University of California, San Diego
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to campus engagement through student internships, fellowships, and class projects.  

Every year, the Office of Utilities & Sustainability hires a Climate Action Student Fellow to focus on student engagement. During the 2023-2024 academic school year, the Student Engagement Fellow researched the disconnection between the general student body and attendance/engagement with on-campus sustainability events. The fellow focused their research on campus resource centers and their level of campus sustainability engagement, such as the Women’s Resource Center and Black Student Union. The fellow documented and assessed their project findings through a poster deliverable at the end of the year. 

For more information about the Climate Action Student Fellows, please visit: https://sustainability.ucsd.edu/involve/fellowships.html   

The Office of Utilities & Sustainability also hires Green Programs Student Interns to support the development and implementation of green programs including, green labs and green offices. During the 2023-2024 academic year, two Green Programs Student Interns focused their efforts on the re-design of UC San Diego’s Green Labs program. Students researched best practice example programs at other institutions, held several focus group sessions to learn how a new program could better engage with research groups, and re-design the entire certification process and steps. The new Green Labs program is housed on an internal SharePoint site, offering streamlined communications and resource sharing with participating labs. Student Interns also organize monthly office hours, inviting participating labs to learn about tools and resources, as well as research groups interested in hearing more about the program.  

For more information about the UC San Diego Green Labs program, please visit: https://sustain.ucsd.edu/involve/green-labs.html  

During the 2023-2024 academic year, the Synthesis Program and UC San Diego Operations Management and Capital Programs partnered to create Living Laboratories in undergraduate courses in Seventh College. The Living Laboratory sections of Synthesis 100 and 150 are project-based courses. One student group researched more effective methods for engaging research laboratories with the UC San Diego Green Labs program. Another student group explored how to create a model for green events on campus and how to better engage with campus community with hosting more sustainable events. 

For more information about the Synthesis Program’s Decarbonization Living Laboratory, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/home?authuser=0. 

View the student projects pertaining to campus engagement: 

UC San Diego utilizes its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to public engagement through student projects and internships. 

For example, the 2023-2024 cohort of the College Corps program, through the UC San Diego Changemaker Institute, had several student fellows supporting campus research entities such as the Homelessness Hub and Center for Community Health. Student fellows contributed to understanding and advancing sustainability in the public realm by researching impactful solutions to curb homelessness and reduce food insecurity.  

For more information about College Corps at UC San Diego, please visit: https://changemaker.ucsd.edu/college-corps/

Since 2014, undergraduate students have served internships through the Blum Summer Field Internship Program, offered through the UC San Diego Center on Global Justice. Student Interns work to increase community agency and environmental stewardship across four disadvantaged communities in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. Students are trained to analyze societal challenges through multiple lenses, to communicate across disciplinary languages and knowledges, and to engage respectfully in collaborative research and problem-solving with each other, and with our community partners. Students participate in mentorship programming with local youth, and work in supervised, interdisciplinary research teams, investigating the many issues and challenges faced by disadvantaged communities of color across our region 

For more information about the Blum Summer Field Internship, please visit: 

 https://cgjustice.ucsd.edu/bsfi/index.html  

UC San Diego utilizes its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to air & climate through several internship and fellowship projects. 

Every year, the Office of Utilities & Sustainability hires Climate Action Student Fellows to support with climate resiliency research projects. All projects utilize the infrastructure and operations of UC San Diego as a living laboratory. For example, during the 2023-2024 academic school year, the Climate Resilience Fellow focused their project on the increased feelings of climate anxiety amongst UC San Diego students. The fellow conducted a survey with a goal of understanding student climate concerns on campus and beyond. The fellow documented and assessed their project findings through a poster deliverable at the end of the year. 

For more information about the Climate Action Student Fellows, please visit: https://sustainability.ucsd.edu/involve/fellowships.html   

The Clean Air Project aimed to address diesel emissions along Biomedical Science Way in response to previous complaints about prolonged idling by large diesel box trucks. Two student interns with Environment, Health & Safety were tasked with evaluating the frequency and volume of idling trucks, conducting PM2.5 and VOC air monitoring, and engaging in education and outreach efforts with drivers. Their goal was to observe and assess a reduction in idling trucks and a decrease in PM2.5 and VOC levels following their outreach activities. Additionally, the interns conducted air monitoring at various locations across campus to understand different sources of air pollution. Initial findings suggest that truck idling is more common along Biomedical Science Way compared to other areas on campus, although not all trucks observed were idling. 

