| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 40.16 |
| Liaison | Justin Owen |
| Submission Date | April 23, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Weber State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.60 / 4.00 |
Emily
Mead Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
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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 | No |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Other | No |
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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:
Many classes attended the "On Air" engaged learning series for 2013-2014. The series explored the issue of air quality in Utah through panel discussions, film screenings, and guest speakers. In Senior Seminar, students had the option to do a final project focusing on the Engaged Learning Series, "On Air." Students did original research and produced videos on air quality in Utah, entitled "Dean on Red" which encouraged students to walk instead of drive on "red air" days, and "Hey Utah! Stop Idling," which was a video about the dangers and damages to air quality along the Wasatch Front if people idle their cars.
Several classes have written newspaper articles relating to air quality in Northern Utah that were published in the Weber State University Signpost.
A course project related to producing educational materials (videos, pamphlets, lessons, posters) related to air quality issues (transit, idling, health, etc.)
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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:
Weber State University's LEED certified buildings have served as a great resource to illustrate how to implement LEED credits and sustainability in design. Classes have partnered with Facilities Management to help get buildings on campus LEED certified.
Weber State also teaches courses on renewable energy and senior projects have related to the design and installation of renewable energy systems on campus including solar PV and wind systems.
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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:
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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:
Senior projects have related to the design and installation of renewable energy systems on campus including solar PV and wind systems. For example, projects have included the canyon wind power trailer research project and converting maintenance vehicles to electric power.
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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:
Students who took a course focusing on Water Sustainability presented their final research to WSU's Facilities Management department. Their research focused on ways the university can conserve water for landscaping as well as recommendations for educating the WSU community on what the university has already done to conserve water on campus. These recommendations will be used by Facilities Management to further water sustainability and education on campus.
Work on "Discovery Science" trail on campus property, emphasizing ecology and environmental sustainability.
Discussion with interested students about care of the Duck Pond and the geese, ducks who live there and the impact of chemical pollutants on the eco-balance in the pond
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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:
As a class project, students conducted research on the use of water bottles on campus and the attitudes of students regarding plastic water bottles versus tap water. This course emphasized the value of water bottle refill stations over plastic water bottle use and encouraged facilities management to continue installing the refill stations and reduce water bottle usage on campus.
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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:
The debate team has developed Green Standards for the hosting debate tournaments which includes encouraging attendees to NOT rent a car, but instead ride the light rail from the airport to downtown Ogden hotels.
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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:
A class project related to educating the campus about recycling through signage, service learning hours in waste management and recycling, promoting Campus Conservation Nationals, creating an informational exhibit related to water issues, and pamphlet regarding construction and sustainability practices on campus and in the community.
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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:
Bottled water research was conducted fall 2013 as part of a class project. The findings disseminated in 3 different venues on campus. The perspectives and attitudes research was conducted spring 2014 with campus community partners of Facilities Management and the Energy and Sustainability Office. These partners have already begun using the findings from our research to work on better "getting the word out" about water sustainability and what WSU is doing for water sustainability.
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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:
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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:
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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:
A new course on Environmental Neurotoxins and Mental/Central Nervous System disorders addresses how pesticides, air pollution, water pollution, plastics, etc. influence mental/CNS disorders.
A course project related to producing educational materials (videos, pamphlets, lessons, posters) related to air quality issues (transit, idling, health, etc.)
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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:
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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:
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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:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.