Baldwin Wallace University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

The Environmental Science program in the Department of Biology engages in significant testing of the water on campus. For an example of one project, a student under the guidance of two faculty in the SU21 semester, spent ten weeks assessing the hydrological effectiveness of campus rain gardens: https://www.bw.edu/news/2021/spring/07-bw-summer-scholars-engage-in-research-creative-studies

Dr. Franklin Lebo (Sustainability) and Dr. Brian Krupp (Computer Science) led a team of 17 Sustainability majors in the SP21 on testing air quality in Cleveland and Columbus in fenceline zones. This project was continued in the SU21 by a sustainability student on a 10 week funded research project building a predictive map with MapTive software of communities most likely to experience poor air quality based upon various variables such as land values, health data, and proximity to polluting industries. This project has now expanded to include faculty from the Public Health department in pursuit of a larger grant after discovering that the actual air quality in the communities tested differs from the officially reported PM and Ozone figures presented by the EPA on AirNow.gov.

The SP2017 SUS400X: Capstone students worked with the VP of University Relations, Dan Karp, to assess the sustainability signage on campus and develop a plan for placement of additional signage on campus buildings and completed a sustainability campus walking tour map. Also, as a result of these efforts, a new interactive platform to allow the BW community and visitors to better engage with campus facilities is currently being developed with a new collaboration between the Sustainability program and University Relations.

BW is engaged with a multi-faceted student/faculty effort to deal with sustainability issues as they relate to food and dining on campus. Some of the examples of these projects include:

Campus Plate with Sustainable Food Stops - BW volunteers representing multiple student organizations from Veterans Affairs to the student Multi-Cultural Center are engaged in food recovery from campus events. Dr. Christy Walkuski of BW's Office of Community Outreach (OCO) coordinates these efforts. One example of student/faculty collaboration in this regard is that Dr. Brian Krupp (Computer Science) worked with his student to create and test a Beta model of a sustainable food app. After discerning additional complexities involved in the project that center around organizing sustainable food efforts, Dr. Krupp and Dr. Franklin Lebo (Sustainability) submitted an EPA grant in the FA19 to take this project forward to the next level with additional student involvement. This project was then funded by the US EPA and received significant media coverage: https://www.bw.edu/news/2021/spring/01-epa-grant-supports-bw-food-waste-app-project

The Campus Landscape Committee, chaired by Dr. Kathryn Flinn, is comprised of both faculty and students. This committee continues to retain a careful inventory of the species of trees and other vegetation across campus. They successfully sought under the guidance of Dr. Kathryn Flinn Tree Campus USA certification with the Arbor Day Foundation in April of 2017. For more information please visit: https://www.bw.edu/news/2017/04-tree-campus-usa-arboretum

(1) The Director of Res Life, Mr. Robin Gagnow with the assistance of Sustainability Graduate Student Intern James Workman, successfully secured a Recycling Container Grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Management District to fund student Eco-Reps on campus This resulted in new reclycing bins in select dormitories last semester titled "Landfill waste", "Food Waste", and "Recyclables." Mr. Gagnow's office worked in close relationship with the undergraduate student interns to provide eduation to the students in the dormitory on a floor-by-floor basis.

(2) At the instigation of the former Student Body President and Sustainability Major, Kevin Warman, and with the support of the Sustainability program, Elkay EZH2 water fountains and refillable water bottle stations with digital counters showing how many plastic water bottles have been saved by each respected fountain have been installed in multiple buildings across campus (e.g., 3 EZH2 stations in the Ritter Library, 1 in Bonds, 2 in Kamm, 1 in the Honors Dormitory, 1 in the Student Union). Students are encouraged through sinage to bring reusable water bottles to class and take advantage of the refilling stations as a water conservation effort. Each EZH2 station states, "Helped eliminate waste from XXXXXXXX disposable plastic bottles." The count of plastic water bottles diverted from the waste stream from the aforementioned stations exceeded one million by the SU19 upon review by BW Summer Scholar and SUS major Sarah Myer. That number continues to climb daily.

In 2017, BW and the Richfield Joint Recreation District (RJRD) established a BW field station at the 336-acre Richfield Heritage Preserve, site of the former Crowell-Hilaka Girl Scout Camp, where students and faculty conduct class activities and research.

