Overall Rating	Silver - expired
Overall Score	48.39
Liaison	Connie Morales
Submission Date	Feb. 14, 2020
Executive Letter	Download

STARS v2.1

Claremont McKenna College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	4.00 / 4.00	Kristin Miller Admin Roberts Environmental Center

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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:

Psychology Majors must perform Research and Methods on CMC's energy initiatives in water, gas and electricity. There are 3 yearly paid internships that assist with building management systems, energy efficiency monitoring, and campus wide initiatives such as green guides, composting, air pollution monitoring, LEED certification, among others.

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:

There are internships that pay students to: - assist with monitoring building management systems to improve energy efficiency - assist with LEED certification of buildings - assist with water and energy conservation - assist with composting - generally lead innovative and entrepreneurial projects that increase environmental sustainability and awareness at CMC.

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:

PowerDown is a 3 week yearly energy reduction campaign and contest that is coordinated between the 5 undergraduate colleges at the Claremont Colleges. Faculty, staff and students are heavily involved, and meters are read daily and compared against a 2 week baseline established/measured before the contest begins. There are many awareness raising campaigns, lectures, presentations, celebrations, musicals, etc. on campus. There are funded internships that pay students to: - assist with monitoring building management systems to improve energy efficiency - assist with LEED certification of buildings - assist with energy conservation

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:

There are posters within the dining hall showing students their efforts to use locally produced food. Additionally, vegan and vegetarian options are available to students. Reusable togo containers are provided for students to avoid unnecessary waste. There are internships that pay students to: - assist food waste tracking - assist with composting via citywide pick up

Grounds

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:

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:

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Purchasing

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:

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 Purchasing:

Claremont McKenna College hosts the Conscious Colleges Road Tour, an interactive, hands-on opportunity for students to become informed about conscious living mindful consumption, and mobilizing around sustainable solutions on campus. Different booths are geared at different parts of one's life: food, clothing, hygiene, living, etc and gives tips for sustainable purchasing.

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:

There is an on-campus student-run bicycle loan and repair program that encourages students to use green transportation. The bike shop also repairs scooters and skateboards to promote less car and gas vehicle use.

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:

CMC hosts multiple "Weigh the Waste" events a year, an interactive and educational campaign that aims to bring students’ attention to the problem of food waste in cafeterias. This campaign is a 1-day event where the food, recyclables, and other trash from the lunch period are collected and weighed separately. The data is analyzed and presented via posters/announcements/memos to show the waste and energy consumption of the school’s food excess. This is paired with tips on how to reduce food waste. The school also is part of a food recovery network which takes leftover food from the Athenaeum and Collins Dining Hall to a designated shelter.

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:

CMC loans out drying racks free of charge for students to dry their clothes. In addition to lowering the school's energy usage, this initiative is a visual that promotes the ease of technology-free drying tactics and encourages thinking about sustainability. The EcoReps program supports student peer educators and tasked their representatives with raising water conservation awareness in dorms.

Coordination & Planning

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:

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?:

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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

The CMC Student Investment Fund aims to earn risk-adjusted excess returns above the benchmark S&P 500, while also preparing students for future careers in finance, consulting, tech, nonprofit and entrepreneurship to give qualified students an opportunity to study investing and portfolio management through a “trial by fire” approach, while also creating value for the College’s endowment.

Public Engagement

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

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?:

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:

Roberts Pavilion, a 120,000 square foot gym that features two hydrotherapy pools, 5 trainer tables, and numerous therapy stations is available to all students and holds classes, workshops, and provides students with information about living a healthy lifestyle.

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)?:

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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