Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.28
Liaison David Blodgett
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Babson College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Asheen Phansey
Director of Sustainability
President's Office
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Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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 Air & Climate:
The Energy and the Environment (NST1020) course looks at the connection between energy and air & climate based on Babson's impacts. Final projects are presented to Facilities and the Sustainability Office.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
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 Buildings:
Financing and Valuing Sustainability looks at LEED building costs for campus buildings. Final projects are presented to the Sustainability Office. The Sustainability Certificate Introduction course reviews energy used by campus-owned housing and audits the buildings. The MSEL LEAP program had a student team that prototyped an energy monitoring device so students and facilities can monitor energy usage in a room versus just a building. Projects are presented to the Sustainability Office.

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:
The Sustainable Energy Solutions (NST1020) class looks at the energy used by campus, studies alternatives, and presents their ideas for campus solutions. The Environmental Technology (SCN2410) class measures energy use in residence halls across campus.

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:
Leading and Managing Sustainability (under MOB) assigns students to eat meat-less diets to understand the impact of diet on sustainability. Students report on their challenges etc. MOB7522 Leading and Managing Sustainability, Fall 2016: a group of students studied sustainable food purchases by Babson Dining, looking at the following: 1. Third Party Verified 2. Both Local and Community Based 3. Sustainability Goals

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 sugar maples on campus are tapped for sap every spring by several faculty members that connect the program to their classes and to the campus' teaching lab. The Economic Botany (SCN3630) course studies trees on campus. Case Studies in Ecological Management (NST2020) calculates carbon storage in trees on campus using permanent plots.

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:
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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:
In fall 2016, Leading and Managing Sustainability (MOB7522 ) course had a group of students study the campus fleet (leasing of electric vehicles versus purchase gas vehicles), the challenges of campus accessibility for students residing off campus, and recommendations for remaining competitive regarding commuting with a sustainability focus. The MSEL LEAP program included a student team that looked at campus ride share. They specifically investigated options for creating signage as cars are leaving campus for rideshares to indicate the location they would like to go.

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:
Measuring and Managing Strategic Performance hosted a class session involving sample trash, recycling, and compostable items, and lesson revolved around understanding metrics for sustainability involving waste. Students also provided feedback on the waste system on campus. In fall 2016, the Leading and Managing Sustainability (MOB7522 ) course had a group of students studied sustainable practices (focusing on prevention and disposal of waste) within Catering Services. The MSEL LEAP program had student teams that prototyped: - One Bottle – a project to reduce plastic bottle consumption, where a water bottle is given to all incoming freshmen and generates rewards for reuse - An extendable food container to try to minimize wasted food from campus dining - A "Mud Cup" that would be a biodegradable coffee cup made out of mud - Wheeled trash hauler for janitors that easily goes up and down staircases in dorms - Gamifying a way to dispose of cigarette butts so they don’t end up on the ground - Multicompartment recycling bin with foot-pedal to avoid using hands and increase diversion

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:
In fall 2016, the Leading and Managing Sustainability (MOB7522) course had a group of students studied water use in Olin Hall: The group narrowed its focus on water usage in Olin Hall to investigated Babson’s current efforts around water management including monitoring and reporting as well as historical & contemporary water initiatives. They used a variety of KPI’s to paint an overall picture of water usage at Babson, including total water consumption, water consumption per square foot as well as water consumption per student. Stakeholders included students, facilities, Markey Commons and the Town of Wellesley.

Coordination & Planning 

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

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
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 Diversity & Affordability:
In fall 2016, Leading and Managing Sustainability (MOB7522), a group of students studied diversity and inclusion efforts for the Babson graduate program. Another group studied faculty diversity, analyzing STARS faculty diversity KPI, non-white full-time faculty, non-white members of the executive teams, and survey results from adversity in diversity events.

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:
The Babson College Fund (BCF) is an academic program in which specially selected students from both the Undergraduate and Graduate schools to manage a portion of the Babson College endowment. The program builds students’ investment research and portfolio management skills and offers practical experience. The student-run fund is an accredited course offered to a select group of undergraduate and MBA students and is guided by faculty and executives in residence.

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:
Lean for Innovation, taught by Wiljeana Glover, works with the Greater Boston Food Bank to solve local problems around food access through their coursework.

Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
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 Wellbeing & Work:
In fall 2016, Leading and Managing Sustainability (MOB7522 ) course had a group of students studied: - How does Babson measure the well-being of international students? - How well do international students understand the U.S. police system? - What steps is Babson taking to ensure international student safety?

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)?:
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 other areas:
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Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.