| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.37 |
| Liaison | Benjamin Newton |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2020 |
Central Community College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
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:
Earth Month at all three campuses and the Kearney Center. The Earth Month events include a Student Expo in which students have a table display of their hands on projects along with multiple sustainability focused non-profit vendors and renewable energy companies. Tours are given regularly of the pollinator gardens on all three campuses, Pawnee Native Corn garden, beehives on campus, fruit orchards, greenhouse, wind turbine, and local solar farms. Attendees on these tours advance sustainability through increased buy in to local solar and wind projects in all communities, increased job opportunities in the renewable energy and sustainability field, awareness of the importance of the biodiversity of native plants and insects to our crops and on campus gardens, and the importance of native pollinator insects. We also host an annual Pollinator Festival open to the community.
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:
We have quarterly Resiliency Committee meetings in 4 different communities facilitated by the Environmental Sustainability office focusing on increased public transportation and local events advancing sustainability initiatives beyond the campus and into community projects such as solar farm tours.
Multiple renewable energy companies and sustainability focused organizations, the community, and non-profits are invited to annual Earth Month events and tours are given of the on campus wind turbine, solar panels, pollinator and culinary gardens, fruit orchards, greenhouse, and bee hives.
The Environmental Sustainability office also plans and hosts an annual pollinator festival bringing in local native plants and insect experts and also invite local vendors. It is a family friendly event that also has many children's activities in which they have hands on experiences with pollinators.
In collaboration with the Nebraska State Fair student present hands on projects in Grand Island.
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:
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:
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:
Wind turbine and solar farm tours for the Energy Technology program on the Hastings campus.
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:
Sustainability in Hospitality course focusing on all aspects in food and dining. They grow microgreens, compost, and seek out local foods.
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:
Pollinator gardens on all 3 campuses with walking tours.
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:
Hospitality Management working restaurant purchases compostable materials and composts a majority of their food waste in bins on campus.
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:
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:
Student projects regarding increasing diversion rates, videos, and surveys of recycling habits. Also composting on all three campuses.
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:
Environmental Science course samples local on campus waterway for water quality.
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:
Multiple departments and faculty help organized Earth Week events.
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:
Engaging diversity workshop offered. Option to complete your degree at night or 8 week and 10 week sessions for working professionals and students with family obligations.
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:
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:
Earth Week event focusing on walking and biking on campus trails. Also game rooms on all three campuses.
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:
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.