Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.94
Liaison Corey Peterson
Submission Date July 15, 2020

STARS v2.2

University of Tasmania
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Sustainability Team
UTAS
Infrastructure Services and Development
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Campus Engagement

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
Some examples include:
- A TSBE Corporate Intern (Marketing) produced a report for use of different types of media and communication strategies for campus engagement (2019)
- Three TSBE Corporate Interns organised discussions with a range of student clubs and societies about what they are doing for sustainability and the barriers to further action (2018)
- A team of IT students (KIT301) developed a game app that was then used to engage students around recycling (2018)

Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
Some examples include:
- An i-Prep (immersive work preparation program) student assisted in the organisation and promotion of Global Climate Change Week events, open to the broad community (2019).

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Some examples include:
- A student from the School of Technology, Environments and Design in a curricular placement conducted a benchmarking study to assess climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies at Australian universities (2019)
- Over the last three years, four TSBE Corporate Interns (Accounting) have developed methodology to account for greenhouse gas emissions form computers, IT accessories, recycling disposal and disposable containers at UTAS campuses, in relation to to UTAS carbon neutrality certification (2017-2019)
- Engineering students have looked into stormwater management and flood management in the age of climate change (2018)

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Some examples include:
- Engineering students have worked in a number of projects over the last three years, including: Sustainable greenhouse design for farm; Building façade redesign with BIPV/air cooling/heating

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Some examples include:
- Engineering students (KNE346) have worked in a number of projects over the last three years, including: Suggested efficiency features and designs for the UTAS STEM building; proposal for a solar farm on the Cambridge Uni Farm site; proposal for thermal efficiency and renewable energy for Morris Miller; proposal for repair and renovation of cottage as a showcase of renewable energy and efficiency design (2017-2019)

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
Some examples include:
- A Social Work and Susainability student in a wprk placement conducted a study around food gardens for students living in accommodation services (Sandy Bay campus) (2019)
- Each year over 30 UTAS students engage with Source Community Wholefoods Shop & Cafe located in Sandy Bay Campus through class assignments and a further 50 through class activities associated with the University’s Sustainability Integration Program for Students (SIPS). Another 150+ are exposed to Source as a case study in a unit on Global Food Security (2017-2019)

Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Some examples include:
- Engineering students have investigated water sensitive urban redesign of Grace Street carpark at the University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay campus (2017-2018)

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Some examples include:
- A TSBE Corporate Intern worked on a project to undertake, and document, a sustainable procurement gap analysis, comparing compliance with ISO 20400 – Sustainable Procurement and the Life / STARS frameworks, and to prepare the roadmap of tasks for the centre-led procurement team to achieve compliance with ISO 20400 by 2021 (2019)

Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Some examples include:
- Two TSBE Corporate Interns conductes a cost benefit analysis for students using a car share scheme at Sandy Bay accommodation services (2019)
- Engineering students, as part of their 4th year project, developed reports about the portential for additional bike lanes/pathways on the Sandy Bay Campus, and a bike hub design (2018)
- A team of IT students developed a mobile app to count bikes and motorcycles on UTAS campuses, used to report in the UTAS Sustainable Strategy progress report and in decission-making around sustainable transport (2017)

Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Some examples include:
- A team of IT students developed a mobile app to connect event organisers with leftover food with students, to reduce organic waste to landfill and food insecurity (2019)
- A TSBE Corporate Intern investigated waste to reduce single use catering plastics (2018
- Environmental Management students undertake waste audits on campus as part of their studies (2017-2019)

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Some examples include:
- An i-Prep (immersive work preparation program) student researched water pollution in the Tamar River (where Newnham and Inveresk campuses are located) and communicated mitigation actions to students (2019)
- Engineering students have investigated greywater recycling opportunities with general aims: to minimise potable water delivery to the campus, by re-using sink water for flushing the toilets, by collecting rainwater for a similar purpose, installing a water treatment plant (new generation) etc (2018)

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
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Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
---

Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Some examples include:
- A Social Work and Susainability student in a work placement conducted a study around climate change resiliance and wellbeing for students

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
https://www.utas.edu.au/infrastructure-services-development/sustainability/SIPS

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.