For more information about Environment, Health & Safety projects, please visit: https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/ehs/index.html  
 

UC San Diego utilizes its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to buildings through student projects and courses. 

Through the Synthesis Program, a student group focused their course project on the decarbonization of recreation facilities. Students researched successful examples of energy-efficient recreational facilities and developed a green gym proposal to guide the expansion of UC San Diego’s largest recreational facility.  

For more information about the “Decarbonizing Recreation Facilities” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/campus-space/decarbonizing-rimac?authuser=0 

https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/campus-space/ucsd-embodied-carbon?authuser=0  

Additionally, the USP169 course "Introduction to Green Buildings," is offered through Urban Studies and Planning and aligns student understanding of the LEED rating system through on-campus capital project examples. UC San Diego staff provide guest lectures and tours of LEED-buildings to the class of campus, allowing students to gain direct experience and connect with professionals in the field. The course has been taught by Ravi Bajaj, the former president of the San Diego Green Building Council and a UC San Diego alumnus. 

For more information about USP169, please visit: https://catalog.ucsd.edu/curric/USP.html 

UC San Diego utilizes its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to energy through fellowships and class projects. 

Climate Action Student Fellows through the Office of Utilities & Sustainability support campus decarbonization projects. For example, during the 2023-2024 academic school year, the Decarbonization Fellow researched the campus’s energy production systems and opportunities for decarbonization, with a focus on solar capabilities. The project explored the possibility of solar expansion on campus and examined how effective potential on-campus solar photovoltaic panels could be in fulfilling UC San Diego’s energy demands. The fellow documented and assessed their project findings through a poster deliverable at the end of the year. 

For more information about the Climate Action Student Fellows, please visit: https://sustainability.ucsd.edu/involve/fellowships.html   

Several of the Synthesis Program’s Living Laboratory course projects focused specifically on energy. Of highlight from the past year was a student project that researched the potential for solar canopies and wind energy at UC San Diego. The students examined the costs of solar canopies and wind energy and possible locations for installation on campus. 

For more information about the “Solar Canopies & Wind Energy” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/campus-energy/green-infrastructure?authuser=0  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to food & dining through fellowships and class projects. 

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows work under the guidance of a faculty member in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and operate similarly to the aforementioned Climate Action Fellows. Projects include the expansion and ongoing implementation of equitable food systems at UC San Diego by working alongside campus gardens, the Food Recovery Network, and the Triton Food Pantry. Additionally, students help coordinate efforts across main and health campus entities including Housing*Dining*Hospitality, Real Estate, and student groups.  

For more information about the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows, please visit: https://sustainability.ucsd.edu/involve/fellowships.html 

Housing*Dining*Hospitality (HDH) has been a host site for many College Corps fellows and Zero Waste Interns. Students helped to develop the HDH Waste Sorting Survey, which is now an official survey administered by the department. Students also help to create restaurant-specific waste sorting signs for restaurants and dining locations.  

For more information about the “It’s Time to Meat Your Maker: A Look at Campus Food Waste” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/food-food-waste/a-look-at-food-waste?authuser=0  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for sustainability in relation to grounds through active and experiential based learning. 

The Community Gardens located throughout campus provides students with hands-on experience in sustainable agricultural practices, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Each college within the university has its own dedicated student garden, serving as a practical example of how to manage and maintain green spaces sustainably. Of note is the Rogers Community Garden, which offers hands-on experience in urban agriculture, permaculture design, and research and innovation. The garden serves as a site for student research projects on sustainable practices, such as aquaponics, vertical gardening, and renewable energy integration in gardening. 

Further information about the community gardens, please visit: https://sustain.ucsd.edu/involve/gardens.html  

Through the Synthesis Program, a student group focused their course project on how to implement sustainable change through pollinator gardens throughout campus. They also explored how students can be more involved in caring for the environment and natural ecosystem on campus. As their final project deliverable, the group rehabilitated a pollinator garden located in Muir College.  

For more information about the “Native Species Pollinator Gardens” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/campus-space/pollinator-gardens?authuser=0  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning regarding sustainability in relation to purchasing through fellowships and internships.  

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows (formerly Global Food Initiative Fellows) also conduct project on sustainable good procurement at UC San Diego. Fellows propose ways to meet sustainable procurement goals for UC San Diego, according to the UC Sustainable Practices Policy. Examples include price differentials for sustainable products, diverse sources of sustainable products, comparing the labels for sustainable products, marketing and communication of sustainable products in dining. 

