| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Brian Eisenhauer |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Plymouth State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Brian
Eisenhauer Director Office of Environmental 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 | --- |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | --- |
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:
Classes have analyzed data for thermostat systems at our EcoHouse and using the results to guide our implementation of a larger system in the student apartments on campus.
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:
We have a sustainable structures course that teaches about natural building and sustainability in construction by building/modifying structures on campus. This spring's project is the design and construction of a new porch on our EcoHouse student residence.
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:
An herb garden has been started on campus in the dining hall, and multiple classes have been / are working on establishing a greenhouse and permaculture garden on campus. We have a permaculture garden in multiple locations on campus.
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:
Students analyze residence hall energy consumption in environmental classes, the data was presented to our energy manager to help guide decision making.
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:
We have permaculture installations in multiple locations on campus, all are student designed and installed.
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:
-
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:
Environmental Science and Policy senior seminars have analyzed our waste stream and make recycling recommendations that were enacted, other classes use this data every year and the results are taken seriously.
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:
Several of our majors emphasize hydrology, and use campus to learn skills such as the tracking of nutrient loads. This data has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of our stormwater BMPs.
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:
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:
We regularly involve community groups and partners in our sustainability efforts, which exposes students to new fields, improves our results, and supports our 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:
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.