Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Tanya Jagdish
Submission Date March 5, 2021
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Albion College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Air & Climate:
---

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Buildings:
---

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Energy:
As part of an environmental science class, students researched and compiled information on best local sustainable practices related to food, recreation, nature study, service organizations, waste protocols, transportation, the arts, and efficient energy use to be used in a web-based guide to sustainable living. (Public Engagement)

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Food & Dining:
Students constructed a composting station at the Student Farm and instituted a program to collect and compost coffee grounds from campus offices as part of a course in environmental studies. (Food/Waste)

Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Grounds:
The campus grounds and the nature center are ecological destinations for k-12, campus research and classes.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Purchasing:
---

Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Transportation:
As part of an environmental science class, students researched and compiled information on best local sustainable practices related to food, recreation, nature study, service organizations, waste protocols, transportation, the arts, and efficient energy use to be used in a web-based guide to sustainable living. (Public Engagement)

Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Waste:
Students constructed a composting station at the Student Farm and instituted a program to collect and compost coffee grounds from campus offices as part of a course in environmental studies. (Food/Waste)

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Water:
Students constructed two bio-swales to intercept surface runoff from roofs and parking lots on campus in collaboration between classes in art and environmental science. (Water)

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Students in classes in anthropology, art history, photography, and philosophy, working jointly as part of a “Creating Sustainable Communities Lab,” researched model sustainability practices in field trips in preparation for convening a campus Sustainability Summit. (Coordination, Planning & Governance)

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
---

Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Investment & Finance:
Students in Gerstacker Institute work with local businesses to research and develop strategies for success. Some project include conducting audits, planning financial projects, etc.

Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Public Engagement:
As part of an environmental science class, students researched and compiled information on best local sustainable practices related to food, recreation, nature study, service organizations, waste protocols, transportation, the arts, and efficient energy use to be used in a web-based guide to sustainable living. (Public Engagement)

Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
---

Other Impact Areas 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to other areas (e.g. arts & culture or technology)?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to other areas:
The campus grounds and the nature center are ecological destinations for k-12, campus research and classes. (Other)

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Albion College uses its infrastructure and operations for multidisciplinary student learning and practical work that advances sustainability on campus in the following ways: • Students constructed a composting station at the Student Farm and instituted a program to collect and compost coffee grounds from campus offices as part of a course in environmental studies. (Food/Waste) • Students constructed two bio-swales to intercept surface runoff from roofs and parking lots on campus in collaboration between classes in art and environmental science. (Water) • As part of an environmental science class, students researched and compiled information on best local sustainable practices related to food, recreation, nature study, service organizations, waste protocols, transportation, the arts, and efficient energy use to be used in a web-based guide to sustainable living. (Public Engagement) • Students in classes in anthropology, art history, photography, and philosophy, working jointly as part of a “Creating Sustainable Communities Lab,” researched model sustainability practices in field trips in preparation for convening a campus Sustainability Summit. (Coordination, Planning & Governance) • The campus grounds and the nature center are ecological destinations for k-12, campus research and classes. (Other)

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.