| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.70 |
| Liaison | Marianne Martin |
| Submission Date | Sept. 22, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Colorado Boulder
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Lisa
Barlow Senior Instructor Baker-Environmental Residential Academic Program |
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 | No |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | No |
| Public Engagement | No |
| 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:
ENVS 3001 (2012)
The purpose of this case study is to analyze CU’s Fleet online database with the intention of gaining insight into reducing CU’s petroleum usage to the targeted amount of 81,474 gallons by the year 2015. This goal also complements CU’s Conceptual Plan for Carbon Neutrality, which has the ongoing goal of reducing CU’s Greenhouse gas emissions.
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:
Williams Village North LEED Platinum residence hall
CU-Boulder’s newest residence hall, Williams Village North, welcomed students this fall for the first time, many of whom will be learning about the building’s sustainable design through two Residential Academic Programs (RAPs) that are housed in the residence hall. The building includes CU's first grey water system, optimal daylightling, xeric and native plant gardens, and also houses complementary Academic Programs in engineering and social entrepreneurship.
http://www.colorado.edu/news/features/residence-hall-helps-students-gain-understanding-sustainable-design#sthash.mIkD2Eri.dpuf
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:
ENVS 3001 (2011-1)
Dining Services has set goals for the percentage of food served at the University of Colorado at boulder that meets the definitions of being organic, local and “natural.” This project aimed to define “natural for CU’s Dining Services in order to provide the institution with the information and tools to allow a healthier lifestyle for students while decreasing the overall footprint.
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:
ENVS 3001 (2011-3)
In the Fall of 2011, Duane Tucker, Moe Tabrizi, Curt Huetson, and Kristin Epley met with Dr. Lisa Barlow and requested that a team from her service-learning class, Sustainable Solutions Consulting (ENVS 3001) research the status of printing on the CU campus, particularly with an eye towards potential for elimination for desk-side devices made redundant by MFD’s. Because the class is focused on sustainability, research includes the embedded socio-environmental burden of paper, toner ink, energy consumption, manufacture, as well as print behavior on the campus.
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:
ENVS 3001 (2013)
At the request of Robin Margolin and Matt Ribarich, a team from ENVS 3001 conducted research and assessed current durable ware, compostable waste, and re-usable to-go containers through a lifecycle analysis and cost comparison. Their results can inform not only CUSG and UMC Food Service, but also other entities on the CU Campus.
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:
ENVS 3001 (2012)
The Sustainable Solutions Consulting class of 2012’s mission is to research and recommend strategies to reduce petroleum consumption in the University of Colorado Boulder campus fleet vehicles. This includes a Right Sizing survey administered to Facilities Management staff in order to gain a better understanding of vehicle use and potential areas for right-sizing. The right-sizing survey will help determine the appropriate or optimal number of vehicles.
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:
ENVS 3001 (2013)
Landfill diversion among other reduction goals found in the sustainability plan were adopted and then expanded in CU Boulder’s Conceptual Plan for Carbon Neutrality. Because of the missed diversion target for 2012 of 75%, Matt Ribarich and Robin Margolin requested assistance from students in ENVS 3001 to evaluate the current program and make progress toward CUSG’s 90% waste diversion goal for 2015.
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:
ENVS 3001 (2011-3)
The purpose of this study was to conduct a thorough review and assessment of the life cycle of ink and toner print cartridges to identify areas for CU Boulder to improve printing of cartridges, which includes the amount of waste water from each stage of production.
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:
ENVS 3001 (2011-3)
The purpose of this study was to conduct a thorough review and assessment of the life cycle of ink and toner print cartridges to identify areas for CU Boulder to improve printing of cartridges, including a study conducted on the health effects of production and disposal of cartridge components, and a recommendation for socially responsible purchasing.
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:
N/A
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:
N/A
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:
(Behavior) ENVS 3001 (2013)
The Sustainable Consulting Class of 2013 was asked by Matt Ribarich and Robin Margolin to evaluate the current zero waste program, and make recommendations for improvement. This included a behavior team, focusing specifically on consumer choice for compostable or reusable dining ware, and consumer disposal techniques.
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:
URL's are listed in each description field.
Although the same course number is listed for almost every area, individual students or student groups conducted research and submitted reports on varying topics encompassed by this credit.
URL's are listed in each description field.
Although the same course number is listed for almost every area, individual students or student groups conducted research and submitted reports on varying topics encompassed by this credit.
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.