| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.87 |
| Liaison | Jessica Bast |
| Submission Date | Jan. 5, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
North Carolina State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Tracy
Dixon Sustainability Director Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing the campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in the following areas?:
| Yes or No | |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | Yes |
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Air & Climate and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Graduate student interns assist with the collection and assimilation of data every 2 years for the campus Greenhouse Gas Inventory. In addition, these students also participate in authoring the final report.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In partnership with the Poole College of Management in 2014 and University Housing in 2015, a LEED Lab course was taught for which a campus building serves as the class project. Students performed all of the research needed for the LEED research and potential submittal and as a result were eligible to sit for the LEED AP exam after taking the course.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Dining Services/Food and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The campus operates an Agroecology Education Farm, which serves as a hands on educational experience where students help grow produce that is in turn served in campus dining facilities.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Energy and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A Food Science class focused on improving sustainability in Howling Cow’s creamery, which processes up to 400,000 gallons of milk each year. Three student teams researched the facility’s processes and chose to focus on enhancing efficiency of the case washer, which cleanses reusable plastic cases that transport milk.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Grounds and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Every year, the College of Design offers Design Build courses for which students complete an on campus landscape renovation project from start to finish including planning, site design and construction. To date the projects have all been performed in partnership with University Housing.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Purchasing and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Purchasing hires students to lead new sustainability initiatives within the Purchasing Department. Past examples include assisting with the creation of sustainable purchasing procedures and drafting sustainability categories to include in larger bids and procurement.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Transportation and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Transportation Office utilizes students in analyzing data that drives decision making as well as in marketing of alternative transportation.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Waste and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In Spring 2015, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Office, with the assistance of an Environmental Technology student, performed a waste characterization study to learn more about the opportunities for waste diversion on campus.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
NC State saves up to 5 million gallons of water per year thanks to a water recovery project designed by a student intern working at the university’s Cates Central Utility Plant.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Coordination, Planning & Governance and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In Fall 2014, a Change Management course worked with the Sustainability Office to focus its group project on compiling a history of sustainability at NC State and how to envision the future of campus sustainability.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Diversity & Affordability and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In partnership with the Women's Center, a student intern and staff member developed a workshop entitled 'Gender, Environment and Health' which is part of a program called Don't Cancel That Class.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Health, Wellbeing & Work and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The NC State Stewards, a student leadership organization focused on sustainability, created five virtual plant walks on campus to encourage both wellness and education about campus plants and trees.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Investment and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Public Engagement and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A Poole College of Management graduate course performed an advanced audit of the campus Sustainability Annual Report. The project included fact checking of campus sustainability metrics and also made suggestions about how the report could best display information and engage readers.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory in Other areas and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
NC State students began contributing a sustainability fee of $1.50 per semester in fall 2013 following a student-led campaign that included pledges of support from more than 2,000 students and letters of support from faculty, staff and other campuses with sustainability fees. The fee generates up to $120,000 per year (minus reserve) for the Sustainability Fund, which awards grants for campus sustainability projects that impact students. A student-led board manages the fund, which offers competitive grants for sustainability-related projects, education and resources that enhance campus and student learning.
The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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.