Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 71.04
Liaison Natalie Hayes
Submission Date Oct. 19, 2023

STARS v2.2

Bentley University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Natalie Hayes
Associate Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
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Campus Engagement

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
In the Spring of 2022, Student Interns at the Office of Sustainability held a week-long event in Bentley's Student center to educate the general body about the problems with the plastics industry. The event incorporated the game "wordle" to make the event engaging. There were 8 informational boards throughout the student center accompanied by related artwork. The informative boards informed students about the harms of plastic at each point of its life cycle. The boards gave students clues as to what the wordle word was. Those who got the wordle word correct got entered into a raffle to win a smart tv. This event engage just under 400 students.

Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

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. Some public engagement examples include the fair trade fair and the local farmers market, both are hosted every fall on Bentley's campus and is open to the public. Both events have educational tables to inform the public about the importance of fair trade and buying locally. There are also local and fair trade businesses that table selling their products, which helps the public engage with preferred businesses.

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
The NAS 348 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)

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
In NAS 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, providing both the business and efficiency case for these. It ends with a tour of the arena, highlighting each site.

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
In the Wind Energy course (NAS344), 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). Energy and the Environment (NAS140) and Energy Alternatives (NAS344) also look at Bentley's energy consumption data for various assignments and projects throughout the course.

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
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Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
In the Water and the Environment course (NAS336), students are assigned to walk around campus and note all the water infrastructure on campus from storm drains to the Bentley Pond. The goal of this assignment is to understand better how water moves throughout the environment.
A Graduate class (GR603) tasks students with performing good deeds that leave a positive impact on the community. One student decided his good deed would be picking up trash that surrounded the Bentley pond. (Prof Steward).

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
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Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
In Spring 2022 the University formed a Shuttle Advisory Committee. The Shuttle Advisory Committee held a listening session in the Fall of 2022 for students, staff, and faculty to gain insights on how the Bentley shuttle can improve.

Students who serve on this committee are exposed to planning and transportation concepts for a large organization.

Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
NAS150 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)

The Office of Sustainability holds a Student Waste Educators Program that teaches students about waste on a global, local, and intersectional level. They are taught how to properly sort their trash, recycle and compost and are encouraged to share this information with their peers.

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Students in Water Quality (NAS338) use water samples from the Bentley pond and tap water from campus to test its quality and determine if the water is "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

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
In Bentley University's Student Government Association, there is a Sustainability Chair. The Sustainability Chair position heads the Sustainability Committee within student government. My main task is meeting with the OOS biweekly and voicing student sustainability feedback/concerns. Recent work by the sustainability chair includes developing a cost/benefit analysis of realtime energy dashboard and adding more EV chargers. This position was first established in 2015

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
During the academic year, the Office of Sustainability employs six interns, one being the Social Justice Coordinator. The Social Justice Coordinator consults with the engagement team and PR team to ensure that an environmental justice lens is applied. In the Spring of 2022, the Social Justice Coordinator aided in the creation of the University'sLand Acknowledgement Statement. In the Spring of 2023, they are planning an armchair discussion on environmental racism.
The Office of Sustainability also co-sponsors guest speakers with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Students get to hear from experts such as Lauret Sovey and Majora Carter.

Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
In 2022, Bentley University undergraduate students who are a part of Bentley Sustainable Investment Group (BSIG) which manages $600,000 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.

Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

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, productivity, and overall well-being. (Prof Egan)

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
In 2023 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.