Goucher College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

With student composting, the Campus Agriculture Co-op composts a portion of the waste produced in the dining halls. On weekdays, the student group collects buckets of raw fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen at Stimson Dining Hall, and the waste is taken to the co-op's composting site. Goucher community members can also compost their own food at various collection sites. White plastic buckets found at these locations are for fruit, vegetables, coffee grinds, and yard materials such as leaves, grass, and woodchips. Meats, dairy, and cooked food are not accepted. Begun as a student project in Peace Studies, Goucher's community garden has won strong support across campus. Any student, faculty, or staff member can reserve a plot and grow their own herbs and produce. Additionally, Goucher's food management vendor sources some herbs and assorted vegetables from the Goucher Campus Ag Group Community Garden, for a total of 10 pounds per week, 18 weeks per year. Regarding associated research and presentations, Goucher students William Daly and Joseph Fink. 2013. Economic Assessment of Hydroponic Lettuce Production at Goucher College. 5th Annual Landmark Summer Research Symposium, presented at Susquehana University Goucher student Sarah Meade. 2013. Market Offers Wealth of Tradition-and Veggies-for Immigrant Farmers and Shoppers. 5th Annual Landmark Summer Research Symposium, presented at Susquehanna University.

Goucher student Abbigail Jones. 2013. Examining the Influences of Various Demographic Factors on the Location of Gas Wells in Pennsylvania. 5th Annual Landmark Summer Research Symposium, Presented at Susquehana University.

Goucher student Hannah Locke. 2012. Efforts in the Elucidation of the Chemical Defense of Phragmites australis against Herbivory by the Periwinkle Snail Littoraria irrorata. 4th Annual Landmark Summer Research Symposium, presented at Moravian College.

Goucher students Lenna Blaser and Nicholas Boucher. 2012. Characterization of water quality parameters in suburban streams of Towson, Maryland. 4th Annual Landmark Summer Research Symposium, presented at Moravian College.

The Diversity Standing Committee, comprising students, faculty, and staff, promotes and monitors the development and timely implementation of tangible institutional diversity goals to ensure that the college's mission of diversity is being upheld. The committee performs reviews, make recommendations, and otherwise seeks to ensure the implementation of measurable diversity goals within the institution; it also establishes mechanisms for monitoring progress toward these goals. The committee encourages each division to set reasonable benchmarks and timelines for articulating and accomplishing tangible diversity plans. The committee holds each division responsible for establishing, managing, and making progress toward these diversity goals, and it holds senior management accountable for implementing the diversity goals set forth in their respective divisions. Finally, as a means of keeping the campus community informed of the college's progress toward overall diversity goals, the Diversity Standing Committee will issue an annual report to the president, faculty, students, and staff. Additionally, the student-led Social Justice Committee, an arm of the Student Government Association, works to foster the creation of sustainable projects that promote civic society, equality, freedom of information and education, and other democratic ideals both in and out of the Goucher Community, particularly in the Baltimore area.

The Academic Center for Excellence is a resource center that provides students with opportunities to: • Develop self-awareness and autonomy • Develop positive habits of mind • Take responsibility and ownership for their learning • Develop resilience and coping skills • Learn and use effective study strategies • Enhance and apply critical and analytical thinking skills The center supports this mission through resources and programs such as study-skills workshops and peer-led, content-based supplemental instruction sessions, including math assistance. It also strengthens relaxation and stress-reduction skills through yoga, meditation, and Reiki sessions and encourages students to develop a broader skill set to tap into their inner strengths as they navigate the rigors of daily college life. Academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities are also implemented at the center, which is staffed by professional learning specialists and a trained graduate intern.

Goucher continues to make a dedicated investment in the local community. The Office of Community Relations serves as the connection point for neighborhood organizations, business associations, and all community members. Our speakers series brings today’s leading idea makers to campus on a regular basis to generate dialogue across a range of topics. We welcome the community at these thought-provoking talks, and most are free of charge. We also present regular programming in the arts—including music, dance, theatre, and art exhibitions. Our facilities are available to businesses to rent, and our community-based learning program is always seeking to place our student volunteers with local nonprofits that have a need. Particularly effective programs include English-language and computer skills instruction on campus for members of the Baltimore County Latino community at Goucher's Futuro Latino Learning Center, of reciprocal benefit both to those community members as well as Goucher students interested in service, education, and Hispanic languages and cultures.

http://www.goucher.edu/student-life/diversity/diversity-standing-committee http://www.goucher.edu/about/community-relations