Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 52.66
Liaison Grace Afflerbach
Submission Date March 8, 2024

STARS v2.2

Purchase College - State University of New York
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Grace Afflerbach
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:
"The effects of COVID on college events and engagement": In line with SDG 3 good health and wellbeing, this senior project researched the ways Purchase college had to adapt to virtual programming during the pandemic and analyzed the ways to make programming more successful.

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:
"Microplastic Contamination in the Intertidal Zone of Rye Beach" Rye Beach is 10 miles away from Purchase College. This senior project quantified the amount of microplastic pollution present at differing elevations at Rye Beach with the goal of identifying how to limit plastic use and production.

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:
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AVIAN NEST BOXES ON SUNY PURCHASE CAMPUS" Avian nest boxes were installed throughout campus to provide housing for birds that may have lost natural habitat due to biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. The boxes were monitored for the types of birds that utilized them.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
No

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

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
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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:
"Climate Friendly Foods" This senior project focused on the foods that yield the greatest negative environmental impact. They analyzed food served on campus for their report.

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:
"An Assessment of Woodlot Age Structure and Invasive Plant Risk on the SUNY Purchase College Campus" The forested area surrounding the college was assessed to determine invasive alien plant risk and which areas of the forest were most vulnerable to these invasive species.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
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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:
The Sustainability Advisory and Outreach Committee (which consists of employees and students) calculated the emissions reduced from employees and students telecommuting during lockdown and restricted openings caused by the pandemic.

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:
"Effect of Disposable E-cigarettes on Plant Growth" This project focused on how e-cigarettes that are improperly disposed negatively affect the environment and soil.

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:
"Spring Water Budget of the Purchase College Bioswale" There is a bioswale on campus that was developed to filter stormwater. This project analyzed the amount of runoff present in the bioswale to determine if its water levels were ecologically beneficial.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
"Assessment of current and projected stormwater runoff dynamics before major land use changes at SUNY Purchase College" This project analyzed the amount of stormwater runoff generated by impervious surfaces on campus. This project was conducted on land on campus that is currently being developed into an assisted living facility.

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:
Struggles Faced by First Generation Latinx Students at Purchase College: First generation Latinx students and employees were surveyed for this project and their personal college experiences were documented. This project included themes related to Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10: quality education and reduced inequalities.

Exploring the factors associated with resistance to gender-fair language: The data for this project was obtained by asking college community members to complete a fill in the blank task assigning female, male, or gender neutral labels to a series of first names. The results were then used to examine levels of inclusivity on campus and explore the possible factors affecting gender-fair language resistance. This project included aspects from SDGs 5 (gender equality) and 10 (reduced inequalities)

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?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
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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?:
No

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