| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.69 |
| Liaison | Trevor Ledbetter |
| Submission Date | Jan. 6, 2025 |
University of Arizona
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Trevor
Ledbetter Director Office of Sustainability |
Campus Engagement
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
LEED-ing The Way: An Analysis of Activities in LEED vs. Non-LEED Spaces. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major conducted a study of LEED and Non-LEED buildings on campus in order to see how each of them influenced students' behavior. Through this, the student was able to explore how sustainability in campus buildings influences their engagement.
Public Engagement
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
Addressing Environmental Injustice in Tucson with Green Infrastructure. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major conducted a GIS study of vegetation coverage across Tucson. Using their findings, the student formulated a small scale proposal for a site renovation in the city. This plan outlines how a vacant lot in a lower-income community could be turned into a green space for the community.
Air & Climate
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Addressing Environmental Injustice in Tucson with Green Infrastructure. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major conducted a GIS study of vegetation coverage across Tucson. Using their findings, the student formulated a small scale proposal for a site renovation in the city. This plan outlines how a vacant lot in a lower-income community could be turned into a green space for the community.
Buildings
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Agrivoltaics Effects on the Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building Rooftop Heat Island Effect. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major researched the impact of the agrivoltaics installation on the roof of ENR2 as it relates to the rooftop heat island effect. "While there has been some research on the benefits of green roofs and walls in reducing urban heat, there is limited research on the combined benefits of Agrivoltaics and green infrastructure. The relationship between Agrivoltaics and urban heat was studied using primary quantitative data collected from the Environment and Natural Resource 2 Building located on the main University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona. The findings of this study indicate that the Environment and Natural Resource 2 Building rooftop Agrivoltaics system has the potential to improve the conditions of the surface area by cooling the surrounding ambient temperature."
Energy
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Optimizing Building Performance: Recommended Design Strategies for the University of Arizona Mathematics Building. May 2022.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major analyzed the Mathematics Building on campus in order to explore how overall energy use could be reduced.
Food & Dining
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
"Relocalize Our Food is a public-private-academic partnership that involved multidisciplinary researchers, local government agencies, four community food-cultivation organizations, and ten fifth-year B.Arch students. The project was inspired by a need from Pima County to expand Tucson’s urban food system due to equity issues related to healthy and affordable food access in the region. During the process of addressing this need, questions arose concerning water issues in Tucson and the ecological responsibility associated with expanding Tucson’s food systems."
"The project culminated in a public outdoor exhibition at Mission Garden, a large historic garden in Tucson featuring heritage fruit trees, traditional local heirloom crops, and edible Native plants. This event aimed to disseminate the research-design work, stimulate conversation, and provide a platform for gathering feedback on the relocalization of urban food systems."
Grounds
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Agrivoltaics Effect on the Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building: Rooftop Heat Island Effect. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major studied the UHI effect on the roof of ENR2, a LEED certified building on campus. Their objective was to study the effect of rooftop gardens both alone and under PV panels on urban heat.
Purchasing
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
A team of students employed through the Office of Sustainability works to collect, analyze, format, and submit data for AASHE STARS. As a part of this, students review purchasing data from the university.
Transportation
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Break the Chain: The cycling gender gap in Tucson, Arizona. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major explored the gender gap in bike use across Tucson. Through surveys and research, the student was able to provide various explanations for the gap and draw conclusions on some potential solutions to this problem.
Waste
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Improving Recycling at the University of Arizona: student behavior and attitudes. May 2024.
For their capstone thesis, a student in the Sustainable Built Environments major conducted a sudy of recycling on campus. Their research explored student perceptions, effective recycling methods, potential improvements, and more. Recommendations included 1:1 ratio of trash and recycling bins, standardization of recycling bin appearance, and informative graphics to let users know what can and cannot be recycled.
Water
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Barriers to Water Conservation in the Southwestern Landscape. May 2022.
For their capstone thesis, a student in the Sustainable Built Environments major explored the barriers to water conservation in Tucson. As a part of their study, the student interviewed professors at the University of Arizona about their perspective on political, social and economic factors.
Coordination & Planning
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
A team of students employed through the Office of Sustainability works to collect, analyze, format, and submit data for AASHE STARS. Students who work on this project gain a formal undertsanding of how sustainability projects are planned, coordinated and put into practice across campus.
Diversity & Affordability
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Break the Chain: The cycling gender gap in Tucson, Arizona. May 2023.
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major explored the gender gap in bike use across Tucson. Through surveys and research, the student was able to provide various explanations for the gap and draw conclusions on some potential solutions to this problem.
Investment & Finance
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
The University of Arizona is home to a UAZ Divest club which seeks to work with the UA Foundation to divest the university's money over time. As a part of this, students collaborate with university and community members to forward their mission. Members of the club gain an undertsanding of how the university allocates money toward different investment opportunities. Additionally, they educate the student body about sustainable investment activism through tabling, events, petitions, news, and more.
Wellbeing & Work
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
For their capstone thesis, a student within the Sustainable Built Environments major redesigned University Boulevard using Complete Streets principles. "These benefits can include stronger social communities, safer roads across modes of transportation, and improved health of people and environments. This study proposes that Complete Streets principles be applied to University Boulevard in Tucson, Arizona to address current issues with sustainability on this road. This includes a lack of shade, seating, and infrastructure that results in an uncomfortable user experience for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. University Boulevard is adjacent to the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona and is a popular destination for dining and nightlife among students and long-time Tucson residents. Additionally, University Boulevard serves as a gateway to the University that many commuters rely on to get to school and work. By implementing the design proposed in this research, the City of Tucson can address current issues on this road."
https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/672324
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data was sourced from the following: University of Arizona Udall Center - https://udallcenter.arizona.edu/ University of Arizona Repository - https://repository.arizona.edu/.
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.