| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.31 |
| Liaison | Jamila Aghrili |
| Submission Date | June 1, 2022 |
Western Caspian University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
A collaborative student and staff initiative, Partners Allied in Civic Engagement (PACE) envisions and implements strategies and programming to increase civic engagement at Baku, Azerbaijan. PACE coordinates direct service and philanthropic opportunities, organizes programming and annual events, and develops a network of student leaders committed to civic engagement.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
N/A
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
This produces insights into how pollution travels from point sources and through neighborhoods. These data are used by faculty and students for their research and learning, providing real-world insights into campus and regional air quality.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Ongoing indoor air quality and thermal comfort studies; the testing and performance assessment of high-performance/low impact building conditioning technology such concentrating solar technology support absorption cooling, radiant cooling with desiccant dehumidification, and underfloor air systems; the development of phone-based controls for lighting, shading devices and ventilation; and the evaluation of a host of other occupant-focused sustainable building strategies are constantly occurring here.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Students who work with the data or take courses where these data are used gain valuable insights into building energy consumption drivers and patterns, and ways to reduce total energy and demand profiles.
WCU's Facility Management Services department often provide students and faculty with an increasing array of data from campus buildings, including detailed operational profiles of mechanical equipment in newer buildings. This supports exploration of current building/equipment performance as a part of coursework and research.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
The first-year writing course, Writing About Public Problems, asks students to write a proposal to remedy a perceived problem. Many students choose to write about campus-issues. Recently, proposals have focused on proposing solutions related to carryout containers used by campus dining locations. Students learned about challenges related to food waste collection, which informed the ideas and solutions they proposed. Some students turned their proposals into action and are collaborating with dining staff to develop improved signage for waste collection bins.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
The first-year writing course, Writing About Public Problems, asks students to write a proposal to remedy a perceived problem. Many students choose to write about campus-issues. Recently, proposals have focused on proposing solutions related to waste reduction and collection on WCU's campus. Students learned about the challenges and processes for campus waste collection and used this real-world information to inform the ideas and solutions they proposed.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Engineered terrains, dry wells, pervious pavement, a retention pond, and bio-swales to manage storm water. Some of these projects were designed and built by students and include monitoring equipment available for students to use for research and scholarship.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
N/A
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
The Center Fellowship program cultivates skills in undergraduate students, also known as Fellows, with a passion and commitment to identity work as it relates to socially and historically minoritized populations. Through this passion, Fellows will work to advance social justice and the mission of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion across the university. The Fellowship will equip Fellows with leadership frameworks, social supports, and community connections to further enhance their leadership capabilities. Through reflection, facilitated dialogue, and collaboration, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion will cultivate Fellows as campus leaders committed to a student experience rooted in inclusion and equity. Policy on Discrimination Harassment and Workplacehttps://wcu.edu.az/en/page/western-caspian-universitys-policy-on-discrimination-harassment-and-workplace and Gender Equality on Policy: https://wcu.edu.az/en/page/qerbi-kaspi-universitetin-gender-berabeliyi-siyaseti
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
N/A
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
N/A
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program 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.