Overall Rating Reporter
Overall Score
Liaison Kathleen Hilimire
Submission Date Feb. 23, 2022

STARS v2.2

Fort Lewis College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
-- Reporter Kathleen Hilimire
Assistant Professor
Environmental Studies
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Campus Engagement

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:
BA 334: Sustainable Tourism. Students have to create sustainable centerpieces for the Etiquette Dinner.

Public Engagement 

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:
SOC 331: Environmental Sociology. We organized a campus event where students who travelled to Standing Rock could talk about their experiences and how they relate to social/environmental justice

Air & Climate 

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:
Biology 110: Modern Issues in Environmental Biology. Students designed projects to collect baseline data on the food forest and natural ecosystems to understand the data needed to determine climate change impacts.

ENVS 395: Environmental Colloquium. Students conducted research how to advance FLC's Carbon Commitment.

Buildings  

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:
ENVS 395: Environmental Colloquium. Students conducted research how to advance FLC's Carbon Commitment.

Energy 

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:
ENVS 395: Environmental Colloquium. Students conducted research how to advance FLC's Carbon Commitment.

Food & Dining 

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:
ENVS 319: Ecological Agriculture. Students used the campus garden to analyze how to provide sustainable food to the campus dining hall.

Grounds 

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:
ENVS 320: Environmental Research Methods and Design. Students conducted campus research on the biodiversity of lawns and gardens on campus.

ENVS 395: Environmental Colloquium. Students conducted research on campus xeriscapes; how to advance FLC's Carbon Commitment; and wildlife-friendly habitats on campus.

Purchasing 

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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Transportation 

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

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
ENVS 320: Environmental Research Methods and Design. Students conducted research on commuting behaviors among campus users and opportunities to improve sustainable commuting.

Waste 

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:
ENVS 320: Environmental Research Methods and Design. Students conducted campus research on how to improve the recycling program.

Water 

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:
Biology 110: Modern Issues in Environmental Biology. Students designed projects to collect baseline data on the food forest and natural ecosystems to understand the data needed to determine climate change impacts.

Bio 245: Ecology. Snow sampling methodologies and we head down to the river for a series of river labs. Experimental design for ecological studies is the focus of this course's labs.

Coordination & Planning 

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

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

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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Wellbeing & Work 

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

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:
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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.