| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.39 |
| Liaison | Ciara Tennis |
| Submission Date | Dec. 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Eastern Connecticut State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Stephen
Nathan Environmental Earth Science Professor Environmental Earth Science |
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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:
In 2017, a student conducted a green house gas inventory as part of an internship investigating sources of emissions and impacts on air quality and global warming potential of these emissions on campus.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
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:
A student monitored room occupancy (I.e., classrooms, offices, kitchenettes, etc.) within several campus buildings as the capstone project of an independent study course. The student presented (a poster) of their findings at a local conference.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
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:
A student monitored room occupancy (I.e., classrooms, offices, kitchenettes, etc.) within several campus buildings as the capstone project of an independent study course. The student presented (a poster) of their findings at a local conference.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
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:
In 2016, as part of an internship, a student did preliminary research on composting options for the Dining Hall, examining the challenges of in-vessel composting. The Dining department did independent research and connected Eastern with an off-site composting facility which, as of 2017, composts all food waste from the Dining Hall.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
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:
Students have monitored the impacts of campus building on the campus arboretum. During different building phases students have monitored run-off into the arboretum.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
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:
Students have researched green purchasing policies at other universities and State of CT environmental purchasing laws to help our Fiscal Affairs Office develop a green purchasing policy for Eastern.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
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:
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
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:
Students throughout 2016-18 have been conducting campus waste audits for trash and recycling for academic and dormitory buildings. Their work is being used to influence waste decisions being made on campus. For example, we have adjusted our waste management contract to fit our actual service and dumpster needs, significantly reducing our collection and disposal costs.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
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:
Students have conducted many hydrological studies on Eastern's campus investigating different levels of contaminants such as arsenic levels in water. Results have been presented at national conferences.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
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:
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
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:
Students in the business department have been involved with conducting studies of faculty and staff attitudes toward sustainable behaviors as well as investigating diversity and affordability on campus.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
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:
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
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:
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
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:
Students in the business department have been involved with conducting studies of faculty and staff attitudes toward sustainable behaviors as well as investigating diversity and affordability on campus.
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)?:
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:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information for this credit was provided by Steve Nathan and includes additional examples from students based at the Institute for Sustainable Energy for projects that were conducted during 2017-2018.
The information for this credit was provided by Steve Nathan and includes additional examples from students based at the Institute for Sustainable Energy for projects that were conducted during 2017-2018.
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.