For more information about the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows, please visit: https://sustainability.ucsd.edu/involve/fellowships.html  

As previously mentioned, Green Programs Student Interns in the Office of Utilities & Sustainability spent the 2023-2024 academic year redesigning the green labs program. An important part of the redesign was exploring monetary incentive opportunities through the establishment of equipment rebate programs. Student interns met with life sciences procurement specialists in Integrated Procure-to-Pay Solutions to develop a $1,500 refrigerator and freezer equipment rebate program. In order to receive the rebate, research groups must complete energy certification through the program.  

For more information about the UC San Diego Green Labs program, please visit: https://sustain.ucsd.edu/involve/green-labs.html 

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning regarding sustainability in relation to transportation through course projects. Through the Synthesis Program, several student groups chose to focus their course projects on transportation. Two projects are highlighted below for reference.  

One student group focused their course project on examining why students are underutilizing low-emission transportation options for commuting to and from campus, despite existing low-cost and free incentives. Another student group explored how expanding trolley stations at UC San Diego can better increase utilization while also supporting reductions in emissions. 

For more information about the “Transit Troubles” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/transportation/transit-troubles?authuser=0 

For more information about “Expanding the UC San Diego Trolley for Lowering Emissions” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/transportation/expanding-the-trolley?authuser=0  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning regarding sustainability in relation to waste through course projects. Through the Synthesis Program, several student groups chose to focus their course projects on waste. Two projects are highlighted below for reference.  

One student group focused their course project on educating students about food waste in campus dining halls and designed a brochure for educational purposes. Another student group examined why students are not more proactive about proper food waste disposal. This group administered a survey to collect student feedback on the barriers and motivations for proper waste disposal on campus. Recommendations include improved signage and educational campaigns.  

For more information about the “UC San Diego Dining Hall Food Waste” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/food-food-waste/ucsd-food-waste?authuser=0  

For more information about the “Student Food Waste and Proper Food Waste Disposal” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/food-food-waste/exploring-the-why-of-food-waste?authuser=0  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to water through student internships and projects. 

One such example is the Storm Water Program Internship through Environment, Health & Safety, which focuses on redefining stormwater as a valuable resource rather than a waste product, aligning with California's emphasis on innovative solutions for water management and environmental protection. The internship provides students with hands-on experience in implementing the Phase II Small MS4 Permit and maintaining environmental compliance with state and federal regulations, thereby advancing sustainability goals at the university level. This includes projects such as creating boundary maps, updating the campus building inventory, performing storm drain and facility assessments, and looking for non-stormwater discharges in accordance with the campus Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination program. 

For more information about Environment, Health & Safety projects, please visit: https://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/ehs/index.html 

The Environmental Systems Major at UC San Diego also offers a senior internship project, which provides students with hands-on experience in environmental systems, including water conservation and management. The internship project allows students to work on a real-world problem or research topic related to environmental systems, including water conservation and management. 

For more information about the Environmental Systems senior internship project, please visit: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/esys/jobs-internships  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to coordination & planning through course projects. 

Through the Synthesis Program, a student group focused their course project on how to optimize the current green space on campus in order to enable students to better utilize the outdoor space while also reducing energy consumption. The group surveyed students to seek insight on preferences for study spaces and the alignment of outdoor spaces with improved mental health. The group also looked into the energy usage of common study spaces at Geisel Library and Price Center. Students proposed the feasibility of redesigning two outdoor spaces for studying purposes near Sun God Lawn and the Old Student Center. 

For more information about the “Garden of Ideas: Outdoor Study Spaces” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/campus-space/outdoor-study-spaces?authuser=0  

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to diversity and affordability through fellowships.  

College Corps fellows worked with the UC San Diego Basic Needs Center, which provides food and other basic needs to students at free or reduced costs. Fellows supported the promotion and improvement of programs such as the Triton Food Pantry, Grocery Shuttle, and Food Recovery Network. Some programs that fellows worked on provide assistance specifically to diverse ethnic and racial groups who historically experience barriers affecting access to treatment. 

For more information about College Corps at UC San Diego, please visit: https://changemaker.ucsd.edu/college-corps/ 

UC San Diego is utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to investment and finance through student course projects. 

Through the Synthesis Program, a student group focused their course project on measuring how likely students would be to donate to decarbonization projects on campus. Students me with the Leadership Strategy and Engagement Office to discuss how student engagement with decarbonization would make them more likely to become donors for future projects. Results showed the importance of networking opportunities and how personal student experiences with decarbonization would make them more likely to donate in the future.  

For more information about the "The Making of a Decarbonization Donor” student course project, please visit: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/decarbonization-living-lab/communication/decarb-donors?authuser=0 

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