| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 37.00 |
| Liaison | Bo Solomon |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
Drexel University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.80 / 4.00 |
Korin
Tangtrakul Sustainability Manager Sustainable Water Resources Engineering Lab |
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:
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:
An architectural engineering professor dedicated her course, "Responsive Urban Environments" to redesigning the Dornsife Center for Community Partnerships, a Drexel-run community hub just off campus, into a Community Resilience Hub that would provide resources and shelter during a crisis. Features included solar energy and battery backup (to ensure electricity supply during an emergency event), food production (via the community garden and hydroponics) and stormwater management installations including rainwater harvesting. The proposed designs were conceptual, but were presented to Dornsife Center staff for consideration.
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:
Drexel Real Estate and Facilities staff hired an engineering student co-op (similar to a 6-month paid internship) to assist with buildings data tracking and sustainability initiatives in campus 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:
Students in an Environmental Communications class were tasked with developing a campaign to encourage using less energy on campus, targeting student dorms. Interestingly, many students pointed out that individual actions towards energy reduction would be less effective than institutional change.
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:
Students in a "Triple Bottom Line" course in the School of Entrepreneurship were tasked with pitching a social venture on campus using B-Corporation and Worker Owned Union Co-op models. One student group came up with the concept for a "Sky Garden" - a Drexel University rooftop space that doubled as a rooftop garden and event space that utilized produce from the garden, owned and operated by Drexel students.
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:
For a class project on "Reversing Global Warming", a student looked into the feasibility of replacing the campus shuttle buses with electric buses. The student used campus emissions data to analyze emissions reductions with electric buses, financing options and suggested charging locations along the bus route.
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:
In partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department, the Sustainable Water Resource Engineering Lab conducted studies of a rain garden and rainwater cistern, with real time data available at gsilaboratory.org
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:
Drexel's Climate and Sustainability Working Group hired a student co-op (similar to a 6-month paid internship) to analyze our first STARS report and identify gaps and opportunities to improve our score. The student presented these findings to Drexel administrators including the President. The co-op student also initiated Drexel Eco-Reps.
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.