| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.10 |
| Liaison | Jen Jones |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
College of Charleston
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.80 / 4.00 |
Jen
Jones Director Center for Sustainable Development |
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:
Beginning in Spring 2020, a graduate student initiated a Behavioral Economics study to learn if changes to recycling infrastructure in our campus basketball arena lead to marked differences in recycling rates. The purpose of this research is to address how different nudges can be used to increase recycling behavior in TD Arena. The EAST Framework will be a guide to determine the best types of nudges to be used within this study. Waste auditing procedures were used to quantify existing waste diversion rates, and changes to those rates following changes in choice architecture within TD Arena at the College of Charleston. Over the course of the 2022-23 men’s basketball season, waste diversion rates improved and significant reductions in the proportion of recyclable materials in the trash were observed when increasing recycling infrastructure in the arena. However, there is no significant difference between the generic signage and the specific signage. This can be a result of the dramatic increase in attendance during the end of the data collection period. This study has tested methods of increasing recycling in a collegiate athletics setting that can also be applied on a wider scale at the College of Charleston and beyond. https://today.cofc.edu/2022/10/17/new-recycling-bins-at-td-arena-nudge-campus-to-a-more-sustainable-future/
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
In the spring of 2022, EVSS 595 Students were given the opportunity to partake in a hands-on experience to translate classroom sustainability knowledge into institutional sustainability action. Students designed, implemented, and measured sustainability goals and learned how to assess barriers, identify and engage stakeholders, and maximize impact of evidence-based sustainability strategies. They laid the foundation for the campus-wide Zero Waste Action Plan.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify the elements of sustainability that impact organizations and the risks and opportunities associated with those impacts
2. Analyze sustainability as a system within an organization
3. Design lectures and discussions on topics related to organizational sustainability
4. Apply stakeholder analysis as a critical component of organizational sustainability implementation
5. Organize research for and model organizational sustainability tactics in the development of a College of Charleston zero waste action plan
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:
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:
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.