| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.90 |
| Liaison | Cody Friend |
| Submission Date | March 19, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Nebraska at Omaha
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Sarah
Burke Sustainability Coordinator Student Affairs |
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:
SUST 1000 - Air quality service learning project (studying ozone and generating communication pieces to reduce idling on campus)
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:
Performance and economics of LED luminaire suite retrofits in Scott Hall (Residence Hall on campus)
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:
Performance and economics of LED luminaire suite retrofits in Scott Hall (Residence Hall on campus) (2018)
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:
SUST 1000 - Every Bite Counts class assignment. Every Bite Counts is the food recovery program on campus. Students are asked to sign up for one recovery shift during the semester.
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:
The campus bioretention garden is a living laboratory utilized by horticulture students. Students observe the way plants adapt and move throughout the garden.
The UNO Welcome Center bioretention gardens recently had a number of pieces of monitoring equipment installed to assess how the gardens are performing. Installed equipment includes soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, data loggers, and cameras. The soil moisture and temperature sensors have been installed in groups of three in two locations in both of the bioretention gardens. The depths of the sensors are at 6 inches, 18 inches, and 30 inches. These sensors will provide a better understanding how moisture moves through the soil throughout a given year and over the long term, how it changes from year-to-year. Soil temperature can play a significant role in bioretention plant and soil health as well as infiltration; this equipment will help expand the limited research that has focused on garden soil temperatures. The two live web cameras will provide excellent insights into how the gardens perform during a given rain event and also provide a visual assessment of how the plants perform within the gardens. Time-lapse video will show how the garden grows and changes throughout the year, providing an excellent way to assess plant performance as well as illustrate the seasonal beauty and diversity of native and adapted garden plants throughout the year. The data collected by the sensors and web cameras will be displayed online as well as in real-time on a kiosk to be installed in the Durham Science Building. It will also be utilized by multiple classes at UNO to teach about green infrastructure and stormwater management in general.
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:
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:
Sustainability 1000 - Traffic Study/Intersection Study of campus roadways.
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:
A student in the "Principles of Sustainability" business class did his final project on waste generation on campus. To accomplish his project, the student conducted a number of waste audits at UNO's residence halls and then developed an action plan to address ways to improve awareness and accuracy 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:
The campus bioretention garden is a living laboratory utilized by horticulture students. It provides students with a demonstration of how native plants effectively deal with stormwater.
The UNO Welcome Center bioretention gardens recently had a number of pieces of monitoring equipment installed to assess how the gardens are performing. Installed equipment includes soil moisture sensors, temperature sensors, data loggers, and cameras. The soil moisture and temperature sensors have been installed in groups of three in two locations in both of the bioretention gardens. The depths of the sensors are at 6 inches, 18 inches, and 30 inches. These sensors will provide a better understanding how moisture moves through the soil throughout a given year and over the long term, how it changes from year-to-year. Soil temperature can play a significant role in bioretention plant and soil health as well as infiltration; this equipment will help expand the limited research that has focused on garden soil temperatures. The two live web cameras will provide excellent insights into how the gardens perform during a given rain event and also provide a visual assessment of how the plants perform within the gardens. Time-lapse video will show how the garden grows and changes throughout the year, providing an excellent way to assess plant performance as well as illustrate the seasonal beauty and diversity of native and adapted garden plants throughout the year. The data collected by the sensors and web cameras will be displayed online as well as in real-time on a kiosk to be installed in the Durham Science Building. It will also be utilized by multiple classes at UNO to teach about green infrastructure and stormwater management in general.
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:
Independent study of Omaha's Complete Street Policy and how UNO would adopt a similar policy for our campus streets.
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:
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:
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:
Bus Scavenger Hunt - student project using public transportation to local businesses and attractions to encourage and incentivize students to us the city bus using their free bus passes.
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:
Effect of Mindful Meditation and Gratitude Journaling on College Student Stress and Well-Being Overtime.
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 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:
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.