| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.98 |
| Liaison | Jonna Korpi |
| Submission Date | June 2, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Minnesota, Duluth
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.60 / 4.00 |
Mindy
Granley Sustainability Director UMD Office of Sustainability |
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Is the institution utilizing the campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in the following areas?:
| Yes or No | |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | --- |
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Air & Climate and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
We use the campus green buildings (especially LEED buildings) for pilot studies and as teaching tools during campus tours, for students, staff, and visitors. We have two solar arrays atop buildings (website with data at: http://z.umn.edu/umdsolar ), and we use interpretative signs to explain sustainable features at the Bagley Classroom, Labovitz School of Business and Economics, and other areas.
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Dining Services/Food and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The UMD SAP (Sustainable Agriculture Project) connects students and farming. Much of the produce is sold to UMD Dining Services, for inclusion in the Dining Center and/or the UMD Food Court (mostly in the Salad Bar). Over 20,000 pounds of food has been sold to UMD Dining Services since 2013. http://www.d.umn.edu/cscd/sap/main/index.php
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Energy and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The UMD Small Wind Research Turbine project (Civil Engineering, Biology), faculty member Alison Hozie is researching a new small-wind technology, and Biology researchers (led by Gerald Niemi) are studying migration patterns of birds at the actual site: z.umn.edu/wind
Biodiesel student group (Senior Design II project) made recommendations to UMD Dining and Facilities Management to create fuel from waste frying oil. https://docs.google.com/a/d.umn.edu/file/d/0B9ZyertIOSOicUZxWmhHcm9jT0luNVJLOUh6SHp1cXY4Ty1Z/edit
Energy audits are being conducted for lighting at the Natural Resources Research Institute by interns, and they will submit an application to the Green Revolving Fund for updates.Tours of the UMD heating plant are used in both Thermodynamics and Environmental Engineering classes.
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Grounds and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Edible Landscapes program are a visible reminder to campus about where food comes from, and what can be grown in our harsh climate. https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/campus-initiatives/land-and-water/edible-landscapes/
Rain garden projects, including an educational DVD were developed by students (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAlWXnpNVgM )
Continual stormwater outreach and engineering interns help implement and improve Standard Operating Procedures to protect our local watersheds.
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Purchasing and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Transportation and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
UMD students have tracked fleet mileage per gallon, and Scope 3 commuting emissions, via internships with the UMD Office of Sustainability. (example: https://prezi.com/wd-s_wzpg-b_/umds-2013-scope-3-carbon-emissions/)
There is also an active Bike to Campus program (including Wellness incentive points for staff/faculty). https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/campus-initiatives/transportation/bicycling/
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Waste and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Recycling and composting outreach projects are continuous (currently an intern for NRRI, and LiNCs programs, see interns at http://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/about-us/sustainability-interns/)
Housing Recycling survey was conducted, to find barriers to recycling for freshman (https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Recycling-Survey-UMD-Housing-2014_withtext.pdf)
Interns and students worked on videos. group projects, and trash audits, to call attention to waste reduction on campus. See waste section at: http://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/programs/ideas-for-student-projects/
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Water conservation and water quality are both included in this category. Studies on water consumption (especially in Sports and Health), and projects to reduce bottled water consumption have been used for class projects and campus-wide surveys. See Water section at https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/programs/ideas-for-student-projects/
In addition, students and recent graduates have both interned with Minnesota Sea Grant programs around protecting Lake Superior, most recently the Chester Creek Watershed project, at http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/coastal_communities/chestercreekproject
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Coordination, Planning & Governance and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Diversity & Affordability and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Health, Wellbeing & Work and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
LiNCS interns work 40 hours in semester on areas of health education related to Environmental Health, have included recycling, greenhouse gas emissions education/outreach, "Take the Stairs" campaign, walk/bike-to school activities, and composting outreach. An Environmental Health and Safety intern measured fume-hood performance in every research building (for both energy conservation and ventilation/human health aspects). See: https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/programs/ideas-for-student-projects/
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Investment and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Public Engagement and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
In 2014, Minnesota cities werematched with UMD students to work on sustainability issues. The Minnesota GreenStep Cities program helps cities make a commitment to manage their natural resources and achieve their quality-of-life goals. They look at issues including building and lighting; land use; economic and community development; transportation; and environmental management. The five cities were Duluth, Ely, Grand Marais, Pine City, and Silver Bay. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will join the UMD collaboration this summer.
http://www.d.umn.edu/external-affairs/homepage/14/greenstepcities.html
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A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory in Other areas and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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.