Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.18
Liaison Ryan Todd
Submission Date May 9, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

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

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.60 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 Yes
Dining Services/Food Yes
Energy Yes
Grounds Yes
Purchasing No
Transportation No
Waste Yes
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance Yes
Diversity & Affordability No
Health, Wellbeing & Work Yes
Investment No
Public Engagement Yes
Other No

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:

n/a


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:

Sacramento State students participated in the Solar Decathlon where they built a cost effective, energy efficient, and attractive "smart" home. This multi-departmental project facilitated student learning and strived to discover the future of sustainable housing.


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:

Students in FACS (Food and Consumer Sciences) 110 work with STORC to produce food for labs. Food waste goes back to STORC for compost.Students spend lab hours working in the Dining Commons, STORC, and University Dining Services. In this class, students learn about sustainability and are able to gain experience on campus.


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:

Sacramento State's team Solar Nest aims to discover energy-efficient housing and deliver these breakthroughs to consumers at an affordable price. This multi-departmental team has built a solar home named the "Reflect Home" as an example of what they plan to accomplish.


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:

Sacramento State hosts an event called Mulching Mania. The University invited the Sacramento Tree Foundation to campus and facilitates learning by showing students the process of mulching and the scientific reasoning behind why mulching is sustainable.


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:

n/a


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:

n/a


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:

All food waste in FACS 11 & 110 is collected and taken to STORC for composting. Students participate in the composting process and learn about sustainable food practices.


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:

Students in FACS 11, 110, and 116 learn and practice the importance of conserving water in labs and lectures.


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 Sustainability Department employs sustainability student assistants who work directly with the Sustainability staff on planning and coordination for department events such as Earth Day and Recycle It All Day, as well as other department initiatives such as assessing water faucet efficiency, usage data and potential improvements.


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:

n/a


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:

Nutrition services offered at Student Health and Counseling Services include individual counseling and group classes. Among the services provided are:
•Individual Nutrition Counseling
•Diet Analysis
•WIN (Healthy Eating Program)
•Cooking Demonstrations
•Interactive Educational Presentations
•Information and Resources on Healthy Eating
https://shcssacstate.org/wellness-promotion/nutrition-services


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:

n/a


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:

Students and faculty in STORC (Sustainable, Technology, Optimization, Research, Center) provide public tours to local K-12 students to interactively educate them on sustainable technology such as aquaponics. Additionally, students from STORC design and build vermicomposting bins for local disadvantaged communities.
http://www.csus.edu/storc/


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:

n/a


The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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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.