Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 47.61
Liaison Karen Marin-Hines
Submission Date March 3, 2023

STARS v2.2

Texas Tech University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Jessica Bunyard
Analyst
BIMAR
"---" 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:
A group of students created presentational and instructional materials that can be used during Red Raider Orientation for incoming students to increase recycling on campus.

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:
"Texas Tech graduate students maintain and engage the Lubbock community with the Heart of Lubbock Community Garden. The local community garden in the heart of the Lubbock neighborhood provides free food to the neighborhood to encourage healthier eating in the community, green space, and environmental education.
https://ttu.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/heart-of-lubbock-community-garden"

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:
Texas Tech's Climate Center provides internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students on campus. Interns work with the Climate Center on outreach and internal coordination. Their outreach efforts promote sustainability and climate research to the Texas Tech community and the general public. https://www.facebook.com/TTUClimateCenter/photos/pcb.1833977130111031/1833976590111085

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 Student Government Association (SGA) created a resolution that shows student support for LEED Certified or LEED like buildings.

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:
Graduate Students in the Architecture department worked with the Office of Facilities to conduct building studies. In FY22, they analyzed IAQ, energy efficiency, thermal studies, and building occupant surveys in the Architecture and Human Science buildings. Students also conducted lighting surveys to determine savings that can be achieved by converting the current lights to LED. A group of students submitted a proposal to install a solar energy plant on campus to increase use of renewable energy sources.

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:
Students in the Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering department worked with Dr. Cliff Fedler to design and create a composter prototype. The composter is small scale and accepts food waste.

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:
Students participate in the study of pigeon populations on campus. Students conduct pigeon counts under the supervision of faculty.

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?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
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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:
A student in the Wind Energy department completed a class final report on recycling efforts on the Texas Tech campus. She met with staff in the Office of Sustainability and University Student Housing to gather information, additional resources and complete her report.

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:
The center promotes active collaborations and works closely with other departments and water-related entities on campus. In particular, close working relationships exist with TTU South Central Climate Science Center, CASNR Water Center, the Center for Communications Research, the Llano River Field Station, and The Institute of Environmental and Human Health. Graduate Students conduct research within the Water Resources Center. https://www.depts.ttu.edu/waterresources/student-profiles/index.php

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:
The Office of Sustainability is working with students in Student Government Association to create proclamations that support sustainability planning. The SGA Sustainability Committee has proposed student ideas and plans for transportation, procurement, recycling, and purchasing reusable materials when possible.

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?:
No

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