Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.78
Liaison Jennifer McLaughlin
Submission Date Dec. 9, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

South Dakota State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Jennifer McLaughlin
Sustainability Intern
Facilities and Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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 Air & Climate:
FY 19 A student did a design report for his English 277 class on reducing air pollution at SDSU.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
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 Buildings:
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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:
FY17 As part of an introduction to planning course, a student assessed the economic benefits of switching outdoor lights to LED, the effects of light pollution, how to minimize light pollution. This was a theoretical assessment done for the outdoor lights located around the dorm area. FY19 A student in ME 498 analyzed wind velocities for SDSU/Brookings for turbine applications (wind roses) for his independent study research project.

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:
FY19 A student did a class project on how our campus can produce our own food and how campus food waste can then be used to enhance food growth for campus. Local Foods Education Center (LFEC) students have been involved in initial meetings with Aramark to sell LFEC food at campus c-stores. The students have done all the research necessary to design and brand LFEC all the way through the university system. They developed packaging needs and have produced nutritional cards for every food item LFEC grows. Another student is currently helping design "how-to" classes for canning, preserving, etc. Several grad students (from Health & Nutritional Sciences department) helped set up Jacks Cupboard (campus food pantry) as part of their masters program.

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:
FY19 A faculty member and grad students worked to produced native plants for the American Indian Student Center landscaping. A class aided in the design of the pollinator plant list for SDSU's Bee Campus USA certification.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
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 Purchasing:
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Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
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 Transportation:
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Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
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 Waste:
FY18 A student researched the feasibility and possibilities for a compost operation on campus. FY19 A student researched and proposed plans for initiating composting at SDSU. A student’s capstone project focused on two things: 1) the impact of single-use plastics on our world, and 2) the benefits and current rates of recycling. The student’s project involved a presentation, research, assisting with a single use plastic display, and collecting plastic bags for recycling. A group from a Small Communications class researched how to better promote recycling dos and don’ts for campus. Students in ADV 370 analyzed a survey about recycling and then created a recycling campaign. A student created composting promotion & education in the community.

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:
FY17 A class competed in the EPA Campus Rainworks Challenge. As part of this competition, students drafted a storm water master plan for 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?:
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 Diversity & Affordability:
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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?:
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 Wellbeing & Work:
FY17-FY19 The Counseling and Human Development Department has students who provide counseling to volunteer students across campus including college student-athletes. They also provide graduate assistants and internship students who provide support in the counseling center, residence halls, etc

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)?:
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 other areas:
FY18 A small group communications group helped plan and execute an Earth Hour celebration. FY19 Students in ADV 370 Advertising Principles created social media posts (Facebook) about the Jack’s Cupboard or Sustainability. A group from the Organizational Leadership and Team Development course, worked with the Sustainability Specialist on how to increase sustainability awareness on campus through specific projects.

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:
Some of these projects came to fruition. Others were strictly theoretical.

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.