| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.11 |
| Liaison | Smith Getterman |
| Submission Date | March 12, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Baylor University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Smith
Getterman Assistant Director of Sustainability and Special Projects Office of Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing the campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in the following areas?:
| Yes or No | |
| Air & Climate | No |
| Buildings | No |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | Yes |
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Air & Climate and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Dining Services/Food and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Baylor Dining Services offers internships for students specifically seeking to learn more about food waste and diversion. Interns work closely with the BDS Environmental Manager and University Sustainability Committee throughout their internship. The intern has been integral to the success of the newly minted Weigh the Waste program which was instituted this academic year to account for and curtail student food waste in residence halls.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Energy and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students in the Engineering department work on semester long projects related to solar energy: solar powered cars, solar powered water wells, and a small solar array for the Engineering building, are all projects born out of the various classes taken by engineering students and led by research done by engineering faculty.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Grounds and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students in intro freshmen writing courses often select composting, the pros and cons, and it's potential impact on Baylor's campus grounds as a topic for research and writing.
Students in an upper level entrepreneurship course have selected composting as their capstone research project for the semester and explored the possibilities of integrating it into university grounds operations.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Purchasing and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Transportation and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students in the Environmental Science department are working with faculty on biodiesel conversion projects with the goal to convert some on campus university transportation to biodiesel fueled vehicles.
Students within the School of Engineering work on a variety of alternative energy research projects throughout the year, including solar powered vehicles and water wells.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Waste and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students participated in the US EPA Food Recovery Challenge and achieved a quantifiable reduction in food waste.
Students participated in Weigh the Waste event in campus dining halls, achieving measurable reductions in food waste.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Numerous students and professors base their scholarship and research on water related issues, especially those effecting the campus and surrounding communities. Research from students and faculty have focused on the Brazos river, the effect of pharmaceuticals found freshwater streams on that ecosystems habitat, and Lake Waco contamination and ecosystem issues.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Coordination, Planning & Governance and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Office of Sustainability offers internships to students that requires at least two academic papers by the end of its duration covering the internship itself and a piece of new campus sustainability related research and/or capstone project presentation on a topic that specifically relates to the coordination, planning, and implementation of sustainability initiatives on campus.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Diversity & Affordability and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Health, Wellbeing & Work and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Department of HHPR is focused on diverse aspects of health, activity, recreation, and quality of life. The internship experience conducted within the HHPR Department is designed to provide students an opportunity to both observe and participate in actual professional positions within the organization to which they are assigned. The purpose of the internship is to provide each student opportunities to experience the professional work settings that are appropriate for their preparation and career aspirations. The students considering an internship experience will have an upper level classification and have completed the majority of his/her course work in his/her field of study. These students are working on their undergraduate degrees in the areas of Health Sciences, Community Health, or Exercise Physiology and will be doing observations with any additional practical experiences the agency deems feasible. The internship is to create an educational experience that
• increases the student's knowledge base and enhances the perceptions of the career track and organization;
• stimulates inquiry;
• provides a practical experience that can contribute to the student's professional future.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Investment and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Public Engagement and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Baylor Community Garden provides educational opportunities to the university and local organizations on how to maintain gardens and encourage healthy lifestyles. A special focus is placed on integrating sustainable water-use technologies and organic garden training.The Baylor Community Garden also serves as a location for Campus Kitchen to grow and donate produce to help relieve local hunger. Members of the graduate housing communities have access to individual growing plots, and may enjoy the recreational green space, grill, and host events in the garden.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory in Other areas and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Student record label Uproar Records hosts Project Greenway, a green/recycled fashion show, every Spring semester. Students from all disciplines participate and attend. Show brings more awareness to campus sustainability through creative integration of the arts and multiple academic disciplines.
The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.