| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.07 |
| Liaison | Jonathan Miller |
| Submission Date | Oct. 27, 2022 |
Nova Southeastern University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.60 / 4.00 |
Tatum
Hedrick Student Sustainability Coordinator Physical Plant |
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:
Nova Southeastern University utilizes a variety of recurring student groups and projects to advance campus engagement within the University community. Student organizations such as the Green Sharks Student Sustainability Club, Nature Club, Marine Biology Club, Bee Club, and Epsilon Eta professional Fraternity all rely on a partnership with the Office of Facilities Management for a variety of environmental projects and campaigns such as improving the recycling program, implementing environmentally-friendly grounds practices, and more.
Secondarily, the Presidential Scholarship recipients each sit on a campus involvement or improvement committee. In 2020, the Transformational Leadership and Campus Impact Committee was created. This group of students conducts surveys and creates plans to analyze the effectiveness of environmental campaigns on campus. The 2021 project includes a review of the effectiveness of the reusable plate program at the dining center.
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:
Nova Southeastern University holds an Arbor Day event every year that is open to the public, outside of the public library on campus. Here, student organizations engage with the public of Broward County on many sustainability goals, as well as hosting a tree planting.
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:
In order to assess, monitor, and restore coral reefs through research and education, the National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) was established by Congressional mandate in 1998. NCRI operates at the Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Researchers at NCRI are exploring scientifically sound approaches to understand, assess, monitor, restore and mitigate injured coral reefs. Students from the undergraduate to doctorate level have opportunities to participate in the coral research and associated climate change research.
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:
At Nova Southeastern University, the Student Sustainability Coordinators and a variety of student organizations and committees utilize information about the buildings in a variety of sustainability initiatives. Currently, students are learning about LEED building and building operation and maintenance.
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:
Nova Southeastern University has the Lafferty Energy Plant, a unique example of efficient energy storage, located on its main campus. Students and staff are invited to tour the facility and learn about the program throughout the year as requested.
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 grounds at the main Nova Southeastern University campus feature multiple experimental and teaching gardens including a pharmaceutical garden, Florida native plant garden, and pollinator and agricultural garden. Each of these gardens is managed by a joint effort of its respective college and/or program and the grounds crew. Students in each of the programs have access to educational opportunities with each of the gradens.
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:
The Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Campus is home to a variety of water education opportunities and stewardship programs. Both Undergraduate and Graduate programs utilize the campus located in the Dr. von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park to learn about mangroves, corals, invertebrate zoology, chemistry, geology, and a variety of applications to the marine sciences. These educational opportunities are further supported by the University's involvement with the Broward County Sea Turtle Program, the Marine Environmental Education Center, the National Coral Reef Institute, the Florida Climate Institute, and more.
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:
Nova Southeastern University employs multiple Student Sustainability Coordinators who work with various departments and student organizations in the coordination and planning of many sustainability projects, such as Arbor Day, grounds management, recent investment into a community garden, and collaboration between groups for cleanups.
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:
Students at NSU have the opportunity to apply for and obtain a position in our sustainability office to learn about how to make large-scale human organizations and facilities more sustainable.
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.