Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.14
Liaison Scott Doyle
Submission Date Dec. 7, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Ithaca College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Zachary Luckin
REMP Intern
OESM
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Air & Climate:
ENVS courses monitor the campuses energy use and associated green house gas inventory to study contribution and effects to climate change. Total natural gas usage for dormitories are used to calculate the amount of green house gases that were emitted into the atmosphere.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Buildings:
ENVS classes monitor energy use from buildings are used to find green house gas emissions. The Center for Natural Sciences is also used to study heating efficiency and insulation. Digital temperature sensors are used in different parts of the building to find where heat is lost and to observe how different materials conduct heat and how that effects the building's temperature and envelope.

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Energy:
ENVS courses look at energy use in the form of electricity and natural gas for different buildings across campus. Classes calculate output of the college's new solar farm and how it will affect energy demands from outside sources. Wind studies from on campus are also used to predict the viability of wind turbines on campus and the impacts it would have on current energy demands.

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Food & Dining:
Professors in the Environmental Studies and Sciences (ENVS) departments research and test sustainable food systems in dining halls. Both hydroponics and aquaponics are used to grow herbs and other produce, which are then used in food prepared for students by dining services. Professors in the ENVS and Health departments also teach classes about permaculture and organic gardening practices using the schools four organic gardens.

Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Grounds:
Professors in the ENVS department lead courses and research focused on land management and invasive species monitoring and mitigation. Students learn sustainable land management practices, how to identify and properly remove invasive species, and introducing native species such American Chestnut. Other courses examine and study the campus' mitigation wetlands and use alternative landscaping plots to exhibit alternative land use techniques.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Purchasing:
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Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Transportation:
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Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Waste:
ENVS classes do survey of waste. Classes examine trash and recycling locations across campus to see what and how students are discarding their waste. Compost generation is also studied and students take trip to local composting facility to learn about the breakdown and recycling of nutrients.

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Water:
ENVS classes experiments with using water from storm drains to grow radishes. Conductivity was monitored for a year to find a baseline and average high and low levels. Plants were then grown with water with several conductivity levels to see effects on growth. Other classes also measure conductivity and pollutants in water from storm drains at several points from across campus.

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Coordination & Planning:
The ENVS department's sustainable planning class looks at planning and buildings across campus to examine impacts on livability, accessibility, and movement. The class looks at the current campus plan and proposed plans for new buildings on campus, with consideration for the planning, decision, and finding processes.

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Investment & Finance:
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Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Public Engagement:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Other Impact Areas 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to other areas (e.g. arts & culture or technology)?:
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A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to other areas:
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Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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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