Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.60
Liaison Jane Stewart
Submission Date March 6, 2020

STARS v2.2

Washington and Lee University
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 4.00 Kimberly Hodge
Director of Sustainability Initiatives and Education
Student Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research?:
No

A brief description of the student sustainability research program:

The Offices of Sustainability and Energy Education routinely assist students with their research projects. We generally work with at least three senior capstone students every year. Projects have included a feasibility study into biofuels, institution-supported solar home procurement, an analysis of a conflict surrounding a local natural preserve, and financing options for alternative energy projects. We also assist regularly with smaller research projects associated with coursework, such as making a business case for compostable solo cups.


Does the institution have a program to encourage academic staff from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research?:
No

A brief description of the faculty sustainability research program:
---

Has the institution published written policies and procedures that give positive recognition to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research during faculty promotion and/or tenure decisions?:
Yes

A copy of the promotion or tenure guidelines or policies:
---

The promotion or tenure guidelines or policies:

In the Advisory Committee Guidance for the Departmental Faculty Development Documents, under SCHOLARLY, ARTISTIC, AND PROFESSIONAL WORK, the following questions are considered when evaluating promotion and/or tenure decisions:

How do we value interdisciplinary work? Do we value collaboration within or outside our department, university, or primary field? Does the area of specialty matter?


Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research:

Through research-oriented materials acquisition and teaching activities, the University Library supports the formal curriculum and research of the Environmental Studies program, as well as the activities of W&L’s Sustainability initiatives. We have area-specific librarians dedicated to areas such as STEM, environmental studies, and economics.


Website URL where information about the institution’s support for sustainability research is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

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.