| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.82 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | Feb. 20, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
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 | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | --- |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | --- |
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:
UCCS regularly publishes its GHG inventory and web sites and other locations. The Office of Sustainability regularly lectures in class about climate change and UCCS' efforts to reduce our carbon footprint of the campus. This past Campus Sustainability Day, several students in the Office of Sustainability created posters to educate the campus about climate change issues and how UCCS is addressing them.
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:
There are currently 10 buildings on the campus that are LEED Gold. Interactive kiosks in the buildings are used by students to study the different photovoltaic systems on buildings as well as monitor energy use. Graduate work has been done comparing the thin film laminate system to the traditional photovoltaic panels. Students have also done analyses on the solar thermal system used to heat the swimming pool. LUCID screens with websites are used by students to engage in the Campus Conservation Nationals energy competitions.
Date Revised: March 5, 2015
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:
Students in our Health and Nutrition programs frequently partner with our food services operations to educate about local and organic food and the role they play in health and wellness. Dining services has converted to either re-usalbe materials or compostable to-go containers. Shadow boxes in the dining service areas demonstrate where waste goes and the campus community have reacted very positively.
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:
UCCS provides energy data to the campus community on our web site. Students frequently utilize the data to research energy use, provide energy analysis, and develop reports on energy consumption and other issues. With these data, students have been able to examine our energy systems, recommend energy conservation and efficiency projects, and evaluate the efficacy of renewable energy projects.
LCD screens and a website allow campus users to obtain real time energy data and a Lucid system will allow housing residents to compete with each other on lowering their energy use throughout the year and during Campus Conservation Nationals.
Multiple solar installations on the campus have served as an awareness tool and as a subject of research for students.
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:
Students have studied our irrigation systems and have developed and funded proposals to reduce water use utilizing technologies such as a smart clock, which utilizes weather, moisture and other sensors to control and limit, when appropriate, water used for landscaping and grounds.
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:
Examples include a switch to 100% recycle paper as the default in purchase throughout campus offices. An Energy Star Guideline for the campus has increased the appliance that are energy saving. A central procurement services center for the CU system prioritizes sustainability in purchasing contrast which save the campuses money and creates a standard for more sustainable products. This has helped with carpet, cleaning supplies, copiers, and lighting.
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:
As on virtually every college campus, parking and transportation is an issue that concerns students (as well as faculty and staff). Students have researched and proposed several parking and transportation solutions, including but not limited to, and on-campus gondola to transport students, faculty, and staff across our 549 acre campus.
Parking and transportation employ a sustainable transportation intern who created educational material and highlights alternative transportation resources at large events.Some of these include a bike share program, bicycle lockers, a Share the Road program and signage, a U-Carshare vehicle for students to rent.
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 university has a strong recycling program that involves students in all aspects. Students bale collect and bale cardboard and do all of the measurement and accounting for the program. They also do research on recycling and display their findings on the permanent displays on our electric cart. Student collect batteries and small electronics and also account for that. Students have done research and reported on the impacts of changing to large trash compactors to reduce the carbon footprint of multiple pickups with small containers. This will be implemented this year. Students have researched the reusable containers for our dining halls and written a grant for our Green Action Fund. Dining Services is pursuing this.
Date Revised: March 5, 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:
As a result of student research, students have developed and funded projects to install low-flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets. Students are currently researching waterless urinals for our campus in select locations. The Green Action Fund also funded a pilot irrigation system to determine if is would save water. This is signed at the irrigation location to educate those walking by.
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:
Students in our health and nutrition programs utilize the campus infrastructure, including our food service outlets and events, to educate students about local, organic, healthy food, nutrition, and wellness. The students in the program developed the The Flying Carrot, a collaboration between UCCS and the Pikes Peak Community Foundation. The bus bearing its carrot logo travels to schools and sustainability events to promote food literacy off campus.
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:
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:
UCCS is a founding and board member of the regional group, Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future (PASF). Students are involved in this organization and have assisted with outreach and marketing for the organization in an effort to recruit and engage young people in the millennial generation.
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.