| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.21 |
| Liaison | Dave Barbier |
| Submission Date | June 3, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Shelly
Janowski Sustainability Coordinator Facility Services |
Is the institution utilizing the campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in the following areas?:
| Yes or No | |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | Yes |
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Air & Climate and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Office of Sustainability employs students to assist with completing the greenhouse gas inventory. A class in the Sustainable Energy program completed the GHG inventory for 2012 and future plans are for the class to complete future inventories.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students from Student Government are involved with the performance contracting Energy Service Company planning for campus building projects. The student Green Fund that is used for capital projects on campus will work with university staff to plan and implement projects. Students will learn how to develop projects and calculate payback.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Dining Services/Food and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Dining Services works collaboratively with the Student Government Association, Students for Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Agriculture in Communities Society, and the Waste Management Society. There are regularly scheduled trips to local farms and businesses to promote student involvement in the local food marketplace via our Culinary Learning Journeys (CLJs) program. Student workers are working continuously to improve the vegan food choices offered by dining services.
Dietetics students in the Health & Human Development program operate the CPS Cafe and experience all aspects of food service operation and management. The cafe uses green-sustainable practices in operations and serves natural and organic foods sourced from sustainable local farms.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Energy and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The biofuels lab is integral to the interdisciplinary biofuels minor offered at UW-Stevens Point. Students gain foundational knowledge in methods to produce liquid fuels from biomass. In the laboratory, students produce biodiesel and ethanol from biomass. This laboratory and biofuels minor augments students’ education in the fields of biology, biochemistry, natural resources, or paper science and engineering, and positions them for employment in emerging renewable energy fields.
The Office of Sustainability employs a student to run the Campus Conservation National energy competition, which includes entering data into the energy dashboard.
Students are involved with our performance contracting Energy Service Company (ESCO), specifically with installment of an energy dashboard.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Grounds and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Grounds department employs 10 students that help improve and maintain campus grounds, including turf, annual flower beds, and perennial shrub beds. Some high maintenance areas include the baseball field, soccer field, and four football fields.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Purchasing and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Transportation and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Student Government Association worked with their Advisor and the Director of the University Center to contract with Zimride through student fees. Students and staff are able to share rides, thus reducing commuting miles. Students also run a bike rental program.
Students worked with a Geographical Information Systems professor through a grant to develop a commuting survey. The UWSP Sustainable Commute Project is working to estimate UWSP commuting patterns, costs, and emissions while raising awareness and identifying opportunities for change.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Waste and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Students work in the recycling center getting hands-on projects revolving around campus waste.
The University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is home to a state-of-the-art facility that provides students with landfill, wastewater treatment, recycling, composting and hazardous waste management training. The building includes a small-scale wastewater treatment plant.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Coordination, Planning & Governance and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The role of the Student Government Association is to be active participants in the governance of the university, representing the interests of the student body by creating policy working towards the goals of the university as a whole. Student Government Association employs a Environmental & Sustainability Issues Director who manages the Green Fund committee. This planning committee uses funds collected from student fees and allocates which sustainability projects the money will go towards.
There are many faculty/student committees on campus.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Diversity & Affordability and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Health, Wellbeing & Work and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Health & Wellness Department employs Health Advocates who present high-quality workshops in health-related areas for residence halls, clubs, or organizations.
The Health Advocate program is designed to help the student develop an understanding
of: 1) six common health issues facing the student population and 2) effective strategies to address each health issue respectively. Each HA receives specialized training in six major health areas: alcohol, fitness, nutrition, sexual assault, stress, and tobacco. The knowledge and skills gained through the training sessions are applied in workshops and presentations, liaison-organization relationships, assessment projects, and individualized behavior change education sessions. These skills assist them
reaching career goals as well as lifetime goals.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Investment and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Public Engagement and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
The Office of Sustainability employs an outreach specialist to assist with campus and community events. The student reaches out to vendors and campus groups to involve them in events such as Campus Sustainability Day. Students learn marketing and media advertisement skills.
A student is employed with Community Relations Department, with 50% of their job being devoted projects for the Office of Sustainability.
A brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory in Other areas and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
Prior Learning Assessment allows you to receive credit for college-level learning obtained outside the traditional academic setting. Credit is not granted simply for experience, but rather for the learning obtained from the experience. For example, you might be eligible to gain academic credit for prior learning from your past employment, volunteer work, publications, or your participation in seminars, workshops, job-related training programs, or military training programs. The learning is judged to be equivalent to knowledge you would gain through UW-Stevens Point coursework. The university currently offers EDUC 370- Prior Learning Assessment, offered each academic term, where you will be guided by a faculty member to complete a portfolio which demonstrates the learning experiences you have for courses you wish to receive credit.
The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.