| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 26.01 |
| Liaison | Doug Oetter |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
Georgia College & State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Doug
Oetter Professor History and Geography |
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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:
Several courses utilize campus energy, water, and materials data in class assignments. Classes tour facilities, conduct waste audits, and participate in engaged learning.
Public Engagement
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
Our university's strategic initiative is Community Engagement, and this has been realized through a competitive grant system to give students more exposure to working with people and groups outside the school. A good example is River Day, when the Environmental Science Club and the Kiwanis Club teamed up to present a day of education, research, and outreach at the local river greenway. The students were very impressed with how they had become 'experts' on the river system and were able to teach local citizens about their environment.
Air & Climate
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Students from Community Health major conducted research into indoor air quality studies. The research highlighted potential illnesses due to molds, mildew, and hazardous chemicals. The students prepared results to help campus improve indoor air quality.
Buildings
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
A senior-level class in Physics directed a complete energy and water audit of the main science building, and made recommendations for new designs and improvements. They presented their work at a Sustainability Council meeting with a great reception from the Facilities Director.
Energy
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Students in an upper-level Geography class completed a campus energy assessment for a class project and presented their findings to the Facilities Director. The Campus Sustainability Office has been working with faculty to deliver actual energy usage for class projects. Students have indicated that they have learned more about energy use and are motivated to conserve.
Food & Dining
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
A student organization, the Environmental Science Club, has initiated an audit of the main cafeteria for the Real Food Challenge assessment. Another organization, the Gardening Club, has built an organic garden on campus and is training students to grow their own food. A very popular class, Food Ethics, has focused hundreds of students into new knowledge of eating behaviors, and a Meatless Monday group has grown out of the involvement of University Housing.
Grounds
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Students in an upper-level Geography campus have mapped campus resources (edible plants, trees, bike racks, stormwater flows, recreational paths, public safety areas, etc.) for study and recommendations. Some of these students presented their results to the Campus Architect for the location of rainwater collection systems, green roof options, and solar photovoltaic installations. The student work helps the university move forward with recommendations to improve campus sustainability, and better prepares them for careers in the field.
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
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Several upper-level students in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education have conducted bicycling studies and recreation assessments. Their results have been informed student proposals under the Sustainability Fee Program to acquire sustainable products across campus, including covered bike racks, a bike share program, dedicated bike paths, sustainable climbing wall holds, and improvements in the campus shuttle bus routes. The school benefits from exposure to new ideas that can be practically sourced, and the students are exposed to creative and lucrative opportunities for careers.
Waste
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
We participate in Recyclemania and involve student groups to collect, analyze, and distribute information on recycling and waste management. Several students have written successful Sustainability Fee Project grants to improve recycling. The students have helped us reduce our waste generation and increase participation rates in recycling.
Water
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Students from a senior-level Marketing class installed water meters on three residence halls and analyzed the impacts of low-flow shower heads on water use. The results indicate that students are receptive to information about water conservation, and the Housing department has implemented improvements to save water.
Coordination & Planning
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
The Sustainability Council has worked with the Student Government Association to create a new staff position in student government, Director of Environmental Affairs. The students in this position coordinate with student leaders and the administration to plan, carry out, and report on sustainable initiatives. The student director participates in the University Senate.
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
Yes
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Students in Community Health have been assigned Service Learning projects at local sustainable gardens and the various farmer's markets. The students help grow and prepare food, publicize events, and work at the markets. Other students serve to advance the initiatives of the Live Healthy Baldwin cooperative to promote exercise and healthy eating in local schools and communities. This form of service learning benefits the students with exposure to careers in sustainability, and provides much needed assistance to these programs in the community.
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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