Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 33.32
Liaison Laurie Kman
Submission Date March 5, 2021

STARS v2.2

Lewis University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 John Lerczak
Director of Sustainability
Facilities
"---" 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:
This past year we have an operational 1.2 Megawatt solar array that will provide students with opportunities to conduct research and learn the operations of the system. Lewis University is provided a live dashboard that will provide students with an immersed experience as we continue to expand our renewable technologies on campus.

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:
Through our peace studies courses and sustainability club that has been many projects that have involved the public. Through our community garden project in Fairmont to cleaning up our local communities. By conducting these projects it has helped to increase food security in our neighborhoods and helped beautify these areas.
Students getting involved in advocacy around sustainability issues and how getting involved in local issues can be impactful.

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:
Environmental Science students conduct tree assessments throughout campus doing calculations to figure out the benefits of trees. They use a carbon calculator to configure emission reductions.

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:
Within our science building we have an interactive dashboard where students are able to see how our lighting system is performing. Additionally, within this building we utilize a daylight harvesting system that dims or turns off lights when appropriate. Lastly, we have a green roof on the science building that provides students with an additional learning experience.

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:
Many of our buildings on campus are LEED certified and through various incentive programs we are able to reduce our overall consumption. There have been energy audit projects that have involved student workers collecting data pertaining to energy efficiency in buildings.

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:
Yes, we host events and activities in relation to our dining facilities. We host weigh the waste events that help to educate students/faculty about proper disposal.

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:
Through conservation biology courses they have been expanding the prairie plot and creating bioswales around campus to reduce runoff.

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:
Currently, students are looking into a biodiesel project that would involve the production of biodiesel on campus that would be utilized on campus. They collected data based on the fleet we have on campus as well as our food scrap program to fuel the project.

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:
Yes, students participate in weigh the waste events through the semester in which they utilize that data to understand consumer behavior in regards to food waste.

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:
Through the Facilities department under the direction of the Director of Sustainability water usage data is collected and managed to understand how we can reduce on campus. Our Director of Sustainability works on our water reduction strategies by monitoring trends, installing sub-metering on units where needed and ensuring the services provided are most cost-effective for the university.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Yes, currently we are working on a recycled cap project. This involves a lot of coordination among other students, faculty and external organizations to plan out in terms of sorting, collecting, logistics and fundraising. Sustainability Club students have collected over 3000 lbs and raised funds to obtain a recycled picnic table. This table symbolizes the efforts and demonstrates a way to re-purpose.
Through the Student Sustainability Club during the semester there is a lot of coordination among student organizations to plan events involved in increasing the opportunities for advancing sustainability on campus.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
There has been recent capstone projects that involve census data and research local communities in regards to accessibility, affording and inclusion. Understanding building data and zoning codes to understand the overall impact on our local communities.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Currently, we have a sustainability fund in plans that acts as a funding mechanism for high impact sustainability projects on campus. Students submit their proposals and administration initially vets the project to determine feasibility. Afterwards, finance and investment strategies are conducted.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
The occupational therapy department has conducted research to analysis people's working environment and how their work surface can impact their productivity.

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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