| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.14 |
| Liaison | Casey Romero |
| Submission Date | Jan. 12, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Oklahoma State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Ilda
Hershey Sustainability Coordinator OSU Physical Plant |
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 | --- |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | --- |
| 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:
Over the last four summers, student interns worked within the residential life areas of campus. Their goals were to audit facilities to ensure that room temperatures were set back for maximum energy savings, document needed repairs to avoid energy waste, and work with facility staff to reduce overall energy consumption for those facilities. This contributed to associated reductions in OSU's carbon footprint from these sources.
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:
During the renovation of the Student Union, which is under consideration for LEED Silver designation, student interns from Architecture, Construction Management and Interior Design assisted with design strategies and contributed to product/material selections that led to the final, hugely successful, building.
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:
A graduate student in Hotel & Restaurant Administration completed a study to measure college students’ purchasing intention of local food by using brand personality dimensions and an extended model of the theory of planned behavior. The paper was presented at the 17th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism.
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:
Industrial Engineering class students analyzed internal processes used by the Energy Management Program and developed a series of recommendations and best practices that would allow for fewer missed energy savings opportunities. These practices contributed to OSU's system-wide energy savings of over $32M since 2007.
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:
Landscape Services collaborated with Natural Resource Ecology & Management capstone class students to examine water quality, water management, water detention, insect control, water fowl management, and vegetation management with respect to developing infrastructure around an existing pond on campus. The students’ findings were presented along with recommendations for environmental improvement, which will be implemented in the design and development of the area.
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:
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:
Research on the emissions of CNG compared to diesel fuel was performed and included in a thesis by a mechanical engineering graduate student. Research was focused on particulate matter based on micron size and results shared with faculty.
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:
A graduate student conducted a campus-wide waste stream analysis in collaboration with the Sustainability Office, Recycling Dept. and student volunteers. Results of the study have been used widely in the design and execution of campus recycling programs.
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:
Engineering and Pathology classes visit the water treatment plant every semester to learn firsthand how the facility produces potable water. The plant, originally built in 1944 as a teaching establishment that experimented with innovative technologies, also employees university students as laboratory technicians and operators.
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:
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:
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 Biggest User program, led by a student fitness graduate assistant in the Department of Wellness,is designed to help educate and motivate students to become fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It involves modules of behavior modification, nutrition and physical fitness.
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:
OSU Strategic Communications students worked with the Utilities and Marketing Depts. to develop and execute a wind energy education and promotion campaign during the first year that the campus started using wind power. This greatly increased awareness of OSU's use of wind energy among faculty, staff, students, fans and the surrounding community.
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:
Each semester, engineering students audit the power plant for their "Loss Prevention" class to identify what the plant does well and doesn't do well in terms of worker safety. Results are incorporated by the plant manager into safety training.
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.