Universidad San Francisco de Quito
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Maria Jose
Ayala Innovation and Sustainability Officer Innovation and Sustainability Office |
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:
Currently, together with the careers of Visual Arts, Organizational Communication (COCOA), Anthropology, Psychology, International Relations (COCISOH), Mechanical Engineering (POLI) the Dean of Students office has been developing projects and internship programs to develop activities with a focus on multidisciplinarity for the construction of spaces for well being. In this line we have been collaborating to build spaces with a focus on the "well being" of the USFQ community with a focus on: mental health, responsible sexuality, LGBT rights, gender equality and academic-social welfare.
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:
The USFQ political training school for youths is a learning space for high school students. It consists of a 9-month course on national, regional and international politics, as well as four academic simulations per year. To participate, students must train and gain knowledge in the fields of economics, society, culture and politics of their assigned country in order to be able to debate and negotiate with the other member countries in the respective bodies and committees of each organization. The project seeks to help students develop skills such as negotiation, general culture and public speaking, thus promoting civic values, civic responsibility and awareness of future leaders of society on current issues of global importance. It has 600 beneficiaries and has the collaboration of the International Relations, Business Administration, Law, Economics and Finance careers.
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:
The IIA USFQ (Institute for Atmospheric Research) is a scientific entity whose purpose is to investigate local and regional atmospheric phenomena, integrating experimentation, computational modeling and statistical data analysis. The experimental component of the IIA is carried out at the USFQ Atmospheric Measurement Station (EMA). Environmental Engineering students get to practice and learn at the EMA during their class of Atmospheric Monitoring.
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:
In civil engineering courses students review an architectural project previously done by the students (another course) and they redesign that project with the lens of sustainability so that they can obtain one of the LEED certifications and also the Quito Eco-Efficiency Tool (HEEQ). The first month we work with sustainability concepts (social, economic and environmental), then we look at these two analyses of LEED and HEEQ. The last month we focused on global issues under the lens of how the development of infrastructure and the built environment have direct impacts on each of the SDGs.
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:
This project develops a pilot energy saving plan for Universidad San Francisco de Quito with the aim of finding possible power failures and propose optimal solutions that are able to contribute to this savings plan. Data was obtained by employing an industrial power analyzer, which was provided and installed by Empresa Eléctrica Quito. Data was collected in only two areas of the University, not in all of the buildings and installations of the University. The two areas under study were selected based on the results of previous energy audit studies which are summarized in the final year projects of two alumni students from the University, in such works, it was found that these areas are the most representative from the total energy consumption in the university. Measurements were made during two periods; during the first period, corresponding to a vacation period, the equipment installed in such areas were not operating at its maximum load, while in the second period the opposite occurs, since the university resumed its normal operation and student activities and therefore loads were working at full.
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:
A chemical engineering student designed a composting system for the university's food and dining services with the aim of improving the areas sustainability performance. The work included close collaboration with the department of hospitality, culinary and tourism.
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:
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:
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:
As part of the trans disciplinary capstone a group of senior year students developed solutions to improve transit and traffic in the Cumbayá campus and its neighborhood through the use of design thinking methodologies.
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:
In an entrepreneurship class students analyzed the user experience with the campus waste collection points (trash cans) to understand the limitations and usability factors that influence correct waste segregation practices. With the information recovered they designed futuristic and innovative waste collection points to improve waste segregation at the source on campus.
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:
Environmental Engineering students analyze the university's pond water quality as part of their environmental characterization laboratory.
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:
Environmental Engineering students developed a sustainability appraisal and indicator plan to improve the university's STARS performance and define priority working areas.
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:
For a year and a half we have been developing a course called Diversity, Culture and Writing LCL 1080, for students who belong to the programs of the Student Support Office, which includes the Ethnic Diversity Program and who require a type of leveling in writing, writing, Spanish and oral expression, especially when their mother tongue has not been Spanish. This was an initiative that came from our office and had the support of the DLE, the Academic Vice Rector's Office and all the authorities involved.
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:
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:
Nutrition students perform consulting hours as part of their professional development requirements open to all the campus community and foster healthy living patterns.
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:
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.