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

The Ridley Floating Classroom is a floating laboratory setup by the university to give students a greater understanding of the marine environment and the impact of climate changes. Students board the R/V Ridley for a 2 hour discovery cruise through the Laguna Madre and ship channels that border South Padre Island. The Ridley is a 57 foot marine vessel fully equipped for research and learning. The students will use plankton nets, trawls, water and sediment samplers, and test kits to gain an understanding in the research of marine biology, ecology, and human impacts on the marine environment. Onboard touch tanks and microscopes allow the students to closely observe and learn about adaptations and taxonomy in lessons led by the Floating Classroom’s educator-naturalists. In addition to the hands-on learning experience offered on the Ridley, sightings of bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and brown pelicans are common in the Laguna Madre. The goal is to enhance the understanding of this unique marine environment and inspire stewardship of our coastal natural resources in students of all ages. Sources: http://www.utrgv.edu/csl/visit/ridley-floating-classroom/index.htm

UTRGV'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. The UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science was also selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to host the South Texas Industrial Assessment Center and was awarded a $1.25 million grant which will fund the five-year project. The project provides industrial energy assessments, to local small and medium-size enterprises, helping manufacturers costs in energy, productivity and water management. This will make UTRGV the only Industrial Assessment Center in the University of Texas System, and the institution will conduct energy studies to identify opportunities to aid productivity, save energy and ultimately reduce waste . Sourece: http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/administration/finance-and-administration/facilities-planning-and-operations/

UTRGV 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. https://www.valleybusinessreport.com/recent-news/future-utrgv-center-to-provide-free-energy-assessments-to-local-businesses/ Solar Radiation Tracking System: Launched in September 1, 2011, UTRGV (then 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.

A three-year grant recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will support 30 undergraduate students in developing research and engaging in experiential learning, while working with first-rate scientists from the USDA, Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M Kingsville Citrus Center, Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation in Weslaco and UTRGV. This grant will help train students to become the next generation of agricultural research scientists focused on future challenges in climate change and food security. Fifteen qualifying students from UTRGV, and fifteen from four other Texas tertiary institutions, will work on real-life research focused on citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing, or HLB) and on cattle fever ticks (CFT) – two ongoing threats for food security not only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region but worldwide. Source: http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2016/july-27-usda-grant-to-utrgv-nurtures-new-scientists-to-address-food-challenges/index.htm UTRGV 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. This effort is under the guidance of Dr. Alex Racelis, (program director - Agroecology ) and Dr. Roberto Cantu (program director - Community Involvement ). The garden facility was constructed in 2014 and is located at the North East wing of the university. It consists of 7,500 ft2 of land fully equipped with irrigation, tool shed, and a shade-house dedicated for research under the Agroecology program. Adjacent to this is the UTRGV's state-of-the-art greenhouse equipped with a water wall, sprinklers, and fans ensuring optimum temperature. Research and teaching are being conducted in conjunction with the UTRGV Agroecology Lab . The garden produces okra, eggplant, peppers, basil, tomatoes, cucumber, beets, radishes, lettuce, kale, marigolds, zinnia, and various cover crops. The Community Garden consists of 2,500 ft2 of land which is decorated with 15 raised beds. Nine UTRGV student organizations including The Environmental Awareness Club, The Garden Club, SGA, and many more have sign up to grow, maintain, and harvest their yields. sources: http://www.utrgv.edu/agroecology/facilities/utrgv-garden-and-greenhouse/index.htm UTRGV contracts its food services to an outside agency, Sodexo. This business, by protecting and improving our environment, the communities where we do business and the students we serve, Sodexo makes every day a better day and every tomorrow a better tomorrow. From purchasing local seasonal produce whenever possible to reducing inorganic and organic waste, your campus team is dedicated to providing you with an exceptional dining experience that is good for you and good for the planet. This commitment was formalized with Sodexo's Better Tomorrow Plan. The Better Tomorrow Plan includes 18 commitments for a brighter future by focusing on four key priorities: health, planet, community and our people. Source: https://utrgvdining.sodexomyway.com/planet/index.html

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 has worked with urban forestry students 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. Sources: http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2015/october-29-utrgv-celebrates-tree-campus-usa-designation-during-campus-sustainability-day/index.htm http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2015/november-05-utrgv-seeks-community-votes-to-win-tree-campus-usa-service-learning-project-award/index.htm

During a 2 year period, students from the University Cycling team (legacy University of Texas - Pan American) 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, the university Police Department, the Transportation Advisory Committee, and the 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 faculty, students, and the University Cycling team (legacy UTPA) 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 Edinburg 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 (the legacy University of Texas-Pan American) 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.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine strives to create and sustain a spirit of diversity, inclusion, and enrichment that will foster an environment of cultural competency, sensitivity, and awareness. The UTRGV SOM goals stem from the School’s unique geographic location at the border of the U.S. and Mexico, a place that is enriched by its culture and family traditions but burdened by health disparities. This inspires the School’s dedication to research, the generation of new knowledge, public service, culturally-aware care, and increasing underrepresented minorities in medicine. Developing a cross cultural understanding allow students, faculty and staff to embrace and celebrate distinctive perspectives and viewpoints that enrich all members of the UTRGV SOM are essential to strengthening the communities we serve, and improving the health of the public with a critical focus on the benefits of diversity in medicine and biomedical sciences. Source: http://www.utrgv.edu/som/student-wellness/services/diversity-and-inclusion/index.htm The UTRGV Student Food Pantry’s mission is to assist students in need by providing food supplemental to those impacted by financial problems/conditions, and are subsequently experiencing difficulty meeting their nutritional needs. The food pantry will gather, store, and distribute non-perishable food in a manner that respects the dignity and worth of every student. The food pantry coincides with the university’s values supporting student retention. Source: http://www.utrgv.edu/som/student-wellness/food-pantry/index.htm

The UTRGV College of Business and Entrepreneurship is expanding the Center for Innovation and Commercialization to Weslaco, Texas. The center focuses on helping aspiring and current business owners start or grow their business by way of education and provides services such as community work stations, receptionists, and semi-private office spaces. Sources: http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_009a469a-f533-11e6-a3e0-c3124c6cd4e8.html

UTRGV 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.

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. http://www.utrgv.edu/urec/things-to-do/fitness-and-wellness/index.htm

he University of Texas Rio Grande Valley through its HESTEC program is hosting the very first Texas GreenPower USA Challenge electric car competition in Texas. The Rio Grande Valley will be the site for this competition in 2018. Only 20 teams will have the opportunity to compete. UTRGV and its award winning program, HESTEC, Hispanic Engineering, Science, and Technology Week, are proud to partner with GreenPower USA Foundation to bring this competition that uses the excitement of motorsport to inspire students from primary school to university to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) studies. The mission of the competition is to advance education in the subjects of sustainable engineering and technology to young people. Greenpower runs engineering challenges for schools based around designing and building a single seat electric powered race car. Sources: http://www.utrgv.edu/hestec/schedule/green-power/index.htm