Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.25
Liaison Jacob Saffert
Submission Date Feb. 4, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Saint John's University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Jacob Saffert
Sustainability Fellow
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 ---
Grounds Yes
Purchasing ---
Transportation Yes
Waste ---
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability Yes
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:

Annual research opportunities exist in the area of paleoclimatology and dendrochronology. See link for more details: http://www.csbsju.edu/research-tree-rings


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:

Recent student research conducted through the senior environmental studies thesis project involved the topic of environmentally-friendly paints. Bird-safe building design has also been researched along with many other topics.


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:

Student research and initiative led to the construction of a winter greenhouse which is primarily heated with passive solar energy. For more information: http://www.csbsju.edu/documents/environmental studies/curriculum/395/johnson(0).pdf


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:
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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:

Recent student research conducted through the senior environmental studies thesis project involved alternatives to the traditional "American lawn" and other topics.


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:
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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:

Recent student research conducted through the senior environmental studies thesis project involved alternative transportation, bikeability, and many other topics.


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:
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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:

Recent student research conducted through the senior environmental studies thesis project involved water conservation on campus and other topics.


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:
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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:

Recent student research conducted through the senior environmental studies thesis project proposed the acceptance of EBT and SNAP at farmers markets to increase affordability and access to healthy food options.


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 Rooney Grant program provides funding for CSB/SJU students and staff to conduct research and similar projects related to public health. This grant has been awarded to fund research on the links between bikeability, public health, and the environment. For more information on this research: http://www.mncenter.org/Portals/0/3%20-%20issues/land%20use/Saffert%20Bikeability%20and%20Public%20Health%20Paper.pdf


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:
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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:

The SJU Office of Sustainability offers internships to students to help with event planning and other public engagement work.


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:

Recent student research conducted through the senior environmental studies thesis project involved eco-tourism and many other topics.


The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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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.