could assist the college in mitigating GHG emissions
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
Sustainable Food Initiative Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Sustainable Food Initiative Intern in Spring 2020. The roles and responsibilities included:
- Drafted a policy and timeline for a sustainable, local food plan at Agnes Scott. Included specific goals for the college for a transition to a sustainable food system.
- Researched the Real Food Challenge and other opportunities for the campus community to actively support the plan.
- Obtained student feedback and desires for the sustainable, local food plan.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Bee Campus Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Bee Campus Intern in Fall 2019. The roles and responsibilities of the position included:
- Completed the Bee Campus USA application for the college and received designation
- Established and chaired the Bee Campus committee
- Drafted the college’s IPM plan for approval
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Waste Initiative Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Waste Initiative Intern in Fall 2019. Part of the roles and responsibilities of this position included work to draft guidelines for college SWAG purchasing and distribution.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Zero-Waste Management Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Zero-Waste Management Intern in Spring 2020. The roles and responsibilities of this position included:
- Assisted the Center for Sustainability with the logistics of Recyclamnia
- Launched the campus’s Zero-Waste Committee
- Assisted the Center in developing the glass recycling program at Agnes Scott College
- Supported the development of a “hard to recycle materials” center locally
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Climate Resilience Plan with City of Decatur
The Center for Sustainability drafted a Climate Resilience Plan with the City of Decatur and funded a student to serve as the chief project liaison with the City along with sustainability director, Susan Kidd. This student worked to coordinate the plan logistics and hosted community listening sessions of the draft plan.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Environmental Justice Intern
The Center for Sustainability hosted a for-credit Environmental Justice Intern in Fall 2020. The roles and responsibilities of this position included:
- Recommended changes to the mission of the Center for Sustainability to ensure that the statements captures the commitment to EJ
- Reviewed all the current programs and projects of the Center and advised on how to incorporate EJ. Helped the Center to ensure that all voices are heard and included in their work
- Worked directly with the equity and inclusion staff to solidify a partnership between the two offices. Suggested a joint organizational structure that best reflects this partnership
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Since the establishment of the Green Revolving Fund committee in Fall 2012, two student representatives have served on the committee. These students serve alongside faculty and staff to evaluate and identify priority projects for the GRF. This committee also has the final vote on determining which projects are funded. Students also have the opportunity to suggest GRF projects and gain hands-on experience determining the scope of the investment.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
The Center for Sustainability hosted a joint work-study student with the office of Human Resources (HR) for the 2019-2020 academic year. This position worked on projects that overlap with the Center and HR, including the Healthy Office Program, Georgia Commute options, and the Common Market farm share. The sustainability roles and responsibilities included:
- Assisted with the Georgia Commute Options program by coordinating the yearly commute survey, tabling events with GA Commute Options on campus, signing up campus community members for the program, and promoting the program to the campus community
- Maintained and expanded the Common Market farm share on campus
- Worked closely with the Healthy Offices Program by conducting Healthy Office audits, training committee members to conduct audits, completing audit reports to send to participants, helping create solutions for the healthy office initiative, and developing/modifying guidance documents for the program
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
For the internships included above, the job description for each internship is included. This description was developed by the Center for Sustainability in partnership with the student's faculty adviser. Each intern is required to meet with their academic adviser and the Center for Sustainability weekly in order to receive academic credit. During these meetings, the intern discusses the curricular support they are completing for their internship, as well as the tangible project they are completing for the Center. This policy was developed by our Office of Internships and Career Development.
https://www.agnesscott.edu/internship-and-career-development/students/internships.html
For the internships included above, the job description for each internship is included. This description was developed by the Center for Sustainability in partnership with the student's faculty adviser. Each intern is required to meet with their academic adviser and the Center for Sustainability weekly in order to receive academic credit. During these meetings, the intern discusses the curricular support they are completing for their internship, as well as the tangible project they are completing for the Center. This policy was developed by our Office of Internships and Career Development.
https://www.agnesscott.edu/internship-and-career-development/students/internships.html
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.