| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.54 |
| Liaison | Elaine Durr |
| Submission Date | Feb. 19, 2020 |
Elon University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Elaine
Durr Senior Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Campus Engagement
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
In the course Eco-Art, students create art installations around campus to engage the campus community on a variety of sustainability-related issues, such as food waste, air and water pollution, endangered species, climate change impacts, and energy issues. Projects occur in greenhouses, in campus buildings, at the weekly college coffee gathering, among other spaces.
Public Engagement
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
In the Environmental Studies Senior Seminar course student groups work with community partners on projects connected to sustainability. A few examples are:
-One group worked with multiple community partners to further knowledge of seed breeding, crop diversity and pollinator gardens in North Carolina. The project included conducting interviews of local seed breeders, producing short documentaries, researching heirloom crops to be introduced to North Carolina as the climate begins to change and installing a pollinator garden at a nearby charter school.
-One group worked with a nearby municipality to assess the health of a river post removal of a building from the floodplain.
-One group created an online farmland inventory for the county to connect local businesses and consumers to organically-sourced food.
-One group worked with staff at a park in a nearby town to assess erosion problems and possible solutions. A test site was developed with installed compost blankets, berms and socks.
Students enrolled in Green Design and Sustainable Futures and Sustainable Design Technologies were actively engaged in the design-build process for Blawesome, a socially responsible small business located in a nearby county that specializes in cultivating and delivering locally and organically grown bouquets of flowers throughout three central North Carolina communities. The project was developed sensibly and sensitively with respect to the natural environment, as well as to the specific programmatic needs. Placement and orientation of the structures, infrastructure and agricultural fields were studied carefully in situ. Lumber from clearing was harvested, seasoned and utilized in the construction of the farmhouse, barn and greenhouse. The structures intentionally interact with the site and are built from a slow material palette consisting of concrete, steel and wood.
-One group worked with multiple community partners to further knowledge of seed breeding, crop diversity and pollinator gardens in North Carolina. The project included conducting interviews of local seed breeders, producing short documentaries, researching heirloom crops to be introduced to North Carolina as the climate begins to change and installing a pollinator garden at a nearby charter school.
-One group worked with a nearby municipality to assess the health of a river post removal of a building from the floodplain.
-One group created an online farmland inventory for the county to connect local businesses and consumers to organically-sourced food.
-One group worked with staff at a park in a nearby town to assess erosion problems and possible solutions. A test site was developed with installed compost blankets, berms and socks.
Students enrolled in Green Design and Sustainable Futures and Sustainable Design Technologies were actively engaged in the design-build process for Blawesome, a socially responsible small business located in a nearby county that specializes in cultivating and delivering locally and organically grown bouquets of flowers throughout three central North Carolina communities. The project was developed sensibly and sensitively with respect to the natural environment, as well as to the specific programmatic needs. Placement and orientation of the structures, infrastructure and agricultural fields were studied carefully in situ. Lumber from clearing was harvested, seasoned and utilized in the construction of the farmhouse, barn and greenhouse. The structures intentionally interact with the site and are built from a slow material palette consisting of concrete, steel and wood.
Air & Climate
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
In an Environmental Economics course, a student group researched carbon offset strategies for the university's study abroad travel.
Buildings
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
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Energy
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
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Food & Dining
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
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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
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
In an Environmental Economics course a student group researched sustainable procurement and vendor strategies to make recommendations to expand the university's work in this area.
Transportation
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
A student group in an Environmental Economics course researched bike sharing and bike rental programs to make a recommendation to enhance sustainable transportation options on campus.
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
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
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Coordination & Planning
No
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
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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.