University of the Pacific
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

In Fall 2017 the final project for students in EMGT193 Building Information Modeling was to design a Garden Resource Center. Students interviewed the Garden Program Director and then modeled 6 different building designs.

Fall 2018 students in Engineering Management Synthesis conducted an energy audit of Khoury Hall. They also used the experience to create a template future students could use on campus building inventories. Building on this, in summer 2019 a student strengthened the template and used it to assess vampire loads in Chambers Technology Center. Printers and single serving style coffee machines were found to be some of the most energy intensive electronics.

Four faculty members from Biology, Geological Sciences, and History use the Grounds as a classroom in which students complete assignments determining the types of plants, sediments, and animal life on the grounds. Students also conduct experiments to test the quality of the soil, presence of pesticides, water consumption across campus and come up with alternative ways in which Pacific can reduce its ecological impact.

The Purchasing department also handles Surplus. In AY '19-'20 a student intern wrote a report on the University's surplus system and provided recommendations for improvement. The report included research on items that had been surplused including those that were useable but due to lack of a transparent system could not be seen and claimed by others at the university. It also included research on three different online platforms for better managing Surplus. In 2020 recommendations were followed. Another student is interning to set up and roll out the pilot platform. The platform allows University staff to easily browse available items so they can reuse rather than purchase new.

In 2018 ARTS 009 3D Design students designed and built compost bins, benches, tables and potting benches for the Ted & Chris Robb Garden as part of their course. Items were built from a campus redwood that needed to be removed.

In '19-'20 Sustainability student employees created a report on the efficacy of a new, centralized, three-bin waste collection system in the library. The report showed the system to be more effective than the old system and it highlighted which bins had the most contamination. This has informed outreach efforts such as a waste sorting video and having occasional bin monitors.

Students in CIVL 173, Sustainable Engineering (Fall '20) created a green infrastructure design for Anderson Lawn and Khoury Plaza to address water pooling and foot traffic issues. The design day lighted a downspout, created a rainwater garden and created a more convenient path of travel. It was submitted to the EPA Campus RainWorks challenge.

In 2018 Two ASUOP representatives worked with Sustainability and Physical Plant to design and enhance a third space on campus. They learned basic project management skills such as working with stakeholders, assessing locations, managing budgets and clarifying project purpose and scope. As a result of their work an area frequented by students was enhanced with a screened pavilion and outdoor furniture, ADA tables and a water bottle refill station.