| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.87 |
| Liaison | Rania Assariotaki |
| Submission Date | Feb. 21, 2023 |
The American College of Greece
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Ourania
Assariotaki Sustainability Manager Office of Public Affairs |
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
HNS 2285 LE Greening the Campus
An introduction to sustainability and the science of selected environmental
issues. This will be a field study course focusing on selected environmental
aspects of campus life. Through field work, the students will not only gain
practical knowledge of sustainability but also strengthen the campus culture
in support of environmental issues.
The course will focus on selected environmental topics / aspects and will
connect / be coordinated with ongoing sustainability activities on campus.
RATIONALE: The operation of a university has clear environmental impacts and in this
way, it is a living laboratory for environmental science work. This course
aims to provide students the opportunity to learn about environmental issues
and improve their relation with nature and the environment, while promoting
sustainability through actual field work in their own college community. In
this process, students will understand basic concepts of environmental
science, get a sense of the interdisciplinary / integrated nature of
sustainability, as well as acquire a hands-on understanding of scientific
methods through experiential learning.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of environmental
concepts, terms, and principles, as well as of the multiple
dimensions of sustainability;
2. Apply scientific tools to field-based research;
3. Engage in multi and interdisciplinary approaches to environmental
problems, and demonstrate ability to integrate different bodies of
knowledge;
4. Apply environmental principles and theories to an analysis of
selected environmental problems and engage in problem-solving
that benefits the ACG community;
5. Demonstrate awareness of the ethical dimensions of sustainability
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 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.
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:
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
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 students of the ES program and the Greening the campus course work on projects that include the use of College's grounds. During these courses graduates can practice on campus grounds what they have learned in class. Through capstone projects provide solutions to specific operational issues that could further promote sustainability practices on campus.
ACG Community Garden
The ACG Community Garden powered by the Office of Public Affairs is available to the students in order to work on certain in-course projects or in the context of engagement activities.
At the moment, we have two study abroad students that work on the garden following sustainable landscape management practices.
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:
“Supply Chain Management” MBA course, where students worked on real sustainability concepts that had to do with on-site research of the Downtown campus.
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:
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.
IT students are working on the design of a carpooling platform to be used by ACG members in the context of the college's efforts on sustainable 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:
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.
In the context of our efforts to minimize waste Deree IT students designed the Reuse@ACG Exchange Platform.
https://www.acg.edu/about-acg/sustainability-at-acg/community-engagement/
ACG Plastic Footprint Survey
In Spring 2020, a Deree Environmental Studies student and Sustainability Leader, created the first online survey to measure the ACG community’s plastic footprint in the context of the #ACGGoesPlasticFree Campaign and the course Sustainable Use of Resources and Waste Management.
https://www.acg.edu/about-acg/sustainability-at-acg/campaigns/acggoesplasticfree/
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:
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
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:
The Office of Public Affairs through the ACG Senior 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.
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:
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
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:
Student-Run Endowment (SRE)**
The Student-Run Endowment (SRE) was made possible by a generous endowment gift in the summer of
2019 from ACG Trustees, along with the support of the ACG/AUG Board of Trustees for the purpose of
establishing a new student strategic in-vestment fund in order to enhance student learning by providing
ACG students with a real-world opportunity to invest and manage a fund of significant magnitude.
Management of the Student-Run Endowment continues to give students of Investment Analysis and
Management courses invaluable experience of portfolio management in practice. This year the students’
portfolio comprised sixteen stocks selected via fundamental analysis. The portfolio was purchased on
November 3, 2021 and the amount invested amounted to $87,500, approximately 50% of the SRE. As at
December 31, the portfolio return on the invested amount was 2.78%, outperforming the S&P500 index
return over the same period by 0.51%. By January 4, 2022, the total value of the SRE exceeded the
milestone of $180,000.
The 2021 Team continues to monitor the portfolio in the first months of 2022 as the total value of the SRE
proves to be quite resilient considering the slash in the S&P500 following the turmoil in energy markets.
The students look forward to delivering a presentation on their experience in the Athens meeting of the
ACG Board of Trustees in June 2022.
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:
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
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:
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