| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.70 |
| Liaison | Kayla Tillapaugh |
| Submission Date | April 27, 2023 |
Selkirk College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Laura
Nessman Sustainability Coordinator Campus Management |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
The student Environment Club hosted a 'Kootenay Stay-cation Festival', celebrating local tourism, showcasing that students and their families do not need to travel far to experience relaxing and adventurous destinations. The organizers highlighted the impact of international vacation travel on greenhouse gas emissions. They engaged the campus community in conversations surrounding their carbon footprint.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
In 2022/2023, a third year Bachelor of Geographic Information Systems student took on a remote sensing project to produce 3D thermal imagery of the Castlegar Campus. The data collected will be valuable to local buidling features with the largest remediable source of heat loss.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
A campus tour within the Sustainability Course puts a strong emphasis assessing the energy efficiency of campus buildings. Engineering classes utilize Selkirk's ground mount solar installation in class labs.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
In 2013, Selkirk College became the first community college and fourth post-secondary institution, in Canada to achieve a Fair Trade Campus designation from the Canadian Fair Trade Network. All coffee served on campus is Fair Trade, and many Fair Trade tea and chocolate options are available. Fair Trade signage can be found around all campuses to provide access to information about the initiative, and a minimum of two outreach events are held annually. A work study student is employed annually to assist in Fair Trade related tasks, and the Environment Club students work to promote these products. An Intro to Fair Trade lecture is given each year to a Peace and Justice Studies class. The Culinary program also raise awarness of Fair Trade options.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
In 2020, students participated in the event 'PickFest', where apples in the historic orchard on campus were picked and juiced in partnership with a local non-project organization. The juice was then sold as a fundraiser for Environment Club events.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Selkirk runs a Bike to College Week in September and in April. Students and employees reduce their ecological footprints by riding a bike instead of driving a vehicle, and they have the opportunity to learn about bicycle maintenance. Some years, representatives from local bike shops come to the campus during this week to share their knowledge, and in other years, maintenance manuals are offered to participants.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Since 2011, students and employees at the Castlegar campus have been composting their organic waste in an onsite "Earth Tub" composting unit. The food waste is collected in bins placed around campus and in the cafeteria, from the student residence, and from students and employees who bring their organic waste from home. The compost stores carbon which helps to offset some of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the college and the volume of waste taken to the landfill has been reduced. In addition, the compost facility provides two students each year with a work-study position in which they are responsible for ensuring the system runs effectively. Mixing the contents, monitoring moisture levels and temperature, and recording input weights are some of the responsibilities of the students.
In Spring 2022, Selkirk's culinary program began using a commercial level FoodCycler unit to handle food waste. The unit grinds and dehydrates food waste, reducing its volume by up to 90%. This significantly reduces the impact on landfills.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Students within the School of Environment and Geomatics partnered with Living Lakes Canada to participate in groundwater labs as part of their hydrology course. The labs allowed students to apply concepts learned in class to a real-world setting.
Read more here: https://livinglakescanada.ca/2023/01/09/college-students-do-a-deep-dive-into-groundwater-monitoring/
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
International students organize and host an annual Intercultural Fair on Castlegar campus, and Global Fest on Tenth Street campus. The days are educational events that provided the whole college community with an opportunity to learn about and share a wide range of cultures that are present on our campuses. Historical and contemporary customs are showcased, delicacies are prepared and sampled, and written languages were displayed.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Each year, nursing students offer a weekly clinic on sexual health and wellbeing on campus. They offer discreet counseling and access to birth control, pap smears and STI testing.
In Spring 2022, an Rural PreMedicine student conducted a survey of Selkirk College students assess how climate change is impact their mental health. Findings showed the need to recognize ecological grief as an important piece in overall mental health and has advanced these conversations campus-wide.
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.