Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 31.92
Liaison Tom Kovacs
Submission Date Sept. 30, 2022

STARS v2.2

Eastern Michigan University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Thomas Kovacs
Professor
Geography and Geology
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:

Students in ENVI 305W designed a "restoration plan" for a stand of trees near a planned new dormitory building to enhance biodiversity on campus (through native plantings and providing habitat for insects etc), campus community appreciation of biodiversity and native species (through signage and involvement of student groups and other orgs on campus), and campus community use of the space (through installation of an 'outdoor classroom' intended for use by courses in any discipline).

In NURS 450 Community Health Nursing students completed virtual reality simulation experiences at Halle Library. The virtual reality experiences addressed social determinants of health with a focus on the Asian American community, and providing culturally competent care. The students have also been involved in flu vaccine clinics through the EMU Center for Health Disparities, Innovations, and Studies.

In ANTH 337 students choose research based on their own interest in a particular domain of applied anthropology, they investigate a specific issue relevant to contemporary human problems. For example, a student researched faculty-student mentorship in the case of EMU’s Anthropology program: this student did interviews and surveys with anthropology students and faculty as well as an academic advisor at the Francine Parker Advising Center.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:

In MGMT 202 Business Communications, student groups provide supporting evidence from credible business articles, demographics, statistics, website review, personal interviews with the employees/members/customers of the chosen company (including local companies), e-mail communications from a company to warrant the company to receive the Green America’s “Green Business Certification”. (Company cannot already be certified.)


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:

For both ESSC 101 and 311 we use the campus weather station for measuring various weather parameters and performing calculations. This includes calculating relative humidity and vertical temperature lapse rates.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:

The campus and its built and natural environments, as well as the whole built and natural environments beyond are the biggest laboratories for our sustainability teaching in sustainable construction and Construction Management Programs.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:

For GEOG 150 Thinking Sustainably students often do projects using the campus as a living laboratory. Example includes Energy production on campus (co-gen plant) and potential for alternative energy on campus.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:

In PHIL 224 Ethics & Food, the students are required to keep track of all of the food waste they see on campus over a period of one week. They then meet in small groups to discuss their observations and suggest ways that EMU might reduce food waste.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:

Students in ENVI 305W designed a "restoration plan" for a stand of trees near a planned new dormitory building to enhance biodiversity on campus (through native plantings and providing habitat for insects etc), campus community appreciation of biodiversity and native species (through signage and involvement of student groups and other orgs on campus), and campus community use of the space (through installation of an 'outdoor classroom' intended for use by courses in any discipline).


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to 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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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:

For GEOG 150 Thinking Sustainably students often do projects using the campus as a living laboratory. Examples include, Analysis of the state of recycling on campus (metals, paper, batteries, etc) and a dorm Trash audit.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:

In ESSC 448 Hydrogeology, students take a field trip to Fish Lake to learn how to measure groundwater levels in wells and perform slug tests to determine aquifer hydraulic conductivity.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:

For GEOG 150 Thinking Sustainably students often do projects using the campus as a living laboratory. Example includes a comparison of the university sustainability commission and student-led sustainability organizations.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:

In NURS 450 Community Health Nursing students completed virtual reality simulation experiences at Halle Library. The virtual reality experiences addressed social determinants of health with a focus on the Asian American community, and providing culturally competent care. The students have also been involved in flu vaccine clinics through the EMU Center for Health Disparities, Innovations, and Studies.

In ANTH 337 students choose research based on their own interest in a particular domain of applied anthropology, they investigate a specific issue relevant to contemporary human problems. For example, a student researched LGBTQ+ mental health issues, which were worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic on the EMU campus: this student conducted interviews with LGBTQ+ students with mental health problems at EMU and evaluated the relevant services provided by EMU’s Counseling and Psychological Services.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to 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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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:

In NURS 450 Community Health Nursing students completed virtual reality simulation experiences at Halle Library. The virtual reality experiences addressed social determinants of health with a focus on the Asian American community, and providing culturally competent care. The students have also been involved in flu vaccine clinics through the EMU Center for Health Disparities, Innovations, and Studies.

In ANTH 337 students choose research based on their own interest in a particular domain of applied anthropology, they investigate a specific issue relevant to contemporary human problems. For example, a student researched LGBTQ+ mental health issues, which were worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic on the EMU campus: this student conducted interviews with LGBTQ+ students with mental health problems at EMU and evaluated the relevant services provided by EMU’s Counseling and Psychological Services.


Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Information received from individual faculty from our sustainability courses survey completed in Winter 2022.


Information received from individual faculty from our sustainability courses survey completed in Winter 2022.

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.