| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 42.88 |
| Liaison | Jim Simon |
| Submission Date | June 28, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Gonzaga University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Jim
Simon Director of Sustainability 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 | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | No |
| 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:
Students have participated in the development of Gonzaga's Climate Action Plan as well as greenhouse gas emissions planning in the City of Spokane. The positive outcomes of this work include an approved Climate Action Plan for Gonzaga, and a strengthened relationship with the City of Spokane.
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 a School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Senior Design Project helped develop a building dashboard tool that connected into our Automated Logic system. Their work inspired our investment in the Lucid Building Dashboard, which we continue to use today.
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:
BIOL 367, Entomology, went to the Campus Kitchen garden to observe insects and vegetables & consider their interactions. Additionally, a soils class tested and analyzed the soil at the Faber Campus Garden.
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 School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Senior Design Project helped develop a building dashboard tool that connected into our Automated Logic system. Their work inspired our investment in the Lucid Building Dashboard, which we continue to use today.
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:
BIOL 105L, Phage Discovery Laboratory, takes soil samples from campus to look at phage diversity
BIOL 199, Biological Concepts, looked at fungi from leaves (on and off plants) on campus
BIO 206, Ecology, Uses Lake Arthur to study different depths of the Lake to determine how much algae growth and determine water quality.
BIOL 360, Plant Biology, studied trees and flowers on campus
BIOL 367, Entomology , went to the Campus Kitchen garden to observe insects and vegetables & consider their interactions.
BIOL 371L, Vertebrate Biology & Anatomy Lab, made observations of birds at feeders on campus
UNIV 104, University Pathways: Dr. Julie Beckstead's section went outdoors on campus to generate biological questions
BIOL 123L / ENVS 103L (Human Ecology Laboratory) class examines Lake Arthur's water quality.
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:
An Environmental Sociology course project analyzed the effectiveness of the first year of the bus pass program at Gonzaga amongst students.
An ongoing School of Engineering Senior Design Project is assisting the City of Spokane with the plans to redo Sharp Avenue, just north of campus.
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 brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Water and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
BIOL 123L / ENVS 103L (Human Ecology Laboratory) class examines Lake Arthur's water quality.
BIO 206, Ecology, Uses Lake Arthur to determine different algae blooms and water quality.
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:
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:
Work has been done by faculty member Dr. Brian Henning at the request of President Thayne McCulloh, in the fall of 2015, to create a white paper that focuses on Socially Responsible Investment and Environmental, Social, and Governance. This white paper has been shared with the Board of Trustees. Student involvement in the process has increased. A group called Fossil Free Gonzaga works to encourage the Board of Trustees to divest from fossil fuels.
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:
ENVS 499, Environmental Symposium, the senior class comes up with a project that relates to an environmental issue in the Spokane Community. The class of 2016 offered a variety of presentations to the community and to the Audubon Society with a focus on a river restoration plan for the Spokane River.
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:
BIOL 371L, Vertebrate Biology & Anatomy Lab, made observations of birds at feeders on campus to determine the varying times during which birds migrate to Spokane.
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.