| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.82 |
| Liaison | Eric Boles |
| Submission Date | Feb. 12, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Arkansas
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.20 / 4.00 |
Carlos
Ochoa Director Office for 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 | No |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | No |
| Investment | Yes |
| 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:
Students in the Public Administration program worked with university and city officials in addressing planning and policy issues around sustainability. For example, one project looked into ways to reduce parking congestion on and around campus. This project utilized an economic benefit/cost analysis to examine the most suited programs and any necessary city subsidies to serve such purposes in the context of the the University of Arkansas and City of Fayetteville.
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 worker was employed by Chartwells, our food service provider, to engage in sustainability reporting for their local operations. This student worker also provided sustainability reports to the Office for Sustainability for AASHE STARS reporting. Positive outcomes will be a set of recommendations to reduce waste in dining halls.
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:
The Office for Sustainability manages a modest Green Revolving Fund. This fund is accessible to all students, staff and faculty who submit projects that demonstrate a positive return on investment. This project teaches applicants about sustainable investment strategies that reduce carbon and operational costs. While we are in the first year of our funds, we anticipate awarding nearly $8,000 in funds for lighting upgrades.
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:
In the Spring of 2014, the Office for Sustainability patterned with the Department of Entomology to create an integrated pest management plan for the UA campus. This plan was formally adopted by the Executive Board of Directors. The plan was crafted by a professor and by a student.
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:
The University of Arkansas students have engaged in several research programs related to transportation. In 2013 and 2014, a student in the Sustainability Minor have researched both the true cost of ownership for diesel and electric vehicles including the carbon impact during the lifecycle of these buses. Additionally, a group of students from the Computer Engineering department are conducting research on RFID technology and inventive projects for campus cycling commuters.
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:
The Office for Sustainability manages an internship program whose focus in the Summer of 2014 was waste assessment. Several interns engaged in waste audits and analysis and made recommendations to several campus entities on strategies for reducing waste. The positive outcomes of this effort was a highly educated and capable group of interns who could act as waste consultants to organizations. Additionally, the organizations who underwent the waste audits now have a better understanding of their waste profile and are equipped with a list of recommendations to minimize their waste.
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 team of chemical engineering, communications and Honors College students at the University of Arkansas – collectively known as the Water Hogs – entered their design project in the Environmental Protection Agency’s People, Prosperity and the Planet, or P3, competition. The Water Hogs received the American Society of Civil Engineers Sustainable Development Award.
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:
Students in the Public Administration program worked with university and city officials in addressing planning and policy issues around sustainability. For example, one project looked into ways to reduce parking congestion on and around campus. This project utilized an economic benefit/cost analysis to examine the most suited programs and any necessary city subsidies to serve such purposes in the context of the the University of Arkansas and City of Fayetteville.
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:
The Office for Sustainability manages a modest Green Revolving Fund. This fund is accessible to all students, staff and faculty who submit projects that demonstrate a positive return on investment. This project teaches applicants about sustainable investment strategies that reduce carbon and operational costs. While we are in the first year of our funds, we anticipate awarding nearly $8,000 in funds for lighting upgrades.
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.