| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.20 |
| Liaison | Elaine Durr |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2024 |
Elon University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.60 / 4.00 |
Kelly
Harer Associate Director of Sustainability for Education and Outreach Office of Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
In the Eco-Art course 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 and at the weekly college coffee gathering, among other spaces.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
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. Two examples are:
-One group worked with a nearby municipality to research fencing and natural buffer options for a stream. This information will also be used in designing a Habitat for Humanity neighborhood.
-One group worked with a local retirement community to organize a sustainability fair for the community.
In a Foundations of Strategic Communications course, student groups worked with a local grassroots citizen group to develop communications campaigns to reduce waste, specifically among Gen Z consumers and restaurant owners.
A student is doing a faculty mentored research project that partners with a local grassroots environmental advocacy group to explore PFAS (an industrial contaminant) exposure and education in the Black community in Pittsboro, NC. This work involves characterizing the extent of PFAS exposure in the blood of residents being exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. Through interviews and a customized intervention program, the hope is to characterize their knowledge and address their health care needs as it relates to this environmental health issue.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
First-year students in one section of The Global Experience course researched and proposed opportunities for Elon to significantly cut carbon emissions before the students graduate in 3.5 years. Each group was given a category of carbon emissions to research and propose an opportunity to reduce emissions.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Students in three Environmental Studies courses, across three different semesters, have been involved in the design and construction process for the houses in the new EcoVillage Living & Learning Community at Loy Farm (an on campus farm). Students developed prototype designs that informed the final design of the initial house in the community. Students were also involved in constructing the initial house.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
A faculty mentored student research project involved researching, designing and constructing a solar-powered mobile cooling unit for Loy Farm (an on campus farm). The project improved farm operations and harvest quality, as post-harvest cooling vastly improves the quality of produce. Produce from Loy Farm is used in Elon Dining Halls and donated to local community partners.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
In an Engineering course, a group of students researched opportunities to reduce the amount of water content in Elon's Dining Hall compost in order to decrease cost and carbon emissions associated with composting.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
In a Wildlife Ecology course, students did a semester long study on how different small mammals use the natural areas of campus (focusing on two primary areas). The information was used 1) to practice skills used in conservation biology (e.g., mark-recapture), 2) for data analysis and visualization skills, and 3) to discuss ways that we can integrate more wildlife friendly spaces into human dominated environments.
In a Diversity of Life course, students did a series of surveys around campus to study lichen abundance and pollinator abundance across the entire campus. This data was used to support data analysis and visualization skills and also to discuss how and why we measure biodiversity and how different land uses (like native vs. non-native ornamental plants) affect biodiversity.
A faculty mentored student research project examined whether land cover or soil compaction has a greater impact on soil carbon sequestration in the Historic Neighborhood of campus.
A faculty mentored student research project aimed to document the amount of carbon sequestered in soils of the Elon University Forest and to identify what factors play the largest role in affecting this soil's carbon storage capabilities.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
In an Introduction to GIS course, a group of students mapped waste bin (recycle, compost and landfill) locations in the Global Neighborhood, which consists of residence halls and a dining hall. This was done in an effort to record how many of each type of bin are placed in particular buildings.
In an Engineering Design course, groups of students researched waste habits on campus and designed a variety of opportunities to increase waste diversion, including indoor and outdoor bin designs.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
In the Engineering Senior Capstone course students developed floating constructed wetlands and water-quality sensors in a stormwater drainage retention pond on campus. This was the launch of an ongoing water research project.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.