Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 41.59
Liaison Adam Maurer
Submission Date Dec. 18, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Seattle Central College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Adam Maurer
District Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
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Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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 Air & Climate:
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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:
As part of Integrated Assignments, which showcase one assignment across various courses, one student group proposed garden beds on unused balconies. The students created a poster and presented it at the poster presentation for Integrated Studies.

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:
As part of SBST 325, five students over three quarters (fall 2015, winter 2016, and spring 2016) completed internships with Seattle Central (South Seattle College is part of the Seattle Colleges district. Seattle Central is also in that district). The students helped prepare documentation for an energy metering and management system, ICONICS. The students completed a total of 750 hours.

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:
As part of Integrated Assignments, which showcase one assignment across various courses, one student group assessed the food available at the cafeteria on the main campus. They proposed more affordable, nutritous lunch alternatives.The students created a poster and presented it at the poster presentation for Integrated Studies.

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:
From seed to maturity, Seattle Culinary Academy students learn all about edible gardening in our new Plant Science Lab (PSL)/green house. Focus is on herb identification and the delicious contribution each makes to the recipes prepared in our kitchens back at the SCA. Seattle Culinary Academy also works collaboratively with the Science and Math department to plant and utilize heritage seeds from Seed Savers Exchange, a nationally recognized organization of people who are committed to "collecting, conserving and sharing heirloom seeds and plants, while educating people about the value of genetic and cultural diversity."

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
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 Purchasing:
Several Seattle Culinary Academy courses require students to create local and seasonally available menus for which the students have to source the ingredients. This proves their menu can be created with ethically and environmentally conscious ingredients.

Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
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 Transportation:
Students are involved in the district transportation committee where they are pushing for discounted ORCA transit cards by writing and conducting surveys to campus students.

Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
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 Waste:
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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:
As part of Integrated Assignments, which showcase one assignment across various courses, one student group proposed water bottle refill stations across the main campus. The student proposal was successful and facilities soon thereafter installed many water bottle refill stations on main campus.

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?:
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 Diversity & Affordability:
Food security is an affordability problem some Seattle Central students face, making attending college difficult. As part of Integrated Assignments, which showcase one assignment across various courses, one student group proposed a campus food pantry for students (also available to faculty and staff). The student proposal successfully gained the support of one enthusiastic staff member who took the proposal and created a food pantry on campus, making attending campus a little more affordable.

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)?:
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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:
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Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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