| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.60 |
| Liaison | Dayna Cook |
| Submission Date | May 1, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Northern Arizona University
AC-10: Support for Research
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Rod
Parnell Faculty: Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability |
Does the institution have a program to encourage student sustainability research that meets the criteria for this credit?:
A brief description of the institution’s program(s) to encourage student research in sustainability:
Both the Hooper Sustainability Award and the Greenfund offer funding opportunities for students to do sustainability research.
Hooper -
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects in the following areas:
• NAU campus sustainability
• local community-based sustainability projects
• environmentally sustainable business practices
• natural resources and ecosystem science/management
• environmental health in tribal and rural communities
Greenfund -
This funding can be applied towards any number of projects, ranging from reducing our carbon footprint, to using more renewable energy, to increasing recycling efforts on campus. As long as the project aims to improve the environment, the Green Fund can support it. (http://green.nau.edu/greenfund.html)
The website URL where information about the student research program is available:
Does the institution have a program to encourage faculty sustainability research that meets the criteria for this credit?:
A brief description of the institution’s program(s) to encourage faculty research in sustainability:
The Arizona Board of Regents gave formal approval to for the third set of five-year TRIF business plans. Northern Arizona University was approved for two initiatives that encourage faculty research in sustainability for Fiscal Years 2012-2016:
•Environmental and Economic Solutions for Arizona's Rural Landscapes -- $5.7 million over five years to encourage viable and vital rural communities. Focus will be to minimize catastrophic wildfire risks, rebuild a forest products economy, promote collaborative conservation planning and analysis using landscape-scale spatial data, and convene rural and tribal community stakeholders to explore economic alternatives, such as renewable energy development.
•Climate and Energy Solutions -- $4 million over five years to establish a new Sustainable Energy Solutions Institute, continue the nationallysignificant climate research capacity of the Merriam Powell Center, invest in productive and innovative faculty, and develop ground-breaking curricular programs.
The website URL where information about the faculty research program is available:
Has the institution formally adopted policies and procedures that give positive recognition to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research during faculty promotion and/or tenure decisions?:
A brief description or the text of the institution’s policy regarding interdisciplinary research:
Approved by Vote of the CEFNS Faculty January 28, 2009: 110 yes, 34 no, 14 abstain
I. Principles and Values
This document describes the process of annual faculty review and promotion and tenure consideration within the College of Engineering, Forestry & Natural Sciences (CEFNS);
acknowledging the diversity of our strengths and reflecting our individual, collegial and institutional values. In this context, the process of faculty reviews and evaluations within all CEFNS units shall include:
• clarity of expectations
• constructive, proactive evaluation and formative feedback
• objective appraisal by peers
• consistent and high standards.
The CEFNS values diversity in the ways an individual faculty member develops excellence in his or her academic career and contributes to the collective success of the department and college. In particular, the CEFNS encourages:
• an emphasis on students
• cross-disciplinary activities
• commitment to scholarship and professional involvement
• assessment for continuous improvement
• collegiality and professionalism
• service to the university and community.
See website for rest of document.
The website URL where information about the treatment of interdisciplinary research is available:
Does the institution provide ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning that meets the criteria for this credit?:
A brief description of the institution's library support for sustainability research and learning:
The library has been very responsive to requests for publications and electronic journals in sustainability and the environment. For example, it now subscribes to the GreenFile database. It has also established sustainability initiatives to reduce paper and energy usage.
The website URL where information about the institution's library support for sustainability 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.