Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.06
Liaison Meredith Moore
Submission Date March 17, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.20 / 4.00 Stephanie Lage
Assistant Director
Ctr for Sustainable Environment
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 ---
Buildings Yes
Dining Services/Food Yes
Energy Yes
Grounds Yes
Purchasing ---
Transportation Yes
Waste Yes
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance Yes
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---
Public Engagement ---
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:
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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 recent student project evaluated the possibility of introducing a class to provide students with hands-on experience with the LEED rating system. The students would identify the potential of a building to achieve the LEED Existing Building Operations & Maintenance, and recommend actions necessary.


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:

Dining Services procures as much produce as the Sustainable Student Farm can produce. Student volunteers work at the farm planting, weeding and harvesting, gaining an enhanced appreciation of the benefits of local foods.


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:

A new project based learning class in civil engineering provides students to examine and evaluate facility projects on campus. One project last fall was "Powering Up E-14 - Solar". A project that evaluated the feasibility of installing a solar canopy above one of the larges parking lots on 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:

Over the past few years, several students have worked with Grounds in the installation of native plants. They have done the hard work to establish a large size prairie near the President's house and several other plantings using native species. They are learning the benefits of native plants, ie reduced irrigation, weeding, and biodiversity.


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:
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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:

A recent student honors project focused on the efficacy of a new crosswalk near the Business Instructional Facility. She collected surveys from pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and mass transit employees. He final report discusses convenience, safety and awareness.


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:

Last year, two different Recyclemania events were undertaken with the support of hundreds of student volunteers. Students learned what types of recyclables were accepted at our Waste Transfer Station, and engaged with fans at two very large sporting events to encourage recycling.


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 student team worked on a project entitled "Economic and Environmental Benefits of Implementing Low-Flow Toilets in UIUC Buildings".


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:

The Student Sustainability Committee is an excellent way for students to gain experience in coordination, planning, and governance. The student's must apply to the committee and participate in an interview before being selected to serve. The student's elect officers and appoint subcommittees. This committee coordinates an annual request for proposals, and student members prepare critical analyses of the proposals received. During their committee meetings, they follow Robert's Rules to run their meetings and vote on proposals.


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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.