| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 38.48 |
| Liaison | Jesse Carswell |
| Submission Date | June 27, 2023 |
Southern New Hampshire University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.20 / 4.00 |
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:
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:
Students were given the opportunity to work with the community in a project to design and build sustainable outdoor classrooms, with the idea to enrich student learning and an appreciation and understanding of nature and the environment that cannot be obtained in traditional classrooms.
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:
The Arboretum at SNHU was developed in 2014. The 200-acre outdoor classroom has provided over 2,000 hours of STEM-centric learning experience. The Arboretum invites middle school students, state foresters, and anyone in between to visit the space. Visitors and students get a chance to see and understand various types of wetlands, forested environments, and other ecosystems.
SNHU was awarded the Level 1 accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Program as well as the Morton Arboretum. Also, the Arboretum received a $5,000 gift from TD Charitable Foundation as well as a $9,000 grant from the Davis Conservation Foundation to help make the outdoor learning space more valuable to SNHU and its community.
SNHU mission is to "have the arboretum become a space that is recognized and treasured for creating innovative academic experiences, fostering community wellbeing and generating passionate and engaged leaders."
Students installed a network of climate-sensing data loggers in the Arboretum; resultant data is databased and used in climate-related research. Additionally, students annually perform monitoring in plots to calculate carbon storage potential. A live weather monitoring station which is currently installed on the roof of WLLC is being relocated at some point within the next academic year (FY2019) to the Arboretum space to allow real-time monitoring for climate and air study purposes within the forest on campus.
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:
Students were engaged in a STEM-design competition to design a sustainable new dormitory, with recommendations for sustainable strategies including a green roof and gray water recycling. Students needed to create an idea that would pose as a solution to campus sustainability challenges including the energy consumption of a building with this project.
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:
Students in Global Climate Change focus their project work on energy-related issues at SNHU. In fall 2022, students assisted with the creation and marketing of a university temperature policy, designed to optimize energy use. In fall 2023, students are leading a project to explore the potential for geothermal well installation in the footprint of several decommissioned buildings.
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:
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:
The SNHU grounds team has a long history of collaboration with students in service of sustainability and biodiversity outcomes. Recent projects include a class collaboration with Manchester public schools on the planting of bulbs at the Wolak Library wildflower garden, and the creation of a pollinator garden by an Organizational Leadership class. Students in Environmental Issues have also assisted the grounds team with surveys of irrigation equipment to enhance efficiency.
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:
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:
Weekly student-led Campus Clean-Up events at various locations around campus. These events are held each week to educate participants about the importance of proper waste diversion practices and creating less waste. We evaluate the types of litter around campus to determine our biggest contributor either single-use plastic, cigarettes, or other waste.
Move-out events are also great opportunities for students to learn more about waste diversion and management, and how to minimize what goes to a landfill.
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 have installed two EPA funded rain gardens around the campus commons which are used for water education. Additionally, water quality metrics (including temperature, stage, and chemistry) are measured and monitored by students both within the wetlands of the Arboretum and Messer Brook, the Merrimack River tributary that flows through the northern end of campus.
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:
Students were given the opportunity to work with the community in a project to design and build sustainable outdoor classrooms, with the idea to enrich student learning and an appreciation and understanding of nature and the environment that cannot be obtained in traditional classrooms.
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:
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:
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.