Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.19
Liaison Christina Erickson
Submission Date June 6, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Champlain College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Christina Erickson
Sustainability Director
Campus Planning
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 Yes
Transportation Yes
Waste Yes
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work Yes
Investment Yes
Public Engagement ---
Other ---

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:

Students in Corporate Social Responsiblity (Fall 2015) developed a project proposal to increase the amount of trees on and off-campus to increase carbon sequestion and offset student study abroad travel.


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 in Corporate Social Responsiblity (Spring 2016) developed a project proposal for getting more student input into the renovation prioritization process for Victorian era res halls, especially focusing on thermal and window improvements.


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:

Students in Environmental Policy courses laid the groundwork for Champlain to become a Fair Trade Campus. A student employee then completed the process. www.champlain.edu/fairtrade

The Champlain Apiary was established in the Spring of 2013 to provide experiential learning opportunities for our students and community members and to support the college's commitment to sustainability. This living laboratory gives us a window into the fascinating lives of a uniquely social organism that teaches us about the intricacies of group decision-making, communication and community.In addition to experiencing the bees through their biology and role in the ecosystem, bee products (honey, wax, pollen, propolis, even the bees themselves) provide a unique opportunity for students in business and marketing to create a profitable endeavor out of the apiary. The honey produced by our bees is bottled and marketed by our students, and all proceeds benefit the educational mission and material support of the apiary. http://www.champlain.edu/student-life/campus-and-community-programs/sustain-champlain/programs-sustain-champlain/champlain-apiary


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:

Students in Corporate Social Responsibility classes (Spring 2016) have analyzed energy usage of campus buildings to calcuate the savings that various efficiency programs could have (lighting upgrades, occupancy sensors, etc.)


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:

Foundations of Ecology class projects - annual stormwater management maintenance on the constructed wetland behind Perry Hall; conducted campus tree inventory (2012-2014)

Environmental Policy Senior Capstone Project on rain garden design for the campus (2014).

Environmental Earth Science classes (Spring 2016) conducted a watershed-friendly assessment of all campus buildings and grounds.


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:

Students in Environmental Policy courses laid the groundwork for becoming a Fair Trade Campus. A student employee then completed the process. www.champlain.edu/fairtrade

Students in an Environmental Policy class are studying about conflict-free campuses and working with our Information Services department regarding ethical electronics purchasing for the college. (2014-2016) Signed policy anticipated in May 2016.


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:

Environmental Earth Science classes have worked on an anti-idling policy for the campus (2014) and bicycle infrastructure usage data collection (2015).


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:

Sustainability office hosts an annual internship that focuses on waste reduction and diversion systems for the campus.

Senior Graphic Design capstone designed our current "Sort it Out" logo (2012)


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:

Environmental Earth Science classes (Spring 2016) conducted a watershed-friendly assessment of all campus buildings and grounds.

Documentary Film students (Spring 2016) created a film about the impacts of salt, using campus footage and faculty https://youtu.be/X_Ps8ANeKZg


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:

Students in Corporate Social Responsiblity (Spring 2016) developed a project proposal to create more student wellbeing spaces (or better advertise existing opportunities).


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:

Environmental policy class (Ecological Economics) studied the divestment movement and has started initial conversations with the Finance Office at Champlain.


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:

Students in Corporate Social Responsiblity (Fall 2015) developed a project proposal to create an awareness campaign about the importance of bees, and more particular awareness of our campus Apiary. This project received funding and resulted in several blog posts, posters, and a campus event with a film screening.


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:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Each semester the Sustainability Director sends a list of possible campus projects to faculty to use for class or individual projects, internships, etc. See link for the list of possible projects:

http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/Sustain-Champlain/PotentialStudentProjects_ SustainChamplain.pdf


Each semester the Sustainability Director sends a list of possible campus projects to faculty to use for class or individual projects, internships, etc. See link for the list of possible projects:

http://www.champlain.edu/Documents/Sustain-Champlain/PotentialStudentProjects_ SustainChamplain.pdf

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