Overall Rating	Silver
Overall Score	55.03
Liaison	Sara McIntyre
Submission Date	Aug. 10, 2022

STARS v2.2

Sewanee - The University of the South
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	4.00 / 4.00	Amy Turner Director of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

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Campus Engagement

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:

-Sustain Leaders work diligently on "back-of-house" or institution-facing projects that, while not always sexy work, are decidedly moving the campus toward Carbon Neutrality by 2030. The program is designed to enhance students' involvement in climate action through diverse projects that address critical university and community needs, while simultaneously cultivating skillsets that will help them succeed in future careers and grow in leadership. Through their hands-on involvement, from start to finish, each project has the opportunity to positively, and continually, impact Sewanee for a more sustainable tomorrow.

-Environmental Residents are responsible for organizing peer-facing programs, experiences, or opportunities that embody climate action practices or activism. These students adopt climate action practices in their own lives, are committed to learning more about climate action, and serve as mentors, leaders, or activists to engage and spark action in their peers or on campus.
-Sewanee Bonner Leader program envisions a community of service, civic engagement, and social justice. Then make it real, one project at a time. Sewanee’s Bonner Leaders apply for a four-year Service Internship and Leadership Program as they are being admitted to the University. They will serve the greater Sewanee community, engage in meaningful, reflective discussions around the work, and work with a supportive group of like-minded peers, mentors, and community partners every step of the way.

Public Engagement

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:

-Sewanee Bonner Leader program envisions a community of service, civic engagement, and social justice. Then make it real, one project at a time. Sewanee’s Bonner Leaders apply for a four-year Service Internship and Leadership Program as they are being admitted to the University. They will serve the greater Sewanee community, engage in meaningful, reflective discussions around the work, and work with a supportive group of like-minded peers, mentors, and community partners every step of the way.
-Supported by the Canale Endowment, student interns pursue a year-long project that addresses a community-identified need. Canales work together with community members to positively impact our local area, while building a service-shaped community of peers on campus.

Air & Climate

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:

Sewanee’s position atop four HUC 12 watersheds offers unique opportunities for research and stewardship, and our aquatic systems provide valuable avenues to investigate climatic and anthropogenic effects at multiple scales. A thorough ecological understanding of these headwater systems is essential for informed management that benefits human and other biological communities of the region and those downstream, in addition to contributing valuable insights on global issues like climate change. The Sewanee Headwaters Initiative was developed to support projects that will assist local communities in better understanding our aquatic systems and to help secure a healthy future for all affected--because what happens here matters elsewhere.
https://new.sewanee.edu/offices/university-offices/environmental-stewardship-sustainability/headwaters-initiative/

Buildings

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:

The Green House, and Eco-minded theme house. From their website: "We are a collection of individuals dedicated to cultivating long-term relationships between natural and social environments. We work to promote ecological awareness on campus and further care for the earth through positive interactions between people and nature. "

Energy

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:

Babson Center for Global Commerce conducted a student lead feasibility study for EV charger and fleet conversion study to help inform the University's implementation of Climate Accountability Plan.

Food & Dining

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:

Numerous students and faculty are researching ways to increase the sustainability of our dining services through the University Farm as well as sourcing local produce on a continuous basis.

Daniel Carter and students have conducted research and work on agricultural policy, conducting research about the University farm.

Mark Preslar (Russian) is working with apple varieties at the University Farm.

Deb McGrath (Biology) has been leading student research on food systems and nutrition at the university farm.

Several Sustainability Fellows have conducted studies on food waste from dining services and are working towards post-consumer composting projects.

Caroline Thompson is continually expanding the University's access to local food sources and developing workshops to educate faculty, staff, and students on the importance of good food and local economy.

Grounds

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:

A Sustainability Fellow is working with Facility Management and Faculty to develop green infrastructure projects for stormwater that have a visual benefit for the grounds, while effectively mitigating stormwater issues on campus.

Multiple edible gardens have been installed on campus to help educate about food sources and community.

Sewanee's campus is a certified Tennessee State arboretum and is utilized in urban forestry courses.

Purchasing

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:

Student Sustain Leaders through the Sustain Sewanee program of the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability have a beta green office program in development that has been trialed in a number of offices.

Transportation

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:

A current student is working with the GIS department to develop a study of multimodal paths and time to popular destinations to help dispel the myth that driving is faster than other forms of transportation. Additional student projects include surveying the bicycle assets on campus to create an inventory to further a culture change.

Waste

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:

Sustainability student projects aimed at quantifying the types of waste streams and volume/mass of each, and creating education platforms & opportunities on campus to reduce consumption of food and waste.

Water

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:

Several professors are engaged in research and projects with students relating to hydrology as well as with the Sewanee Utility District to establish more sustainable methods of treating our water.

Some of these projects include:
Comparing urbanized vs. non-urbanized watersheds
Studying water quality (coliforms, pesticides, etc) on river systems in the surrounding area
Dating groundwater atop the Cumberland Plateau
Installing groundswells on campus to measure water flow and hydrologic response

http://sewaneewetlands.org/constructed-wetlands/

Coordination & Planning

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:

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Diversity & Affordability

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:

Students participate in the Task force for Diversity and are an integral part of the University's plan to implement Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.

Investment & Finance

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:

The University has a socially conscious investment club, as well as a traditional Investment club. Both work towards understanding investment via responsibility for investing a portion of the University's endowment and also manage an impact investment fund.
https://www.sewaneegvc.org/

Wellbeing & Work

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:

Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:

Sewanee Flourish is a project that promotes an infrastructure of mental wellness on campus. Initiated by the Wellness Center, this program offers resources to enhance student well-being, growth within the community, and a sense of belonging. https://new.sewanee.edu/features/wellness-commons/

Optional Fields

Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program 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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