Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.92
Liaison Katie Beitz
Submission Date May 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Oklahoma State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Ilda Hershey
Sustainability Coordinator
OSU Physical Plant
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Air & Climate:
Over the summers of 2015 and 2016, 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.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Buildings:
Hisham Abuella, a Ph.D. student at ECE received a Green Student Initiative grant to fund a project that measures light intensity to estimate people's occupancy in a room, and automatically regulate the room's heating ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting to improve OSU sustainability and energy efficiency. Hisham is working with campus energy managers on the proper test conditions.

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Energy:
The Utilities engineering department hosted a vendor's technology demonstration session for civil engineering students to obtain hands-on field experience, while confirming the underground utilities on Hester Street, in preparation of upcoming winter construction project. Such demonstration sessions further the potential for the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology to explore future pilot training programs in the field of nondestructive testing and evaluation.

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Food & Dining:
OSU's Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center plays a vital role in educating and training undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources with hands-on, real-world experience to prepare them for career opportunities in the food industry. While working and conducting research at FAPC, approximately 70 students work with center faculty and staff, and sometimes representatives from food companies, which prepare them for working in the food industry, including prevention of foodborne pathogens or spoilage, and local food procurement.

Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Grounds:
As a part of a Green Student Initiative, students and Landscape Services personnel collaborated to plant an Oklahoma Native Plant Corridor that serves as an example of sustainable landscape and also a place for science students to find live specimens of native species.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Purchasing:
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Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Transportation:
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Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Waste:
In spring 2017, students replicated a 2013 OSU waste stream analysis with 6 campus buildings. They found the recycling rate, contamination rate, and compared these across campus. Then they proposed practical ideas for how to increase the recycling rate and decrease the amount (volume and weight) of trash that OSU sends to the landfill each year.

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Water:
Engineering and Pathology classes continue to 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.

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Coordination & Planning:
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Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Investment & Finance:
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Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Public Engagement:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Other Impact Areas 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to other areas (e.g. arts & culture or technology)?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to other areas:
Students from an advanced apparel design class created a sustainable collection, where their exhibition was showcased at the OSU Museum of Art. The artists "explored the ideals of feminine behavior and gendered roles" and used Native American culture to inspire their designs. All clothing items were made from recycled or reused materials. Website: https://statemagazine.okstate.edu/Rebirth_A_Fashion_Show

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://fm.okstate.edu/sites/default/files/u119/WasteAuditReport2017Final.pdf

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.