| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.31 |
| Liaison | Amy McElhinney |
| Submission Date | Sept. 29, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Mount Union
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Jamie
Greiner Sustainability and Campus Outreach Manager Nature Center |
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
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:
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
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:
The Green Raiders offer Sustainability Tours, which include a stop at the LEED Certified Silver Gartner Welcome Center. There they can explain the features of this building, which includes a geothermal heat pump, automatic lighting controls, low flow fixtures, and high efficiency mechanical and electrical systems to name a few. Additionally, Jim Rhodes (Assistant Director Physical Plant) does a presentation for the Environmental Science Class each year and discusses building features.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
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:
We have two solar photovoltaic arrays. The data from these arrays is collected continuously (Sunny Portal) and students can use the data to study the potential for further renewable energy solutions. The Green Raiders also take the Sustainability Tour to the roof top to allow for an up close view of the thin film array on the Peterson Fieldhouse, while explaining how much energy it produces.
Green Revolving Fund projects - LED lights, fume hood upgrades, motion sensors.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
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:
Students conduct food waste audits and have studied the effects of tray-less dining. The large volume of waste and the significant reduction in waste on tray-less days is used in outreach materials to raise student awareness about food waste and explain what they can do to limit the amount of food they waste.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
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:
Environmental Chemistry students are assigned projects related to the soil and water quality on campus. These are multi-week in depth projects that look at levels of nutrient in campus waterways.
As part of the Sustainability Tour the Butterfly Garden is highlighted as a pollinator habitat. A second pollinator habitat in underway, through the efforts of the Green Raiders, Environmental Club, and Nature Center. Additionally, Mount Union's efforts to make the campus grounds more pedestrian and bike friendly are explained by describing roadway eliminations, installation of bike racks, and the acquisition of a Bike Fix-it Station. Lastly, our status as a Tree Campus USA is described while different trees around campus are marked with permanent labels and added to the Campus Arboretum by students in an Environmental Science class.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
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:
The Sustainability Tour describes the Universities Green Sustainability Purchasing Policy and IT's commitment to buying Energy Star and EPEAT hardware and products.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
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:
The Sustainability Tour highlights the roadway eliminations that have occurred to make the campus more pedestrian and bike friendly. The bike racks and bike fix-it station are highlighted and the campus will soon be the future home of a County Walking/Biking Trail (Iron Horse Trail will go through campus). During Sustainability month a Transportation Challenge is sponsored to encourage walking, biking, and carpooling to and from campus. In October 2016 a Wellness Trail was implemented with most of the input on location from the Green Raiders.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
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:
We participate annually in RecycleMania and students are involved in measuring waste and waste diversion and developing strategies for waste minimization education on campus.
We participate annually in Game Day Challenge to raise awareness in the tailgate lots and stadium about recycling.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
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:
Environmental Chemistry students are assigned projects related to the soil and water quality on campus. These are multi-week in depth projects that look at levels of nutrient in campus waterways (Campus Lakes).
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
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 Sustainability Management Advisory Committee (SMAC) and the Environmental Case Studies class recently did a review/assessment of the University's need to begin resiliency planning. Resiliency planning was recommended and will require coordination between the University, City of Alliance, and businesses in Alliance (through Chamber of Commerce).
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
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:
Each year the campus hosts the Not Another Statistic Diversity Conference. Sponsored by the University’s Dean of Students Office, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Student Senate and hosted by the Mount Union Diversity Council and Student Senate, this conference is an opportunity for college students from across the state to come together and explore diversity on college campuses from a wide variety of perspectives.
In 2016 the Green Raiders gave a presentation on Environmental Justice.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
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:
In 2016 the University set-up a Green Revolving Fund to use for energy efficiency projects on campus. The following projects have been completed: LED Lighting retrofits, Fume Hood Upgrades, and Motion Sensor installations. A form was developed by the Sustainability Management Advisory Committee (SMAC) to solicit suggestions from the entire campus community, students, staff, and faculty.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
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:
The University has a Center for Civic Engagement. The Regula Center is home to a variety of community-based opportunities that all students to learn about and experience engaged, informed citizenship with the public.
The University also operates the Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center that is open to both the campus and the public for educational programs, events, and hiking.
Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
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:
In 2016 the Sustainability Management Advisory Committee (SMAC) created a Wellness Trail on campus in conjunction with the Healthy Campus Initiative to encourage people to get out of their offices and experience the campus outdoors. Additionally, through this initiative walking meetings have been encouraged.
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)?:
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 Giese Center has an art gallery, which displays various traveling works of art throughout the year.
Annual ARTFEST at the Campus Lakes:
Sponsored by Mount Union and the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, ArtFest features original works by area artists in various media including watercolor, oil, collage, graphics, drawings, fine and functional crafts, photography, jewelry, pen and ink, sculpture, glass mosaics, printmaking and mixed media works. In addition, the category of functional craft has been added. Functional craft includes such works as jewelry, fiber,woodworking, glass, enameling, lights, mirrors, purses/bags, candles and soaps.
The most recent ArtFest featured 37 art and functional craft vendors. Live demos take place throughout the day exhibiting displays of hand-made pottery and woodturning. In addition, “A Taste of Alliance,” coordinated by the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, took place simultaneously, featuring food and beverages for sale by area restaurants and caterers. Live entertainment is provided throughout the day by Mount Union and Alliance area musicians.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information from Jim Rhodes, Anson Gross, Dr. Jeff Draves, Dr. Charles McClaugherty, Ron Holden, Pat Heddleston, Abby Honaker, and Kelsey Scanlon. Additional information obtained by UMU website.
Information entered by Jamie Greiner
Information from Jim Rhodes, Anson Gross, Dr. Jeff Draves, Dr. Charles McClaugherty, Ron Holden, Pat Heddleston, Abby Honaker, and Kelsey Scanlon. Additional information obtained by UMU website.
Information entered by Jamie Greiner
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