The site offers experiential opportunities for students in a range of disciplines. Several research projects underway or completed by students from the BW Department of Biology and Geology include:

(1) Tracking lake water quality by monitoring oxygen levels and water temperature,
(2) Mapping soils and water features to identify environmental issues such as erosion and chemical contamination, and
document the diversity of reptiles, amphibians and insects such as 17-year cicadas and bumble bees.
(3) Using trail cameras to monitor mammal activity, especially the movement of coyotes
(4) Documenting the diversity of reptiles, amphibians and insects such as 17-year cicadas and bumble bees.

For more information, visit: https://www.bw.edu/news/2017/fall/10-field-station-richfield-heritage-preserve

(1) Two committees presently exist for students to engage in student/faculty projects to aid in their understanding of campus sustainability challenges and advancing sustainability initiatives on campus including the Campus Sustainability Committee and the Campus Landscape Committee.

(2) Students have also participated in the preparation of this STARS report in pursuit of either a major or minor in Sustainability. The Capstone class of sustainability students will continue to participate in the gathering of data for this STARS report in preparation for the BW's next submission.

(1) JACKET PHILANTHROPY PROGRAM
The Jacket Philanthropy Program is a student-led philanthropy program implemented through academic service-learning. Students in participating courses provide direct service to nonprofit organizations. In addition to their service hours, students have the opportunity to award grant funds to selected organizations.

The program focuses on three areas of need: children and youth programs; neighborhood development and revitalization; and hunger, homelessness and health issues. Students are responsible for developing an RFP (Request for Funding Proposal), preparing the grant proposal, and engaging in a group decision-making process to award the funds. Each class receives funding to distribute.

In the past 11 years (i.e., 2007-2019), 735 BW students provided over 10,000 hours of service and awarded $185,000 in grant funds to 50 community partners. As a result, BW was the recipient of a distinguished annual award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – Cleveland Chapter. The highlight of National Philanthropy Day, AFP's 2019 Philanthropy Awards ceremony honored BW's JPP for "Outstanding Youth Philanthropy," one of just six awards.

(2) URBAN SEMESTER PROGRAM
Urban Semester is a "study-away" program where students live, work and study in Cleveland. Students live in a community at the Archwood House (a BW-owned facility in Cleveland's Brooklyn Centre neighborhood), take urban studies-related courses, gain real world experience through a for-credit internship and engage in community and cultural activities. One of the program's many community partners, Eliza Bryant Village, nominated BW for the accolade, which was presented with a video highlighting the power of the JPP collaboration found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22g1JgHT_r0&feature=youtu.be.

Students benefit from their involvement in the program by connecting with other students, local professionals and community leaders; completing the urban studies minor and EXP graduation requirement in one semester; connecting professional and personal passions; developing professional skills through a nonprofit internship; serving with fellow participants through service-learning courses and other group service opportunities; and exploring Cleveland's vibrant arts and cultural communities, food scene and diverse neighborhoods.

For more information, please visit: https://www.bw.edu/news/2019/fall/12-jacket-philanthropy-wins-afp-award and https://www.bw.edu/about/offices/community-engagement/jacket-philanthropy/.

(3) PROJECT AFFINITY
Project Affinity is an urban summer service program coordinated by the Center for Community Engagement. Students live together at the Archwood House, a BW-owned facility in Cleveland's Brooklyn Centre neighborhood. Through service and community events, students are able to explore social justice issues, develop a direct relationship with individuals in Brooklyn Centre and the greater Cleveland community, and gain an understanding of nonprofit work.

All full-time and part-time faculty and staff have been able to access opportunities and resources since 2015 at Baldwin Wallace University, to enhance their personal growth and well-being. In January of 2022, the university celebrated five years being tobacco and smoke-free. The university has a diverse employee Wellness Advisory Council that helps to shape the direction of our well-being strategy. The well-being needs of faculty and staff are assessed every 2-3 years by a campus-wide survey. We offer a wide array of diverse and inclusive programming to meet employee needs and interests. In response to the pandemic, our office was able to pivot and offer virtual programming, a new website to house resources, and made our campus wide Wellfest; an event that highlights campus and community health and well-being resources, virtual. An employee Mind Spa offers space and amenities for stress management and relaxation. To meet the mental health needs of employees, Human Resources offers an EAP program as a part of its benefits package. The Counseling Center provides TAO Connect, a free online service for stress management, mindfulness, problem-solving, and relationship tips and strategies for faculty, staff, and students. Employees and students can use the indoor track, pool and fitness center at no change and can take advantage of daily group fitness classes. Additionally, the recreation center offers club and intramural sports and student adventure trips and activities. The University Health Center, Counseling Center, Recreation center and additional Student Affairs programming helps to meet student health and well-being needs.