Eureka College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

The 2015 sustainability class (EVS260) completed the College's first greenhouse gas inventory,which is serving as the baseline for comparison of future greenhouse gas inventories.

The sustainability at EC course Spring 2014: Two senior students did a research project on lighting retrofit options to save energy at the Reagan Athletic Center.

In 2016, a Environmental Studies sophomore worked with facilities collecting preliminary data on campus utility use by building (collecting data that could be used toward the STARS report in the future).

In 2017, an Environmental Studies junior investigated bat presence on campus, identifying building attics that are occupied and recommending to Facilities and the President of the college which buildings needed repairs to prevent bats entering -- as well as acquiring a bat house and proposing a site for it to be on campus as an alternate roosting space.

In 2018, a student researcher has been working on a solar feasibility study for the college as her capstone research (in progress).

In spring 2014, EVS260: Sustainability had two senior students conduct their research project on lighting retrofit options to save energy at the Reagan Athletic Center.

In 2016, a Environmental Studies sophomore worked with facilities collecting preliminary data on campus utility use by building (collecting data that could be used toward the STARS report in the future).

In 2018, a student researcher has been working on a solar feasibility study for the college as her capstone research (in progress).

Annual dumpster dives have been held to determine the level of recycling on campus and to assess waste in our dining hall and cafe. This information was presented to the Sustainability Committee in 2017 and further research into campus recycling, culture of change, and potential for compost are taking place through faculty-led research and a student internship in 2018-2019, hosted in Environmental Science and Campus Facilities

In 2013, the Botany course designed the native plant gardens and rainwater garden around Sanders Hall (at the time, new construction that is now LEED certified). This research resulted in the hiring of Pizzo and Associates as contractors who used native plants to capture storm water runoff from the new addition (Sanders Hall) -- added on to current academic structure: Vennum-Binkley Hall).

In 2017, management plans were developed by senior EVS students for the Sanders Hall Rainwater garden and a small 18-year old prairie plot near the residential side of campus (including a prairie burn, seed collection, and planting).

In 2018, research was begun on a new area for native plantings near the college football field/athletic area. This detention basin will be planted in fall 2018 with accompanied research projects and management plan development by faculty and student collaborative efforts.

In 2015, two students worked with facilities and maintenance (through the business office) to purchase and install LED candelabra bulbs in Pritchard Theater, the Chapel (campus building for Music), and Burgess Hall (historic campus building).

The sustainability class of Spring 2015 reported on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions put out by the campus fleet, student and employee commuting, and off campus distance travel (such as study abroad travel). This information can be used to educate the campus on the effects of transportation and can be used to create incentives for reducing the impact of transportation.

In 2014, two students worked collaboratively to receive the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant to initiate recycling efforts on Eureka College's campus.

In 2018-2019, the Sustainability Committee, a student intern, campus facilities, and the professor of Environmental Science are conducting a recycling/waste analysis on campus and making recommendations to the board for positive change in relation to campus waste in Spring 2019.

The Spring 2014 Botany class determined which native plant species to use in the rainwater garden/landscaping around the new addition, Sanders Hall (which actually collects water from 2 other nearby academic buildings). The main objectives in choosing the plants were: native, aesthetically pleasing, and help to absorb and retain any storm water that runs off the building allowing it to soak into the ground to replenish the ground water supply as opposed to running into the sewer system.

In 2018 research will begin on a new area of campus to control water infiltration with the use of native plantings.

High efficiency/low flow toilets are installed in most dorms as well as academic buildings on campus and energy efficient water bottle filling stations/drinking fountains were installed in Sanders Hall.

The Sustainability Committee has student and faculty members with student members chairing subcommittees on Sustainable Education and Planning Initiatives. This subcommittee is responsible for planning campus events and speakers in coordination with student organizations (including Campus Activities Board, Student Life, the environmental club, Arts and Lectures Board, etc). A member of student senate also sits on the committee as the chair of the Green Revolving Fund subcommittee with our CFO and other faculty/staff/student members.

All students and faculty have mandatory diversity workshops on campus at the beginning of each school year. Our President, Dr. Jamel Wright, was initially hired at Eureka College as our first Chief Diversity Officer supporting the college's core value of diversity and coordinating the implementation of the college's strategic initiatives. This work has been emphasized since Dr. Wright has been inaugurated as our college President. In 2018, students and faculty highlighted diversity through our Arts and Lectures Board, bringing two guest lectures-in-residence in the spring semester, both focused on Racism and Diversity.

In 2014, students initiated the creation of a green revolving fund and in 2017, an advanced student successfully requested $25,000 from student senate to endow the fund. The sustainability committee now has a subcommittee to manage the fund and applications from students, faculty, or staff to propose sustainable advancements on campus that support the business case (financially) for sustainability at the college.

The college has members of the community (City Planner of the City of Eureka, vocational group with recycling facility, County Board member) on our Sustainability Committee that work side-by-side with students. Students are also involved in individual research projects in the local parks which they then share with the public (i.e., a new public access hiking trail at the park). An annual festival, open to all, is held by SAGE< our student environmental group as well.

Multiple courses at the 100 to 300-level in Environmental Studies focused on sustainability and environmental policy interact in our community through research projects, field trips, and guest lectures. These courses also meet general education capabilities and are open to students from all disciplines to learn more about how their campus, community, and natural resources are connected.

We currently do not have a website, but are creating one this summer/fall for our Sustainability Efforts. In the meantime, I have put the link for the Environmental Science program, as that is where I (Dr. Katy Everett, Chair of the Sustainability Committee) am located as well as Environmental Studies.