Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.80
Liaison Corey Peterson
Submission Date June 2, 2022

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 recent examples include:
- Students in a professional placement for their Social Work degree co-designed a climate café series. The cafes were hosted by social work students through their placements, providing opportunities for facilitated conversations about our responses to learning about the climate crisis (2021)
- A Tasmanian School of Business and Economics (TSBE) Corporate Intern (Marketing) produced a marketing plan to promote UCapture (a green-tech platform that helps to offset the University’s carbon footprint) for university students (2021)
- Various students from the College of Sciences and Engineering in a professional placements analysed Global Climate Change Week events since its creation in 2015. The review assisted the internal UTAS GCCW committee to further develop this initiative.
- A TSBE Corporate Intern (Marketing) produced a report for use of different types of media and communication strategies for campus engagement around sustainability issues and initiatives that could be used in sustainability related campaigns, announcements, etc. (2019)

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, an annual event that is open to the broad community. Events included seminars, Ride2Work, and art displays (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 recent examples include:
- A TSBE Corporate Intern conducted a benchmarking analysis of global initiatives to reduce air travel at universities. Findings from this research were used in the development of the University's Emissions Reduction Strategic Plan (2021)
- 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)

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 recent examples include:
- Engineering students have explored urban greening and the energy efficiency of the built environment at Hobart Student Living accommodation. Outcomes of this work will assist in development of community gardens and improvement of energy efficiency (2021)

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 recent examples include:
- Various TSBE corporate interns conducted energy audits at Sandy Bay Campus, which will be used to improved energy efficiency in the the audited buildings (2021)
- Several TSBE corporate interns conducted a cost-benefit analysis of night lighting for university campuses to improve efficiencies and safety for staff and students (2021)

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 number of students, as part of their class assessment, assisted with the development of nutrition education programs for specific community groups, including engaging with community to understand their priorities and developing resources (2021)
- Various students created a state-wide resource available online for students with information and contacts for food relief support. This followed a study showing a high percentage of students with food insecurity (2021)
- A Social Work and Susainability student in a work placement conducted a study around food gardens for students living in accommodation services (Sandy Bay campus) (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 recent examples include:
- A curricular Honours project identified water availability, efficient use and management for Hobart CBD properties to improve storm water management (2020)

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 recent examples include:
- A TSBE Corporate Intern analysed furniture procurement and Re-Use Program data to better understand and communicate the benefits of this program to the University management and community (2021)
- A TSBE Corporate Intern worked on a project to research ethical suppliers for durable bedding for Study Abroad and Exchange welcome packs for students arriving at the University in 2021 (2020)

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 recent examples include:
- A TSBE corporate intern created a bike register for University staff and students, promoted the new register and analysed current bicycle locker management (2021)
- ICT students developed a web-based app that will allow UTAS staff and volunteers to digitally enter data on number and location of push bikes, electric bikes and motorcycles parked at our main north and south campuses as part of their coursework. This information will be used for facilities planning to improve sustainable transport use (2020)
- Two TSBE Corporate Interns conducted a cost benefit analysis for students using a car share scheme at Sandy Bay accommodation services, which resulted in the scheme being approved and implemented (2019)

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 recent examples include:
- An Honours student conducted an audit and reviewed single-use plastic packaging with staff at UTAS Sandy Bay Campus. Results of this study will be used to reduce single-use plastic on campus (2021)
- A TSBE corporate intern analysed data from all recycling streams available in 23 Recycling Walls at UTAS, and created an interactive dashboard to display results (2021)
- Various students of the unit 'Developing you Creative and Entrepreneurial Potential' identified creative ways to engage with students arriving on campus from diverse backgrounds to communicate both what waste and recycling services are available to them and how to identify which materials are recyclable (2020)
- A team of ICT students developed a mobile app to connect students to event organisers with leftover food in order to reduce organic waste to landfill and food insecurity (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 recent examples include:
- A co-curricular intern conducted the mapping of drinking water stations and student access to drinking water at the Sandy Bay Campus, which was used to identify and eliminate gaps in water access (2020)
- 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)

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 recent examples include:
- Various students from the College of Sciences and Engineering (CoSE) reviewed the night lighting approach of the University for student experience of safety and security at the Sandy Bay Campus (2020)
- A Social Work and Sustainability student in a work placement conducted a study around climate change resilience and wellbeing for students (2019)

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.