| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.97 |
| Liaison | Natalie Hayes |
| Submission Date | Aug. 6, 2020 |
Bentley University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Natalie
Hayes Associate Director of Sustainability Office of 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:
In FY2019 one senior did their honors capstone project on behavior change related to sustainability. Her project entitled "Muscle memory of Sustainability" challenged a group of students to enact certain sustainability behaviors for a full week to see if it would change their behavior longer term. She did a pre and post survey with the students in the study group and found that the students who participated did have a shift in perspective and were more willing to do these actions in the future.
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:
Over 1,000 students per year are engaged in Bentley's Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE). Many Bentley professors provide a "4th credit option" in their classes where students can work on projects in the local community that tie directly into what is being taught in the classroom. Students work on myriad projects in the local community providing support for educational, sustainability and social justice initiatives. In order to gain the "4th credit" students have to participate in a certain number of volunteer hours in the local community and complete a final research project related to their experience. Students pursuing the "4th credit option" have done work on campus for the Office of Sustainability as part of an Environmental Psychology class.
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:
The NASE 337 Global Climate Change Classes do a World Climate Simulation each semester. Students serve as delegates from various nations/blocs (U.S., EU, Other Developed Countries, China, India and Other Developing countries) in a mock UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiation to keep global temperature increases below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels by 2100. (Prof. Ledley)
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:
In NASC 140 - Energy and the Environment students use real life data sets from campus including building data and energy use to complete final projects and recommend upgrades on campus (Prof Cranmer).
The Office of Sustainability often gives guest lectures to classes in the multi-purpose arena, the LEED Platinum building on campus. The classes learn about sustainability and uses the arena as a case study to learn about what Bentley did in order to achieve LEED Platinum. This includes information about the different sustainable sites throughout the building and the providing both the business and efficiency case for these. It ends with a tour of the arena, highlighting each site.
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:
In the Wind Energy course (NASE399), students are able to analyze Bentley University’s energy usage data to calculate the affordability of wind energy and get a baseline for project proposals (Prof Cranmer).
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:
Office of Sustainability Student Sustainability Leaders are working on evaluating food invoice data for our current STARS report. This includes evaluating invoices from our food service vendor and processing and analyzing Dining Service budget data. As of part of this work, the students produced multiple deliverables which included a "Guide for Tracking Bentley's Food and Dining Data for STARS" and a framework for organizing and analyzing this data in the future.
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:
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:
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:
In Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 the University underwent a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) process with a consultant. As part of this process a TDM committee was gathered and student representatives participated in the committee. The Student Government Association also was involved in approving some of the final TDM recommendations. The students attended meetings as active committee members learning about transportation on campus, why transportation demand management is needed, and providing their input for recommendations.
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:
NASC150 Environmental Science and Sustainability does a recycling audit using the recycling throughout Jennison hall. Students gather the recycling and analyze the percentage that is recycled correctly in the building. (Prof Stoner)
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:
Students in NASE 328 Water Quality use water samples from the Bentley pond and the nearby Charles River to treat and see if it can become “drinkable”. Students in various other science classes learn about the importance of wetlands on our eco-system. Bentley has some important protected wetlands on our campus
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:
Students in EXP 202 Expository Writing II: Advanced Inquiry in Writing complete a project that explores factors that shape and re-shape cities, focusing on Boston as the main topic. Course assignments address how climate change legislation impacts Boston and the surrounding area. (Prof Nourse)
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:
Bentley offers a social justice class for residents living in the Service-Learning Defined Community where they learn about different social justice issues (domestic and international) for the year. (Prof. Milbery)
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:
In FY2019, Bentley University undergraduate students started Bentley Sustainable Investment Group (BSIG) which manages $400,000 of Bentley’s endowment in ESG investing. This group is able to have hands on experience using the ESG investing framework in order to make investment decisions. It is overseen by Professor Erhemjamts, along with a board made up of Bentley University faculty and staff.
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:
In Environmental Psychology, students are tasked with analyzing the biophilic elements of Bentley’s buildings and how they relate to building purpose, productiveness, and overall wellbeing. (Prof Egan)
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:
In 2020 we gathered this information from the Student Sustainability Leaders and from Office of Sustainability staff experience.
In 2020 we gathered this information from the Student Sustainability Leaders and from Office of Sustainability staff experience.
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.