| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 62.46 |
| Liaison | Morgan Hartman |
| Submission Date | Jan. 31, 2020 |
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Elizabeth
Snyder Communications Specialist GA Office of Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
Last spring students decided to create a music and arts festival that took part during EarthStock, UNL's month long celebration of sustainability in April.
Open to all ages, the festival included a variety genre show celebrating environmental sustainability in Lincoln. Musicians featured included: Orca Welles, A rock band out of Omaha, Fort Collins, and New Orleans; The Wildwoods, An Americana roots band comprised of Nebraska Natives; Madeline Reddel Quartet, An emerging jazz band from Omaha and a showcase of Lincoln Environmental Artists.
The festival brought students together from all over campus to explore the application of art to topics of sustainability.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
There are a number of engagement living lab initiatives on campus, here are a few:
-ASUN student government has "The Big Event" every year where thousands of students enter the community to perform volunteer work like trash cleanups, building upkeep, etc.
-A number of student Interns at the Center for Civic Engagement work closely with community organization to set up Alternative Spring Break Trips, Service Day program, and other volunteer opportunities for UNL Students.
-The Architecture 107 class encourages students to get involved with sustainability projects within the community.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Sustain UNL, a student group on campus that focuses on various sustainability initiatives focused on Air and Climate via its participation in the Global Climate Strikes. The organization raised awareness and coordinated a walkout on behalf of the student body to call attention to Nebraska's government about the need for a climate action plan. During the strike, the group delivered a list of demands to the capitol. The group also continued to protest in the following weeks about the need to take them seriously and demand action and response from the capitol.
Messaging from the event:
"Nebraska has a unique opportunity to use our agricultural systems, grasslands, wind & solar potential, and #NebraskaStrong spirit to be part of the solution. We need conversation and action on the state level. Let's make some noise and demand climate action from our elected officials! Like it says on our state capitol building, "The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen." We need you, your neighbors, classmates, and coworkers to JOIN US in advocating for policy that prioritizes the future of our climate for the sake of our generation and generations to come."
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Cenergistic has partnered with the University of Nebraska to provide a building conservation and energy management service.
The site below explains the partnership with Cenergistic, the EnergyProgram’s benefits, and how students can get involved in learning about how the university purchases and uses its energy as well as ways to help conserve it and further promote energy conservation to fellow peers.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
A student group revitalized UNL's student organic farm a few years ago, called Bugeater Farms. They received a grant from the ASUN Green Fund to build new hoop houses, raised beds, and grow 2000 pounds of produce. This produce was given to students through organic food educational programming, and donated to the People's City Mission to give underprivileged people more access to healthy food. This program is still going strong.
Another project that is new fall 2019 includes Dining's new BioDigester LeanPath system. Starting as pilot in one dining hall, this will hopefully lead the university to start a composting program in all dining halls in the near future. The pilot allows students to get involved in learning about the biodigester and composting hands on.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
A variety of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture courses are taught using the physical campus landscape, arboretum, and greenhouses. For Example, Horticulture 467 focuses on not only the business side of horticulture but provides a hands on experience for students throughout the East Campus greenhouses.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
UNL is currently looking at the potential for more electric charging stations on and near campus to promote the use of cleaner energy. This project, mainly coming out of the Engineering college includes student research on the pros and cons of the charging stations as well as the feasibility for UNL to purse them and where they should be placed.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
A few years ago a group of students through the Environmental Leadership Program performed waste audits and worked with the Adele Learning Commons (part of the UNL city campus library), to improve their recycling system. Last fall the building did not have recycling, however, through the student project they have started recycling and have changed their labeling and education.
ELP has continued to do waste audits in other academic buildings via getting specific classes involved. Professors have begun to assign waste audits as a key class project in which students learn about what their buildings are throwing away as well as how to properly sort items. From these variety of waste audits UNL has learned about its contamination rate and the need for more education on how/what can be recycled.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
A few years ago an advertising and public relations capstone course, a group of students worked with UNL's office for storm water management. They created an awareness campaign, created models and signage, and worked with ASUN student government to educate students about how the university deals with their storm water, and the importance of the infrastructure.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Student volunteers partner with the UNL Center for Civic Engagement every year to create the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) to provide tax services to students, their families, and even community members that cannot otherwise afford these services. This project involves diversity and affordability because the largest users of these services are low-income, and often minority groups.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
ASUN student government houses the ASUN Green Fund which provides grants to students looking to perform sustainability-related projects. The establishment and operation of the green fund is done entirely by students. This allows students to find the investment that they need to perform large-scale sustainability projects that were not possible before.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Fall 2019, UNL created a Chancellor's Commission on Environment, Sustainability and Resilience. The commission provides strategic recommendations to the Chancellor relating to campus sustainability initiatives, the development of resilient infrastructure systems, and socially responsible economic practices through the involvement of all major stakeholders within UNL.
In the commission there are 7 action teams each with a specific charge. There are two student representatives on each action team, one of which includes Health and Wellness. The student representatives will work first hand with faculty members to come up with ideas and solutions to advancing sustainability in the realm of Health and Wellness.
More information on the commission can be found here: https://sustainability.unl.edu/chancellors-environment-sustainability-and-resilience-commission
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program 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.