| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.42 |
| Liaison | Stephanie Del Rosario |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
California State University, Fullerton
AC-10: Support for Research
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Janet
Purchase Utility & Energy Analyst Capital Projects/Facilities Mgmt. |
Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability? :
A brief description of the student research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The CSUF Center for Sustainability brings together students and faculty interested in pursuing sustainability research. The Campus Mission and Goals specifically targeted proposals that were interdisciplinary in terms of both academic discipline, as well as combining faculty, students, and staff.
Some examples of programs that encourage student research include:
Southern California Ecosystems Research Program (SCERP)
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The Southern California Ecosystems Research Program (SCERP) is an NSF-funded program that prepares students for careers in environmental industry, government agencies, and graduate programs in Biology or Environmental Science.
SCERP scholars receive some summer support, research and travel funds during the academic year, and are eligible for CSUF funding opportunities through NSM Inter- Club Council, Associated Students Incorporated, and the Faculty Development Center.
In December of 2016, students in this program studied desert mistletoe in the Mojave National Preserve. Desert mistletoe is a parasitic plant that steals water and nutrients from several species of shrubs and trees, such as acacia and mesquite. It also provides food and nesting habitat for birds. There study focused on how different host species affected adaptation in the mistletoe. It is important to understand how changes in the desert may affect biological communities.
The positive outcome from this research was that only mesquite was being attacked by the desert mistletoe and not other shrubs.
Does the institution have a program to encourage faculty from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability topics?:
A brief description of the faculty research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
Junior/Senior Faculty Research Grants
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All full-time faculty, lecturers, coaches, counselors and librarians are invited to submit proposals for junior/senior grant funding intended “to stimulate faculty research and creative activities, to support such research and creative activities, and to assist faculty in successful competition for external funding, where appropriate". Ideally, funded activities should lead to competitive externally funded projects; e.g., donors, private/public grants, contracts).
Purpose of Award
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To support and enhance faculty research, creative and scholarly activities resulting in the following specific outcomes:
Publications
Peer-reviewed conference presentations
Performance/Exhibits
Pilot project implementation
Seed money to assist in obtaining external funding for projects
Data collection
Professional development
The Auxiliary Services Corporation of CSUF provides incentives and funding for these projects, along with Award Spending Guidelines for using their funds (document attached).
Dr. Pratanu Ghosh did research on "Zeolite based new generation concrete: Solution for sustainable and durable concrete structure". He received his funding from the Junior/Senior Faculty Research Grant. Four positive outcomes from his research are:
1. The material Zeolite can make the concrete highly sustainable as it reduces carbon di-oxide (CO2) emission in significant amounts.
2. Zeolite is one type of processed volcanic ash and we have large deposits in western part of the United States. The concrete industry can take the advantage of using zeolite as supplementary cementitious materials to improve the quality of concrete in terms of mechanical properties, namely strength of concrete and durability of concrete against corrosion, sulfate attack, ASR, and freeze-thaw.
3. In the long term, overall life cycle cost of concrete bridges and pavements would be cheaper as rehabilitation and retrofit costs will be dramatically reduced.
4. Local ready mix concrete companies in western parts of the USA can take advantage of the new cheaper, sustainable and durable materials for concrete construction. Placing, transporting and consolidating of concrete will also be a smoother process if zeolite is used as an alternative cementitious materials. Cement could be replaced by 15-25% of zeolite materials.
Has the institution published written policies and procedures that give positive recognition to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research during faculty promotion and/or tenure decisions?:
A brief description of the institution’s support for interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.