Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 34.50
Liaison Susan Kaspari
Submission Date July 17, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Central Washington University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Susan Kaspari
Professor
Geological Sciences
"---" 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?:
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 Air & Climate:
CWU's new Science Building (Discovery Hall) has air quality and weather monitoring on the roof. These instruments are being integrated into CHEM345 Environmental Chemistry, which has 15 students in it. Students design their own sampling scheme with two handheld particulate matter monitors in conjunction with data that they access through the roof monitor. They compare the data and interpret results. Students also examine the ozone data and discuss ozone chemistry and the causes of diurnal variations.

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:
Three of CWU's LEED buildings are used in a course CMGT 452/552 LEED in Sustainable Construction. Students tour the buildings to see LEED features. The buildings haven't been used for applied research. Two students are currently creating educational materials and an online tour about the four LEED buildings as part of ENST499 Campus Sustainability.

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:
The energy management program encourages students to use CWU as a living laboratory. For example, one student collected energy data (electricity, oil, natural gas use) to conduct a preliminary energy audit. This exercise allowed the student to understand energy use and conservation initiatives which will help to advance sustainability at CWU.

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:
CWU has a community garden, which has been used in a Public Health Course (PUBH398) Community Food Strategies. https://cwugardeninitiative.wordpress.com Additionally CWU started in 2018 Wildcat Neighborhood Farm https://www.cwu.edu/wildcatfarm/, which is being used for student projects and education. For example, three students did projects with the farm related to a food forest and creating a pollinator garden in ENST499 Campus Sustainability. Dining Services also engages students in different areas of food service, from marketing to menu planning/tracking. These students are able to apply their studies in graphic design, business, nutrition, etc., to the function of campus food and dining operations. Many of them complete these projects as independent study internships.

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:
See the example above for the CWU community garden and Wildcat Neighborhood Farm. Students are currently working on grounds related projects. One student is working on planting native drought resistant species, and another student is doing an assessment of watering use to see if overwatering is occurring on campus.

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?:
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 Transportation:
In 2018 students and faculty worked to develop a biking map. Students in the ENST499 Campus Sustainability course helped with identifying and relocating bike racks. https://www.cwu.edu/sustainability/maps

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:
In ENST499 Campus Sustainability two students did waste related projects. One student collected data with the current recycling labels in place, and then placed improved labeling with clearer instructions, and collected data to assess changes in the recycling rates. Another student is working on a project to get a reusable container systems in dining. Numerous students have been involved in helping with waste audits related to pre-consumer waste in preparation for a new composing facility. In the residential halls there are also recycling competitions.

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:
A student in ENST499 is conducting a survey of irrigation on campus to assess current watering practices.

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
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 Coordination & Planning:
Students in ENST499 in 2018 helped with compiling data for this AASHE STARS report.

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
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 Diversity & Affordability:
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Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
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 Investment & Finance:
A CWU student in 2018 conducted a study of CWU investments, related to STARS PA-8,9,10, and presented the results of his work at SOURCE, a symposium on undergraduate research at CWU. Additionally during Earth Week in 2019 students from the Environmental Club organized a panel on Divestment.

Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
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 Public Engagement:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
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 Wellbeing & Work:
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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)?:
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 other areas:
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Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.