Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 39.53
Liaison Ellie Perry
Submission Date July 27, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California State University, Dominguez Hills
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Ellie Perry
Sustainability Manager
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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 Air & Climate:
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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:
GIS Professor Parveen Chhetri had students in the GEO 420 spring class conduct research into placement of the campus recycling bins inside and outside the buildings to provide feedback on how to improve the campus recycling program. Previous class research projects with this course have included students conducting lighting counts of campus buildings, water audits, and sustainable infrastructure proposals in previous semesters.

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:
Chemistry 102 and Chemistry 103 integrate an energy efficiency 101 lesson taught by the campus energy manager, and also include a tour of the campus Central Plant which supplies 90% of the HVAC on campus. Students learn about energy in the context of use on campus, and are assigned homework and activities based on this experience.

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:
Interdisciplinary Studies professor Jenney Hall supports student research in addressing food insecurity issues among students on campus. This includes projects related to supporting the new on-campus farm, food distribution, and food surveys evaluating access and preferences amongst the student population.

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:
Biology professor Brynne Bryan supports multiple research projects related to evaluating the quality of reclaimed water on campus and its impacts on landscape, and also co-runs the Biology greenhouse which supports native plant propogation and study (also supported by Biology professor Kathryn Theiss). Biology professor/Chair John Thomlinson regularly supports student research projects in the Dominguez Hills Wetland Area on campus as well as the Heritage Creek bioswale at the end of Parking Lot 7.

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?:
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 Transportation:
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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:
The fall MKT 350 course conducted a student survey on recycling habits, practices, and barriers to research how to improve the campus recycling program. The spring GEO 420 class helped conduct a professional waste audit of the LSU, NSM, and COE/SBS waste streams in spring 2018. They are also conducting a GIS survey of the trash and recycling receptacles on campus.

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:
Under Biology professor Brynne Bryan, a student is conducting a research project on the quality of reclaimed water on campus and its impact on the plants used in campus landscaping.

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:
Multiple student research projects focus on Diversity & Affordability from multiple hosting departments. See the most recent Student Research Day agenda to see the full list of projects.

Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
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 Investment & Finance:
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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:
The Digital Media course (COMMS 110) performed a video documentary research project in spring semester to cover the Office of Sustainability and the different sustainability projects on campus in order to engage the campus population.

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:
There are many student research projects related to health and psychology which use the campus as a living laboratory. Some recent examples included an analysis of the impact of the new learning classrooms and their effectiveness in teaching as well as an assessment of accessibility for campus bathrooms. (Examples available from Student Research Day program).

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)?:
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 other areas:
Sociology professor Matt Mutchler supports student research on campus community building in terms of accessibility to sustainable food, resources, etc.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://www.csudh.edu/gsr/research/student-research/student-research-day/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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