| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.10 |
| Liaison | Bo Solomon |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
Drexel University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.80 / 4.00 |
Bo
Solomon University Sustainability Officer Procurement |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Campus Engagement
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
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Public Engagement
Yes
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.
Air & Climate
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
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Buildings
Yes
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.
Energy
Yes
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.
Food & Dining
Yes
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.
Grounds
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
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Purchasing
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
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Transportation
Yes
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.
Waste
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
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Water
Yes
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
Coordination & Planning
Yes
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.
Diversity & Affordability
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Investment & Finance
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
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Wellbeing & Work
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Optional Fields
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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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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.