| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 33.05 |
| Liaison | Lynda Koot |
| Submission Date | Nov. 8, 2021 |
The King's University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Michael
Ferber Director, Environmental Studies Environmental Studies |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
In the Environmental Studies capstone course (ENVS 491), the students engage in semester long group projects to advance campus sustainability or serve local nonprofit agencies. This course has a long history of contributing to campus sustainability through these projects, including doing energy audits, researching sustainability tracking systems (leading to the choice for the institution to participate in STARS), preparing STARS reports, preparing a management plan for the swale on campus, and doing a sustainability audit of the university website.
This STARS report is being prepared by a student and two faculty members as an independent study for which the student is receiving academic credit.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
In the Environmental Studies capstone course (ENVS 491), the students engage in semester long group projects to advance campus sustainability or serve local nonprofit agencies. Students have created an educational creation care tool for a national church conference, created a restoration plan and a trail management plan for a local land trust, created sustainable harvest guidelines for a protected old-growth forest, and updated a financing guide for faith communities to green their buildings for a national environmental NGO. These projects are part of the Community Engaged Research program, through which students, mostly in the social sciences, provide research services to local organizations and agencies.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
The Introduction to Sustainability course (ENVS 200), includes several tours of the campus, highlighting sustainability features. When possible, this tour is provided by members of the facilities department to showcase their most recent sustainability initiatives. The process of sustainability development on campus is also discussed.
In the Environmental Studies capstone course (ENVS 491), the students engage in semester long group projects to advance campus sustainability or serve local nonprofit agencies. Campus sustainability projects have included a campus swale management plan; STARS reporting; an assessment of connections (or disconnections) between the sustainability elements of the university's vision statement and the university body; and an audit of the university website for sustainability content.
This STARS report is being prepared by a student and two faculty members as an independent study for which the student is receiving academic credit.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
The King's University campus grounds include a swale, which was created by the city as a flood management measure. It is a depressed area covered in vegetation and is used for educational purposes, particularly in biology classes.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
The Environmental Studies capstone course uses the history of sustainability planning and action as a case study for understanding how sustainability change occurs in society through institutions.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.