Ringling College of Art and Design
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Given our coastal location we have faculty and students working on projects with the city regarding climate change implications. Our students are also involved in habitat restoration projects for shellfish and mangrove. We have a green roof and have been involved in local policy development to have green roofs incorporated into storm water mitigation.

The President of the College has created a policy that all new construction will be done to LEED standards. We have also created a course in Environmental Studies that focuses on creating learning spaces that has been and can be offered simultaneously with new construction projects to allow the student to study and engage in the process.

We created a course "21st Century Learning Spaces" as a means by which our students could actively engage with architectural firms designing the Goldstein Hall dormitory and an Academic Center. Using LEED as a base, students researched the USGBC criteria as it is applied to learning spaces and the overall building design. The students were most insistent that solar be included in the energy component of the buildings. Using the research they did on modern classroom design, the students also wanted to maximize the use of natural light. The architectural firm did specific presentations to the class looking for feedback, but also came to class for informal discussions on design elements. The research done by the students and its support materials was presented to the architectural firm and incorporated in the process of generating the final building designs.

While food services are contracted out by the College, the provider is increasing the percentage of composting that they are doing. Sarasota has a strong focus on local food and heritage seafood, community gardens, neighborhood composting, vertical and hydroponic farming and these opportunities are integrated into the Food-Fuel-Future course i Environmental Studies as well as being a component of volunteer and community projects through Student Life.

Students were involved in altering the campus's recycling program to the new single stream waste management system. We also have a group of students who have started an offsite composting system for students and neighbors of the community. The compost is then used at one of the local community gardens.

Working with the Gulf Coast Construction Fund, our students have designed and built models of the local water shed to help the general public better understand water management.
Working with the City and the County, faculty have been involved in developing water budget models for different developments to assist more efficient and effective methods of reducing water use while improving water quality. We have faculty who are actively engaged in research on Sarasota Bay regarding storm-water pollution, harmful algae blooms, reducing nutrient load and habitat restoration.

This past semester two classes developed an art installation project on potential projected sea level rise and installed the installation at two public beaches (Lido beach and Siesta Key beach). They engaged beach goers in a discussion on the implications of sea level rise on our natural resources, water supply and beach based tourist economy.
Two other classes are currently designing an exhibit on understanding climate change to be on display at Sarasota Audubon Headquarters.
Two of the faculty have written a book on climate change and ways to mitigate/reduce GHG emissions. They currently are giving public lectures to community groups on local adaptation strategies. The material has also been presented to NASA and to the EPA at the request of NASA and the EPA.

Through course work, collaboratory opportunities and student life projects/programs the students are highly involved in community and Public engagement projects.