Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.14
Liaison Jeff Spoelstra
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Western Michigan University
AC-10: Support for Research

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Sarah Pratt
Senior Research Program Officer
OVPR
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student Sustainability Research Incentives 

Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability? :
Yes

A brief description of the student research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The Student Sustainability Grant (up to $75,000 annually) is available to all students who pay the sustainability fee. Any proposal that promotes a campus culture of sustainability and potentially benefits all students is eligible. Proposals must be safe, legal, adequately budgeted, and possible within existing university infrastructure to qualify. Selection is through a blind-review process by student peers. Gibbs House Fellowships are year-long opportunities open to all students who pay the sustainability fee. Fellows participate in leadership and discovery-driven learning opportunities and are paid to research and work on campus sustainability projects and policies. Wesustain Internships are year-long opportunities open to all students who pay the sustainability fee. Interns participate in leadership and discovery-driven learning opportunities and are paid to research and work on campus sustainability projects and policies.

Faculty Sustainability Research Incentives 

Does the institution have a program to encourage faculty from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct research in sustainability topics?:
Yes

A brief description of the faculty research program, including the incentives provided and any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The Georgeau COnstruction Research Institute sponsors and promotes faculty research in the following areas: Advanced Construction Methods Smart and Innovative Construction Materials Resilient Structural Systems Sustainable and Green Design of Structures Energy Consumption and Renewable Energy Smart Buildings and Structures Safety Processes and Equipment Asset Management (operation and maintenance) and Life-Cycle Analysis More research themes can be proposed by partners based on emerging issues or needs.

Recognition of Inter-, Trans- and Multi-Disciplinary Research 

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?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s support for interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
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Library Support

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, including any positive outcomes during the previous three years:
The University Libraries have maintained numerous sustainability related research guides, and have policies/practices for the acquisition of materials related to sustainability. Much of the content is informed by the needs in Environmental Studies and by other interdisciplinary resources that provide content in this domain, such as business, science, etc. The libraries maintain numerous curricular and research guides related to sustainability, which illustrate some of the materials. WMU also maintains a subject librarian assigned to this area who actively purchases materials as part of our collection development guidelines. Subject Guide: Environmental and Sustainability Studies http://libguides.wmich.edu/environ Assignment Guide: ENVS 1100 - Flint Water Crisis http://libguides.wmich.edu/ENVS1100-Flint Assignment Guide: ENVS 1100 – Kalamazoo River Oil Spill http://libguides.wmich.edu/ENVS1100 Course Guide: ENVS 3000 – Introduction to Sustainability http://libguides.wmich.edu/ENVS3000 Subject Guide: Business Sustainability http://libguides.wmich.edu/c.php?g=40116&p=6246729 https://libguides.wmich.edu/ENVS3600 https://libguides.wmich.edu/ENVS1100

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
.zip file contains RFP supporting info under "faculty sustainability research incentives"

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.