Louisiana State University
ER-18: Sustainability Research Incentives

The Louisiana Sea Grant College program, based at Louisiana State University's Baton Rouge campus is part of the National Sea Grant Program, a network of 32 university-based programs located in each of the coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico. Sea Grant programs work individually and in partnership to address major marine and coastal challenges. The goal of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is to increase the number of undergraduates pursuing marine science careers by encouraging and supporting specific undergraduate research activities. Students propose, carry out, and report results of a research project related to an existing project funded by Sea Grant. UROP, begun in 1992, has funded undergraduate research for more than 50 students at Louisiana State University. The purpose of the College of Agriculture Undergraduate Research program is to encourage research by students as a part of their education. Students partner with a faculty member to conduct research in their area of interest. A majority choose sustainability-related topics. Several courses require students to take on research and/or implementation projects specifically focused on sustainability. In the last 3 years, they have included Civil Engineering Senior Design Course, Mechanical Engineering captone course (installation of solar pump irrigation system funded by Facility Services), Computer Science (LSU energy consumption dashboard), Marketing (30 second sustainability commercials), Graphic Design (LSU Sustainability brand). LSU also offers a Campus Sustainability class at a 4000 level through Horticulture. Campus Sustainability (HORT 4012) is a projects based class where students develop projects and proposals in a group setting to work towards developing a sustainable LSU campus. The community partner for the class is the LSU Sustainability Manager. The goal of the service-learning course is for undergraduates and graduate students to explore the possibilities and challenges of greening the LSU campus.