Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 39.55
Liaison Gabrielle Lommel
Submission Date June 28, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Concordia College - Moorhead
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.60 / 4.00 Samantha Westrate
Sustainability Coordinator
Academic Affairs
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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:
The Office of Sustainability has a paid internship position for a student to work with Facilities Management and other departments on campus to create a GHG emissions inventory. Students will be included in the President's Sustainability Council working groups that are charged with creating the upcoming climate action plan through the Climate Commitment. Their participation will focus on learning, and research for each component.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
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 Buildings:
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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 Office of Sustainability has a paid internship position for a student to work with Facilities Management and other departments on campus to create a GHG emissions inventory. This has a large focus on energy and energy efficiency projects.

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:
The Office of Sustainability has a paid internship position for a student to work with the campus community on food waste reduction. The intern will collaborate with the food waste working group that reports to the President's Sustainability Council. In conjunction with Concordia's Taste Not Waste campaign to reduce food waste in Anderson Commons by 50% by 2020, Dietetic and Nutrition Interns work with Dining Services to conduct food waste audits each semester. The data from these audits is used by the Taste Not Waste campaign to help educate consumers on their plate waste and offer reduction strategies.

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:
In 2012, the campus organic garden, Cornucopia was started by students and faculty. Several paid internships are offered at Cornucopia each year. Several courses utilize the space for coursework and projects. The EcoHouse on campus has partnered with the Audubon Society of North Dakota to turn their backyard into an educational space that will showcase a rain garden, native plants, and a pollinator garden. The project was started through a senior course project and is being implemented this summer, 2017.

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:
The Office of Sustainability has a paid internship position for a student to work with Facilities Management and other departments on campus to create a GHG emissions inventory. This has a large focus on carbon emissions and transportation, especially within the campus fleet. A senior capstone project focused on the public transit bus system that runs through Moorhead and Fargo. The projects aim was to educate students on the environmental, social, and economic benefits to choosing public transportation over individual car usage.

Waste 

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

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
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 Water:
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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:
The President's Sustainability Council has two student positions that are appointed by the President for two year terms. The students that sit on the Council get first hand experience and learning into campus coordination & planning, specifically focusing on incorporating sustainability into the College. The working groups to create the upcoming climate action plan through the Climate Commitment will include student participation, learning, and research for each component.

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
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 Diversity & Affordability:
The College Council for Diversity has two student positions that are appointed by the Student Government Association. In particular, the Council will focus early on establishing goals and metrics for diversity, inclusion, and equity at Concordia, and on finalizing the current draft of our public statement on the college commitment to diversity.

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 student group this fall partnered with MPIRG and the campus Student Environmental Alliance to create the Divestment campaign. The campaign called upon the institution to divest from fossil fuel companies and to reinvest in renewable energy and sustainable enterprises. The campaign garnered the support of the Student Government Association and several other student and faculty groups. A proposal was sent to the Board of Regents for consideration.

Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
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 Public Engagement:
In the summer of 2016, a team of students in Dr. Leila Zakhirova's directed research class had an opportunity to examine local energy issues and create a strategic sustainability plan for the city of Fargo.The one-month summer course took students out of the classroom and into the heart of downtown Fargo. Working from collaborative space in the Prairie Den, the group interviewed and met with city officials and players in the energy industry.

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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