Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.93
Liaison Miriam Keep
Submission Date May 16, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Micah Kenfield
Sustainability Coordinator
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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 Air & Climate:
A dedicated focus of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment's group research page focuses on climate solutions, and students have been involved on a number of project teams ranging from resilience-oriented projects to carbon capture.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
A recent student project evaluated the possibility of introducing a class to provide students with hands-on experience with the LEED rating system. The students would identify the potential of a building to achieve the LEED Existing Building Operations & Maintenance, and recommend actions necessary.

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
A project based learning class in civil engineering provides students to examine and evaluate facility projects on campus. One project last fall was "Powering Up E-14 - Solar". A project that evaluated the feasibility of installing a solar canopy above one of the larges parking lots on campus.

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
Dining Services procures as much produce as the Sustainable Student Farm can produce. Student volunteers work at the farm planting, weeding and harvesting, gaining an enhanced appreciation of the benefits of local foods.

Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
Over the past few years, several students have worked with Grounds in the installation of native plants. They have done the hard work to establish a large size prairie near the President's house and several other plantings using native species. They are learning the benefits of native plants, ie reduced irrigation, weeding, and biodiversity.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
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 Purchasing:
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Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
A recent student honors project focused on the efficacy of a new crosswalk near the Business Instructional Facility. She collected surveys from pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and mass transit employees. He final report discusses convenience, safety and awareness.

Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
Last year, two different Recyclemania events were undertaken with the support of hundreds of student volunteers. Students learned what types of recyclables were accepted at our Waste Transfer Station, and engaged with fans at two very large sporting events to encourage recycling.

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
A student team worked on a project entitled "Economic and Environmental Benefits of Implementing Low-Flow Toilets in UIUC Buildings".

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
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 Coordination & Planning:
The Student Sustainability Committee is an excellent way for students to gain experience in coordination, planning, and governance. The student's must apply to the committee and participate in an interview before being selected to serve. The student's elect officers and appoint subcommittees. This committee coordinates an annual request for proposals, and student members prepare critical analyses of the proposals received. During their committee meetings, they follow Robert's Rules to run their meetings and vote on proposals.

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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:
A team of performing students is currently working with the Student Sustainability Committee on a series of short plays surrounding the theme of "Environmental Justice is Social Justice." The interdisciplinary team will be creating vignettes based on research in a wide array of green initiatives and how they support - or fall short of - diversity and equity for the entire population.

Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to 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 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
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 Public Engagement:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
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 Wellbeing & Work:
The School of Labor and Employment Relations offers numerous research opportunities for students researching wellbeing in the workplace environment, including research with sustainable outcomes.

Other Impact Areas 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to other areas (e.g. arts & culture or technology)?:
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 other areas:
The Sonified Sustainability Festival is an annual year-long series of performances surrounding the theme of sustainability, waste reduction, and connection to nature. Student interns participate in the research, planning, and execution of this event.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.