| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 43.68 |
| Liaison | Jeane Pope |
| Submission Date | June 23, 2020 |
DePauw University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Malorie
Imhoff Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Dedicated in May 2019, the Ullem Campus Farm and Center for Sustainability invites students to engage with hands-on sustainability and agricultural initiatives. The building features a spacious, flexible interior equipped with resource-saving systems that demonstrate practical ways to enhance environmental quality. The surrounding 12-acre property offers opportunities for education, food production and community engagement for DePauw and Greencastle. Each season, the Ullem Campus Farm welcomes hundreds of students, volunteers and visitors who come as members of sports teams, service scholarships and classes. Student interns and volunteers use organic practices to provide fresh and healthy produce for campus dining and undertake personalized projects such as vermicomposting, aquaponics and beekeeping.
ULLEM CENTER SUSTAINABLE FEATURES
As a hub for sustainability on campus, the Ullem Center was built with various sustainable features including:
Radiant heating uses the building's solar panels to collect energy from ultraviolet light to heat coils of water under the floor
With no traditional air conditioning unit, a large ceiling fan and exhaust fan circulate air and keep the building cool while using less energy.
LED lighting is activated through occupancy sensors and is more energy efficient and longer lasting than other commercial lighting.
Low-flow sinks and toilets conserve water.
Landscaping features edible and pollinator-friendly perennial fruit bushes, flowers and herbs.
On-site composting supports healthy soils on the farm while keeping biodegradable materials out of landfills and reducing associated emissions.
SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES
The Ullem Campus Farm strives to teach students about food and agriculture through sustainable, low-impact farming methods.
Chemical-free farming: The farm follows the USDA's organic farming recommendations by avoiding the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Crop rotation, hand weeding, integrated pest management, companion planting, cover crops and organic compost limit weeds and pests without using harmful chemicals.
Reduced tilling: The process of land preparation is primarily non-mechanized and uses:
Polyethylene tarps to integrate cover crops, kill weed seeds, promote worm activity and create mulch.
A broadfork for soil aeration.
Hand tools for planting and weeding.
A two-wheel rototiller that disrupts less than six inches of soil
Water conservation: Drip-tape irrigation gives plants a direct source of water to their roots rather than their leaves, reducing evaporation and water usage.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Public Engagement
Website URL where more information about the accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Name of a second highlighted sustainability program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
In 2017, our Office of Facilities Management Services invigorated DePauw’s efforts to transform its
energy infrastructure by developing our Campus Energy Master Plan (CEMP) in collaboration
with Ecosystems Energy Services. The long-term energy infrastructure strategy will renew heating and cooling systems to lower costs and improve sustainability.
CEMP BENEFITS
33%+ reduction in campus-wide energy use = energy used by 750 midwestern homes
7,303 tons reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions = 2,303 cars off the road each year
Improved reliability -> comfortable learning environment
Increased heating and cooling capacity -> future campus growth
Energy savings -> go toward funding the project
CEMP PROJECTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF IMPLEMENTATION
LED lighting upgrade
Campus-wide heating and cooling network upgrade
Central cooling plants upgrade
Central heating plant upgrade
Controls optimization
Low-flow sinks, toilets, and shower heads
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Buildings
Energy
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Name of a third highlighted program/initiative/accomplishment:
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
The Sustainability Leadership Program (SLP) is a DePauw Office of Sustainability initiative and supported by the Environmental Fellows Program and Hubbard Center for Student Engagement. Through both paid and volunteer hands-on opportunities, students are equipped to navigate complex challenges and create lasting change to become the leaders of today and tomorrow. The tiered system of leadership allows multiple engagement points for the over 80 students participating each semester.
LEVEL 1: GREEN TIGER
Students learn about sustainability topics by attending weekly meetings which feature speakers, documentaries, and environmentally-focused discussions.
LEVEL 2: ECO-REP
Students attend weekly meetings and join a team of 8-10 students to work on a campus sustainability initiative. Eco-reps work collaboratively to address campus waste, environmental justice, fast fashion, and more.
LEVEL 3: STUDENT PROJECT MANAGER (PAID OPPORTUNITY)
Students develop leadership skills by managing Eco-Reps groups for one of many dynamic projects. Learn what it’s like to manage a small business by running our thrift shop; make executive decisions at the Ullem Campus Farm; partner with Facilities Management on energy efficiency initiatives; prepare testimony for the Indiana General Assembly, and more!
LEVEL 4: STUDENT DIRECTOR (PAID OPPORTUNITY)
Oversee student projects, present at conferences, and help peers develop leadership skills. The student director position is a paid, co-curricular opportunity for experienced seniors.
Groups change each semester, but past SLP projects have included:
DePauw Environmental Policy Project
Zero Waste
Campus Farm
Environmental Racism
Climate Justice
Forestry
Sustainable Energy
Wilderness & Conservation
Thrifty Tiger
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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.