University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

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UTPA's project planning and facilities management department involves engineering students (interns) each year to assist with various projects around campus, both in planning and construction. They routinely assist in the collection of data for campus-wide HVAC and mechanical equipment.

UTPA is engaging students in locally relevant research projects designed to address problems South Texas organic farmers are facing, while expanding opportunities for students to study and pursue careers in agroecology and sustainable agriculture. Agroecology students growing food at the institution’s USDA certified organic greenhouse/community garden donate portions of the harvest to the institution’s food pantry, which helps low income and at risk students meet their necessary and basic food needs. In addition to serving locally grown organic food, UTPA professor, Dr. Amy Weimer leads a group of students in collaboration with Region One (Clara Contreras, Prevention Specialist) to identify children who are at significantly increased risk of diabetes because of the exacerbating influence of stimulants and atypical drugs. sources: http://www.utpa.edu/news/2015/02/utpa-plants-seeds-on-campus-to-grow-sustainable-organic-gardening.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id4yqdS8drI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX6zGlIzxpE

UTPA Electrical engineering students, under the direction of Dr. Jaime Ramos, professor of engineering, are incorporating solar arrays in their research on solar power. In 2010, TXU Energy partnered with the University and unveiled two solar array panels installed on campus. The arrays not only provide clean energy to the University, but allow electrical engineering students to obtain hands-on experience in the fields of engineering and sustainability. Additionally, students and faculty members are conducting research on system integration, as well as developing and installing new instruments. (sources: http://www.utpa.edu/news/2010/09/txu-energy-donates-solar-arrays-to-utpa.htm) https://portal.utpa.edu/portal/page/portal/utpa_main/dba_home/sustainability_home/images_files_page/jaime%20ramos.doc.pdf Solar Radiation Tracking System: Launched in September 1, 2011, The University of Texas-Pan American has installed and utilized a solar radiation tracking system, which determines how much power can be harnessed from the sun. UTPA was able to launch this system due to a federal grant from the Department of Energy in which Dr. Jaime Ramos serves as principal investigator of the program. The radiation tracking system allow students to record and collect information to research the precise measurements of solar radiation through a photovoltaic (PV) system. This PV system uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity.

1. The Agroecology Department developed an urban forestry course where students participate in service learning opportunities centered on campus, involving community and forestry efforts in projects. Dr. Alexis Racelis and graduate student George Cantu have worked with urban forestry students over three semesters to inventory all trees on the Edinburg campus as part of the process to acquire Tree Campus USA designation. 32 university students from multiple disciplines were trained by faculty and local and state foresters to identify and tag each tree and in the tools and methods to take the tree health and dimensional data of nearly all of the more than 2,000 trees on campus. The students inventoried close to 2,000 trees found on campus and have developed a Campus Tree Management Plan. source: http://portal.utpa.edu/utpa_main/daa_home/cose_home/biology_home/biology_research/agroecology_home/tree-campus http://www.utpa.edu/news/2015/07/utrgv-edinburg-campus-garners-tree-campus-usa-designation.htm?utm_source=broncnotes&utm_medium=email&utm_content=UTRGV%20Edinburg%20campus%20garners%20Tree%20Campus%20USA%20designation&utm_campaign=broncnotes-students

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Over a 2 year period, students from the University Cycling team in partnership with a staff member, conducted surveys to assess the need for additional bicycle racks as well as much needed bicycle repair stations. There are now a total of three bicycle repair stations throughout campus allowing students to repair their bicycles within a short time frame, rather than walking to the closest repair shop five miles away. With the increase of bicycle racks, bicycle repair stations, and awareness campaigns, cycling on campus has increased approximately 300 percent within the last two years. In 2013, UTPA Police Department, UTPA Transportation Advisory Committee, and UTPA students partnered with The City of Edinburg to adopt of a Safe Passing Ordinance. The students advocated, researched and presented findings to the Edinburg City Commissioners and requested the adoption a Cycling Safe Passing Ordinance aimed to protect vulnerable road users, which include pedestrians, bicyclists, construction workers and people on horseback. The ordinance included enforcement training for both University and City of Edinburg Police Departments. ref: http://www.cityofedinburg.com/newsevents.php?news_id=1144 Several UTPA faculty, students, and the University Cycling team came together after several months of research to conduct surveys and petitions during the redesign of the campus main entrance with the City of Edinburg and The Texas Department of Transportation to request/petition a turning lane, with a bike box and a pedestrian head complete with a timing countdown for safe crossings. Constructed and placed at the main entrance of the UTPA campus, this street signal will now also give drivers getting on and off campus another alternative. The signal includes a turning lane, a bike box and a pedestrian head complete with a timing countdown for safe crossings.

The solar recycling stations (aka Big Belly), and hydration stations found across campus were proposed by an Office For Sustainability intern majoring in Environmental Science. His research and proposal included the social, environmental, and economic benefits of these stations. The V.P. of Business Affairs provided funding for this project upon review of the return on investment calculations provided in the presentation. These stations were unveiled during Earth Day with a promotional campaign that has reduced the amount of plastic bottles discarded around campus, and has encouraged students and faculty alike to keep track of the specific trash they dispose of.

Faculty and students re-create self-sustaining urban forest ecosystems with bioswales, pervious pavement systems and roadway bufferyards connecting pocket park-like forested areas with green, low-impact-development parking lots with major canopy cover. Bioswales (stormwater management structures) found around campus aid in the treatment of water, capturing pollutants found in it . The bioswales performance and distribution are actively tracked and monitored by engineering students. The bioswales have reduced the pollutants and stilt found in the water for our campus.

The University leadership supports The Office for Sustainability with funding and resources to train and develop a group of graduates and PhD students with the necessary skills to conduct the AASHE STARS Assessment. This fellowship program aids as a living laboratory for the students involved as they conduct in depth research on and about the campus-wide departments to collect the necessary data for submission. The educational experiences provides long term benefits offering students and shareholders, regardless of discipline a comprehensive and holistic understanding of how to apply and assess sustainable practices on both a personal and professional level.

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The Wellness & Recreational Sports Complex works with the Dietetics program to provide Senior students practicum hours. The students use the Fitness Assessment room and clients learn how to live a sustainable healthy lifestyle., present a sustainable and healthy cooking demonstration and at least 2 other presentations as part of the practicum. The students work 8 hours per day 2 days per week for 5 weeks.

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UTPA professor, Dr. Amy Weimer leads a group of students in collaboration with Region One to identify children who are at significantly increased risk of diabetes because of the exacerbating influence of stimulants and atypical drugs.

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