| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.08 |
| Liaison | Jamey Pavey |
| Submission Date | Feb. 26, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Earlham College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Lisa
Butch Assistant Director of Sustainability Center for Integrated Learning |
Is the institution utilizing the campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in the following areas?:
| Yes or No | |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | --- |
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Air & Climate and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Student Sustainability Corps program offers an internship during which a student studies the greenhouse gas emissions of the college and prepares and greenhouse gas emissions report each year. In 2013 the intern has also prepared independent research on the carbon sequestration by college owned woods. This work is used by the college as it considers carbon emissions reductions options.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students in the introductory Environmental Studies course Environment and Society did term projects in Fall 2014 and many of them focused on education regarding the new LEED certified buildings on campus, including making educational signs videos, and interactive displays about the features of the buildings.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Dining Services/Food and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Student Sustainability Corps employs two Sustainable Food specialists who conduct research on food options and sustainability for the college dining services. Currently the Sustainable Food Specialists are completing the Real Food Calculator, which involves significant research on food origins and companies and extensive data gathering and analysis of college dining hall purchases. The results of the calculator will be used for advocacy for changes in dining hall food purchasing.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Energy and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The computer science department offers applied groups for students to gain credit as they complete applied projects. One of the applied groups, Green Science, has worked with campus electricians to install sub-metering on college residence halls and to create a real-time energy dashboard for the campus. A version of the dashboard is now used for the campus energy wars and encourages campus users to reduce energy use.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Grounds and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In 2012 a college gardens course undertook an examination of campus land use and developed detailed proposals for several gardens on campus. Two of the four gardens have been planted and the other two are slated for creation in the next few years. Additionally, in 2013, a Japanese gardens course studied Japanese conceptions of nature and redesigned and built two Japanese gardens on campus.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Purchasing and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Transportation and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The students are encouraged to take school shuttles and enroll in our CarShare programs. Our school shuttles are driven by student drivers, and they hare accessible for anyone needing transportation somewhere. In addition, the Integrated Program in Sustainability supports a Bicycle Co-operative shop, where students independently manage the shop's working hours, host campus-wide events, and encourage bicycle transportation whenever possible. Students learn mechanic and bicycle maintenance skills, and teach their peers at workshops. Through these venues, students are encouraged to practice what they are taught in the classroom and reduce their mileage using fossil fuels.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Waste and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Student Sustainability Corps employs a Waste Reduction Specialist, a Recycling Specialist, and two Compost Specialists. All of these positions utilize the campus as a living laboratory for understanding waste streams and working to reduce college waste. Students conduct research on college spending on waste categories and propose solutions for reducing costs and waste. Additionally students measure characteristics of the compost system and incorporate data into decision making as they run the compost system.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
As of 2013, Earlham College finished a rain garden planted with native plants. The Environmental Colloquium class in 2012 drafted a plan for a garden that would capture all the rain water from the roof of our Athletics and Wellness Center, and was made possible in part to the Students Action Research grant, which comes out of the Integrated Program in Sustainability. In addition, students have used the Students Action Research grant to get water fountains with a spot for reusable water bottles to be filled.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Coordination, Planning & Governance and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students at Earlham are deeply involved in Coordination, Planning, and Governance as it relates to sustainability on campus. As part of the school's practices and principles, Earlham allows for student representation on all campus committees, and this includes the campus's Sustainability Advisory Committee. Two students sit on this committee as full members and have regular input into the workings of sustainability of campus. Students are also heavily involved in the revamping of our campus farm and are helping the planning process by attending regular meetings to create the new structure for the coordination and governance of the farm.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Diversity & Affordability and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Health, Wellbeing & Work and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Investment and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A student group called ReInvestment actively engages campus on discussions and awareness of the school's investment. They have led discussions, workshops and protests at clean-energy conferences and on campus to promote a fossil fuel-free future.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Public Engagement and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Through a scholarship and volunteer service program called The Bonner Scholars program, students are granted scholarships to continue their work in service during their time at Earlham. Throughout this service, students have worked with organizations such as Cope Environmental Center, Amigos Latino Center, the Joseph Moore Museum, and many others.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory in Other areas and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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.