Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 61.36
Liaison Elizabeth Swiman
Submission Date Jan. 30, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Florida State University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Elizabeth Swiman
Director of Campus Sustainability
Facilities
"---" 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 No
Buildings Yes
Dining Services/Food Yes
Energy Yes
Grounds Yes
Purchasing No
Transportation Yes
Waste Yes
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance No
Diversity & Affordability No
Health, Wellbeing & Work No
Investment Yes
Public Engagement Yes
Other Yes

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:

n/a


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 graduate student observed patterns of student occupancy and estimated when students are more likely to be working in a particular building. Results indicated that building operators may be able to adjust the lighting and HVAC systems to reduce wasted energy.

A small group of students (Sustainability Fellows) developed a proposal for a green roof system atop the Oglesby Union complex.


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:

Living Green: Theory to Action (Honors seminar) students prepared posters on various food-related issues (pesticides, labeling, local, organic, etc) and hosted an open house for the campus community. Over 125 people attend the event, and many visitors were as surprised to learn from the posters as the students were when uncovering the information in making them.


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 a Geography/Urban & Regional Planning GIS course analyzed solar radiation exposure on campus rooftops and the utilized imaging software to create a 3-D model of the campus and determine the feasibility of installing solar panels on the tops of 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:

Botany students utilized the campus grounds to learn GIS mapping and plant identification techniques. The resulting campus tree map included information on diameter, estimated height, and location coordinates.


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:

n/a


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:

Urban & Regional Planning capstone students developed an analysis and proposal of recommendations on current and future bicycle and pedestrian conditions on campus. Results of this study are being incorporated into a new Transportation Master Plan.


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:

Students in a Green Living: Theory to Action honors course researched cost-effective replacements for Styrofoam that could be used in the dining halls, and proposed a plan, similar to library book loans, for use of the eco-clamshells Although it took several years to enact, this program is now in place in the FSU campus dining halls.


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:

Living Green: Theory to Action students developed an EPA Rainworks Challenge proposal to address flooding issues in our campus Union. The proposed rain garden will be considered as Facilities addresses any renovations to the site.


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:

n/a


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:

n/a


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:

n/a


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:

Enactus (to enable progress through entrepreneurial action), is an international nonprofit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Participating students form teams on their university campuses and apply business concepts to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to present the results of their projects, and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. In addition to the community aspect of the program, Enactus' leadership and career initiatives create meaningful opportunities for learning and exchange among the participants as well as the placement of students and alumni with companies in search of emerging talent.

The Florida State University Student Investment Fund (SIF) is a real-world investment fund managed by Florida State undergraduate and graduate finance students. The fund was created in 2008 through private donations and generous investments from the Florida State Foundation. In 2013, the College of Business introduced a dedicated trading room that is used by the SIF student managers. Managing the SIF provides students with real-world experience implementing investment selection and money management principles. Students are provided the opportunity to attain practical knowledge and experience that reaches far beyond typical coursework. Ultimately, the student fund managers acquire a deeper and more complex understanding of the concepts taught throughout their undergraduate and graduate finance studies.


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:

Through FSU’s Service Learning program, students are exposed to experiential education that combines classroom instruction with organized service to the community, emphasizing civic engagement, reflection, and application of learning. Service-learning includes academic preparation, service that meets an identified community need, and structured reflection. A service-learning experience can enhance learning and development, encourage civic responsibility, foster community-based scholarship, provide a forum for leadership development, and address social issues.


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:

Education & Awareness:
Social Marketing students develop campaigns on various sustainability topics to increase pro-environmental behaviors on campus. Concepts from the campaigns are utilized through by the Sustainable Campus program.


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.