| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.16 |
| Liaison | Elaine Durr |
| Submission Date | Nov. 9, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Elon University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Elaine
Durr Senior Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
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 | No |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | No |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Other | No |
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:
A student intern collected and analyzed data for the annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory. She learned about the components of and process for conducting an emissions inventory and contributed toward the university's carbon neutrality goal.
Another student intern researched and developed carbon impact metrics that will be used to help campus community members understand the impact of their behaviors. She honed her research and quantitative skills and learned about the complexity of communicating carbon data.
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:
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:
A student conducted a small exploratory research study into the barriers of following a vegetarian and vegan diet on campus. The results were shared with key administrators and provided student insight on a topic of growing interest. Some of the barriers have been addressed; while additional review and study is needed for others.
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:
An engineering student built a small trailer with solar photovoltaic panels attached and a rechargeable battery pack. The trailer provides a small-scale demonstration of how solar PV works and allows students to study the conditions for optimal electricity production. The trailer will also be available to provide power for small outdoor events reducing the use of fossil fuel based energy.
Another student used energy modeling based on an actual campus building to compare energy savings for multiple factors. Her work provides data on some of the most effective construction and design components for decreasing energy use and thus informs design and construction elements of new buildings.
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:
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:
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:
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 student intern assessed student attitudes toward composting in a residential setting and one dining location. She designed and implemented a pilot program for students to manage compost collection in their residence hall and completed documents outlining the steps of managing compost collection. This will help future students gain access to compost collection in their residence hall.
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:
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:
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:
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:
In fall 2014 the Office of Student Health and Wellness served as an internship site for an undergraduate student in Human Services. The student worked full time for eight weeks and engaged in benchmarking research around mental health delivery systems on college campuses. She also served as the principal planner around Healthy Monday events on sleep, stress, hand washing hygiene, flu prevention and holiday nutrition. As a result of her work, the University plans to incorporate an online metal health assessment and a peer counselor program on campus.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.