| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.50 |
| Liaison | Chris Bond |
| Submission Date | Nov. 27, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Unity Environmental University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Jonathan
Gibbons Sustainability Engagement and Data Coordinator Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Air & Climate
No
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:
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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:
In 2016, students investigated the feasibility for multiple "tiny homes" on campus to use as residence halls in an effort to reduce materials used and energy use.
In Fall 2016, students looked at ways to better use potential retail space at the college owned McKay Farm & Research Station. The students research was passed along to the farm manager and more community based vendors have been utilizing the space.
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:
In Spring 2017, a group of students in an Environmental Scenarios and Solutions evaluated the feasibility and price of switching oil boilers to wood pellet boilers in one of our older residence halls.
In Spring 2017 students in ESS looked at the energy use of common area refrigerators in our residence halls and whether students used them and they were worth the cost of the energy they draw each year.
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:
In Spring 2017, two different groups from Environmental Scenarios and Solutions looked at local and sustainable food options on campus. One group investigated if it was feasible for the college to produce our own chickens at a competitive price. The other group investigated whether students would be open to eating rabbit meat and where the college could source it from, which could be sourced locally and has a lower impact than beef or pork.
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:
In Spring 2017, a student group in Environmental Scenarios and Solutions evaluated different sites on campus that could benefit from rain gardens. They recommended plants that could both benefit the rain garden design and were also pollinator friendly and would increase on campus biodiversity.
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:
In Fall 2016, a student group created a sustainable dining policy draft. This document was one of many that influenced the subsequent writing of a full sustainable dining policy that is currently waiting for final senior staff approval.
In Spring 2017, a student group in Environmental Scenarios and Solutions evaluated if on-campus chicken production would be economically feasible and be able to be purchased by our dining services. While purchasing on chicken on campus was the hopeful end result, the group found that it would not be feasible as local chicken sellers can offer it at a better price than we could by raising them on campus.
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:
in Spring 2017, a student group looked at two different transportation issues on campus. They first investigated expanding the trail system to town to go to a few more locations and make town more accessible to those who don't own cars. They also investigated various ways to make sure that the appropriate sized college owned vehicle is used for any off campus trips. By reducing large vehicle (12 passenger vans for example) use, our fuel consumption on campus could be lowered.
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:
In Fall 2016, multiple student groups in Environmental Scenarios and Solutions researched different aspects of expanding our organic waste program into the residence halls on campus. The organic waste collection system only existed in our dining halls and students wanted to see if other students would utilize it, how much waste could be diverted and if it was feasible from a labor aspect. Due to the results of the various projects we launched a pilot program in one of our residence halls in the following semester.
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:
In Spring 2017, a student group in Environmental Scenarios and Solutions evaluated different sites on campus that could benefit from rain gardens to help combat runoff on campus. They recommended plants that could both benefit the rain garden design and were also pollinator friendly and would increase on campus biodiversity.
In Spring 2017 a student researched what the salinity and turbidity of the water that was run off on campus. Unity's campus is situated on a hill and the student looked at salinity and turbidity at the top of campus and at the bottom of campus before it entered the run off reservoir.
Coordination & Planning
No
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:
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Diversity & Affordability
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 Diversity & Affordability:
in Fall 2016, a student group from Environmental Scenarios and Solutions looked at combating food waste and food insecurity on campus. The group looked at what food could be recovered on campus, where it could be served to food insecure students and how they could get the word out about this. This lead the Sustainability Office to hire a student assistant to help recover food from catered events on campus and then provide the food back to students on campus.
Investment & Finance
No
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 Investment & Finance:
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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:
In Fall 2016, two students investigated local sustainability organizations to see what made each of them successful and if there were common themes or lessons that other local organizations could employ. Their work earned them an invitation to present to a conference in Atlanta regarding local sustainability.
Wellbeing & Work
No
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:
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Other Impact Areas
No
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:
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Optional Fields
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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.