Overall Rating	Silver - expired
Overall Score	45.51
Liaison	Dan DeZarn
Submission Date	Nov. 25, 2019
Executive Letter	Download

STARS v2.1

State University of New York at Geneseo
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	4.00 / 4.00	Dan Dezarn Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability

"---" 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:

1. Office of Sustainability interns and research assistants 2. Student research and field trips in Geology 3. Student work and research in the eGarden 4. Student work and research in the Arboretum addressing ecosystem processes

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:

Composting program, eGarden projects, etc

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:

1. We have an eGarden and many students are/have been involved in research, design, operation…: wind turbine, green golf cart, solar panels (https://www.geneseo.edu/image/suny-geneseo-egarden ) 2. Student interns in the Office of Sustainability working on a variety of projects 3. Resident Assistants taking INTD 240 (Student Development) must develop projects to meet learning outcomes “Understand social and civic responsibility” and “Develop behaviors consistent with a healthy lifestyle” which often include programs in energy conservation (electricity usage contests) and recycling

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:

Classes on cooking and nutrition provided by Dining Service One on one consultations on veganism and vegetarians Forums and group meetings on the availability of vegan foods PETA Reports → A+ rating Focus on local foods - Local to rochester and US products, which translates to 100 miles from campus, NY State - 25% local food, furniture, and architecture, marketing Vegan Dinner Series Living Learning Communities - EcoHouse Fair Trade coffee - Local, bird friendly eGarden → garlic grown is used in the dining halls Earth Day Sustainability Dinner New York Street Food Fair Larvi from flies project Students from Innovation focus on Sustainability

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:

1. Students are involved in mapping of plants for sustainability projects and interpretive plans 2. Students are mapping and measuring trees on campus and developing guidelines for their care and future plantings in an effort to become a designated Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. 3. Students are involved in research and maintenance of the Roemer Arboretum a. Several students are engaged in directed studies involving the impacts of invasive shrubs in the campus’ Spencer J. Roemer Arboretum. b. Students have participated in planting native shrubs and wildflowers in the Spencer J. Roemer Arboretum and removing invasive species. 4. A student project involved mapping the slope landscape of campus which provided recommendations for reducing energy costs involved in mowing steep slopes

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:

The college is engaging in dialogue with students from the Fair Trade Club and other clubs focused on sustainable practices about the opportunities and obstacles involved in committing to values based purchasing.

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:

1. Biochemistry students are currently performing a large research project converting algae to biodiesel, a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuel. This groundbreaking research in turn can potentially deplete fossil fuel action. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12ya8dHwL_A&feature=youtu.be) 2. The college has a number of electric cars that are used for internal campus use, including the Gem Car that is used for intracampus use, including composting. The charging station is currently residing in the eGarden. 3. The town of Geneseo does have an an electronic charging station as well. 4. RTS Livingston bus is provided to students. Although they do utilize gas, the organization and school both claim that utilizing the bus is sustainable because it promotes carpooling, reducing the need for cars on campus. Students and faculty can ride for free (claims to be in accordance with SDG 13) https://www.geneseo.edu/news/sustainability-efforts-reduce-number-cars-campus 5. GREAT Day Research: Report on Sustainable and Social Equitable Public Transportation in China (in accordance to the UN’s sustainable development goals 9 & 18)

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:

Composting Initiative: SUNY Geneseo now composts in all residence halls and most academic buildings. Twice a week, Office of Sustainability interns collect compost from these buildings and dispose in the school’s compost pile accordingly. This project involves cooperation between interns, Sustainability coordinators within the Residence Halls, the Office of Sustainability, facilities, and faculty sponsors. Students can take a composting workshop to become trained in composting at an individual level. Students who live on or off campus can then compost themselves. Two campus dining halls compost as well. People who work in dining services within these halls get trained in composting. Every academic and residence building also has paper and plastic recycling. The College Union has battery and electronic recycling.

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:

1. A biology professor (Bosch) conducts research with students in nearby Conesus Lake, as well as coral bleaching in the Bahamas? Students did research presentations at GREAT Day from Bahamas projects and projects on local lakes 2. Geology professor has incorporated a service learning component in her Groundwater Hydrology course to detect presence of microbeads in local streams (just started this year?)

Coordination & Planning

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

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 Coordination & Planning:

1. Students may hold positions in the student associations and thus are involved in the College Senate 2. JADE program offers workshops in “Building and Sustaining Organizations,” “Community Resource Mapping” 3. Student Life Sustainability Programing Intern 4. Office of Sustainability Interns

Diversity & Affordability

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

None available

Investment & Finance

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

Yes

1. School of Business program in investment – students buy and sell stocks

Public Engagement

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

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 Public Engagement:

1. Jade program offers workshops including “Building and Sustaining Organizations,” “Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers,” “Social Change Model of Leadership” 2. Community Advocates Ambassadorship in Community Engagement awarded for project “Creating Common Ground: Cooperative Living of Geneseo” 3. PLSC 390: required Community Engagement Project for Global Environmental Politics 4. Service Student Organizations: FORCES, GEO, Nature Walk, Fair Trade 5. Office of Sustainability Interns 6. Dr. Jennifer Apple’s Arboretum 7. Student Life Internships

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:

1. EcoHouse – residential living group which brings together students with common interests in the environment, sustainability, and social justice and sponsors activities related to these topics 2. Jade program offers workshops including “Your Happiness and the Environment”, “Developing a Personal Sustainability Plan,” “Happiness, Materialism and Intentional Living” 3. Residential Advisors for Wellness 4. AOD Advocates - events about the proper disposal of expired medications to prevent water contamination and public safety

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:

1. School of business students as interns in College Advancement and Career Development

Optional Fields

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:

http://gold.geneseo.edu/index.php?pg=jade

Additional documentation to support the submission:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Jennifer Apple Sheila Barabino - Meg Reitz, Heather Carrera, GOLD website Lily Pedersen

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