| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.79 |
| Liaison | Larry Cook |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Carolina
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Caroline
Zerhusen Project Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
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:
Climate Research Lab. Currently, the Department of Geography has three climatologists and a social scientist associated with the Climate Research Lab: Dr. Gregory Carbone, Dr. April Hiscox, Dr. Cary Mock and Dr. Kirstin Dow. Our research and teaching interests cover a variety of temporal and spatial scales and we employ both modeling and monitoring approaches in our research. Areas of specialty including climate change and air pollution.
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 Darla Moore School Ambassadors are hired to provide sustainability school tours to a variety of audiences. The Darla Moore School of Business building has earned LEED Platinum certification, the highest certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), placing the Moore School among an elite group of buildings earning the highest possible certification for sustainability. The building allows the Moore School to extend its definition of sustainability beyond environmental stewardship to include a healthier work and learning environment.
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:
The Energy Leadership Institute: The University of South Carolina's Energy Leadership Institute (ELI) is leading groundbreaking energy research across the state and region. The interdisciplinary research team covers the technical, economical, public health, and environmental aspects of energy production, distribution and utilization including wind, solar, nuclear, wave, coal, natural gas and fuel.
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:
Through Green Thread, Carolina Food Companys environment sustainability platform, we bring innovative and efficient solutions to life. We are passionately focused on reducing the environmental impact within our operations. We continuously improve our own practices, while offering expertise and practical solutions. We purchase local, seasonal and responsibly raised, grown and sourced products whenever possible.
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 Sustainable Carolina Community Garden serves as a space for individual researchers, classes, and student volunteers to explore the multiple dimensions of permaculture design. Key outcomes include the installation of a dye garden, a keyhole garden, double-dig beds, an installed aquaponics and hydroponics system, vermiculture, and the commercialization of seasonal products grown in the garden.
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:
With Green Thread we purchase local, seasonal and responsibly raised, grown and sourced products whenever possible. We firmly believe responsible sourcing has a direct impact on our local and global economies, our health and wellness and the environment. With every purchase we engage suppliers and partners in an effort to source environmentally and socially responsible 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 University of South Carolina is an extremely bike-friendly campus. The university's commitment to making it easy to commute by bicycle includes widely available bike racks and bicycle identification services.
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:
RecycleMania; RecycleMania is an 8-week college recycling challenge that takes place from February - April across the United States and Canada. It is used to focus attention on campus recycling programs and increase student participation. The Sustainable Carolina Zero Waste team is actively working on reducing waste in dining halls across campus, and Senior Capstone students are designing a low cost compost system for use.
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 Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences conducts research and supports education to improve the management of marine and coastal resources and advance basic science for the well-being of people and their environment.
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:
Student Ambassadors serve on the New Union Steering Committee as they plan to construct a new student union on campus for the Columbia Campus. A major tenant of this project is Sustainability, as they hope to repurpose a previously existing building instead of completely constructing a new building.
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:
The Gamecock Pantry, a student-run food pantry, opened its doors to offer students free groceries. Student Government implemented a campaign to donate unused meal swipes to students in need.
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:
The Dr. Alfred N. and Lynn Manos Page Prize for Sustainability Issues in Business Curricula is designed to encourage and support efforts to introduce or substantially upgrade sustainability courses or associated course work into the curriculum of business schools, both nationally and internationally.
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:
1.The Carolina Community Farm and Garden hosts a number of community organizations, notably the City of Columbia's Parks & Rec summer camp, entitled Camp GLEA. Using a literacy through photography curriculum, participants in this summer camp learn about cooking, nutrition, and gardening while capturing their experiences on camera.
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:
All are welcome for meditation, prayer and reflection in the C.A.L.M. Oasis. We're excited to increase access to meditation and mindfulness and to cultivate a culture of awareness.
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:
Green Quad is a sustainable living community. It is a green dorm that allows students to live and research sustainability at the same time.
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.