The American College of Greece
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

ART
Within the Francis Rich School of performing arts several student installation art projects are routinely taking place utilizing the infra-structure of the buildings and relating artistic meaning to the campus. In addition the artworks on display ( both internal and externally) form part of the syllabus within the FR School of fine and performing Arts.

Using an interdisciplinary approach (that combines history with sociology and communication) and a variety of different texts (theoretical, oral, visual), the course HHU2211 aims to sensitize students to the functions and significance of orality as a means of articulating as well as shaping history and social experience, both private and public. Major emphasis is placed on experiential learning of the subject, as much of the course will involve on-site instruction and service work. Students will work under the guidance of the instructor on specified subjects that will vary from semester to semester.

A meteorological station operates within the facilities of ACG. The Aghia Paraskevi weather station is part of the National Observatory of Athens network and is operated by the department of Science and mathematics through its Environmental Studies Program. Data is public and forms the background for local climate measurements by students and faculty for their projects and academic learning.

Within the context of several courses within the Environmental Studies major air quality is also measured around campus for GhG and various other substances. Also, students have access to the real-time data provided by the Airly sensor/platform, installed on-premises, and measures outdoor air quality on campus.

ES students in the context of their course on Energy consumption visit the ACG offices and conduct energy audits. They interview employees relating to energy efficiency practices. They performed measurements with the institutions' equipment. Results are included in their report but they are also shared with the Center of Excellence for Sustainability.

Students in the context of their academic curriculum projects and research have access to ACG's energy consumption data provided by the Technical Services with the support of the Center of Excellence for Sustainability. Also, with the guidance of professors and based on the course's requirements students conduct projects that address issues related to the institution and provide solutions when necessary. The Office of Public Affairs through the Center of Excellence for Sustainability, submit recommendations to the related departments.

The ACG Health & Wellness Center organizes wellness campaigns in the form of week-long events. Some of the topics that are addressed are the following:spirituality, healthy food choices, responsible alcohol consumption, and eating disorders. On campus workshops, displays and cooking demonstrations are offered on a regular basis throughout the year.
Additionally, private consultations on diet and exercise are systematically offered to students, faculty and staff

Green Roof research is conducted by faculty and students within the Environmental Studies major.
Below you can find the abstract of a Capstone project by an ES student:
Contribution to the Plant Biodiversity of Mountain Hymettus:
Woody Plant Communities at the American College of Greece
Course in which the work has been produced:
ES 4430 L6 Environmental Studies Capstone
Short Description of Student Work (Abstract):
This paper aims to contribute to the study of the plant biodiversity of mount Hymettus and to record for the first time the woody vegetation (shrubs and trees) at the American College of Greece. The study provides baseline data for future environmental monitoring projects that will allow the College to follow changes in the plant community (ecological succession) and to also assess how its activities affect the campus ecosystem. As a result of this study, 23 species of woody plants were identified, belonging to 15 different families. The campus forest is a typical example of Mediterranean maquis shrubland. Dominant plants include phrygana such as cistus, big shrubs such as kerm oak, and trees such as alepo pines. The findings indicate possible human intervention in particular locations.
The work was orally presented at the Deree Student Symposium 2019, June 6, 2019. See program at https://www.acg.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SYMPOSIUM_Program_2019.pdf
And at the 16th Conference organized by the Hellenic Botanical Society

“Supply Chain Management” MBA course, where students worked on real sustainability concepts that had to do with on-site research of the Downtown campus.

Students in the context of the professional communication course evaluate the college's operations and the options that offers to its members and they prepare a report on how to improve its offerings and provide programs that promote sustainable modes of transportation administered by the institution like carpooling.

An environmental audit on waste was held to document the present generation of waste, including main waste streams, and recycling practices at the Aghia Paraskevi campus of the American College of Greece (ACG) in order to develop a baseline against which the College environmental performance can be compared.

The audit also aimed to identify opportunities for improvements. It relies on the data that the students of the Environmental Science Honors Seminar “Greening the Campus: Water and Waste” collected and analyzed in spring 2012, the first of a series of such courses to be offered annually, and some additional information that was collected after the completion of the course (in summer 2012). - See more at: http://www.acg.edu/about-acg/sustainability-at-acg/acg-sustainable-practices#sthash.lk0eP3Qw.dpuf

The Waste Audit which was conducted in spring 2012, aimed to document the present water consumption and quality at the American College of Greece (ACG) campus, in order to develop a baseline against which the College environmental performance can be compared, and also to identify opportunities for improvements. Emphasis however was put on water consumption.

The report relies on the data that the students of the Environmental Studies Honors Seminar “Greening the Campus: Water and Waste collected and analyzed in spring 2012, the first of a series of such courses to be offered annually, and some additional information / measurements that were collected after the completion of the course (in summer 2012).
- See more at: http://www.acg.edu/about-acg/sustainability-at-acg/acg-sustainable-practices#sthash.lk0eP3Qw.dpuf

The Office of Public Affairs through the Center of Excellence for Sustainability in collaboration with the ACG Sustainability Manager offers input and training to students that have a sustainability-orientation on how an office should run following sustainable best practices in regards to coordination and planning. Our office has participated in many students' projects respectively.
Additionally, students that are employed to our office through the work-study program get to experience first -hand how offices on-campus following sustainability-related standards.

Students from disciplines like Sociology and Psychology including those of the Professional Communication course undertake class projects on issues that focus on diversity and affordability by working on ACG's community partnerships and community contribution initiatives launched and organized by the Center of Excellence for Sustainability

Infectious Disease gamification, modelling and public health assessments are carried out routinely by students within the International Honors Program and more specifically the HSE 2210 Course on Infectious Disease in Society. This particular course uses experiential learning techniques in order to relate the burden of infectious disease within the campus