| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.07 |
| Liaison | Janna Cohen-Rosenthal |
| Submission Date | July 3, 2023 |
University of Massachusetts Boston
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.80 / 4.00 |
Dennis
Swinford Director of Campus Planning & Sustainability Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
UMass Boston's Professional Apprentice Career Experience (PACE) allows students to have hands-on experience in a variety of areas, many related to sustainability. In the Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability, there is a PACE apprentice working on campus engagement activities. Students are required to complete an eight-week, one-credit course titled "PACE Success" during their first semester of the program.
As of Fall 2023 a task force is being created to expand this opportunity past the 1-2 PACE students the office can supervise to be more integrated into other opportunities.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
Program 1:
UMass Boston is partnered with the Stone Living Lab, a research foundation aiming to increase coastal resilience, climate adaptation, and ecological restoration in the Boston Harbor Islands State Park and outdoor spaces at UMass Boston. The campus provides Lab and classroom space to complement field research and programming and provides dock space and research vessels to transport researchers, partners, and scientific equipment. The UMass Boston campus is also the site of some of the Lab’s first pilot projects. Volunteer and internship opportunities are available for students interested in gaining research skills by collaborating on an existing project with UMass researchers.
The Stone Living Lab aims to engage the larger community by including students, civic organizations and advocates to co-develop sustainable solutions and develop climate-resilient communities. The lab engages the public through events, educational programs, and workshops.
Program 2:
"The Sustainable Solutions Lab, or SSL, at UMass Boston is a collaborative research and action institute focused on keeping historically excluded people and communities safe and healthy as our climate changes." Students in SSL have participated in research for the following topics related to sustainability in the Boston area:
- Resilience planning and how the climate crisis will impact the housing crisis in East Boston
- Birth outcomes for individuals living in environmental justice communities in Boston
- Heat adaptation needs for BIPOC and low-income residents in Dorchester
- Racial inequities in waterfront development policies and climate adaption planning in Boston
As of Fall 2023, a new task force is being created to expand these opportunities to grounds and other topics.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
The Nantucket Field Station, one of the facilities of UMass Boston's School for the Environment, is a 107-acre field site of pristine salt marsh, rolling uplands, and harbor waterfront which provides education, research, and community service. We are a world-class research and educational institution and a deeply engaged member of the Nantucket community.
Each summer, UMass Boston offers several field courses from late May through August. These courses feature fieldwork that allows participants to use the island’s natural and cultural resources to investigate classroom topics. Courses offered explore many fields of study, including history, coastal mapping, marine biology, ecology, and more.
Students are also able to participate in internships or conduct research for an independent study course on the Nantucket Field station. While there have been many research topics over the year, the field station is currently funding research for general biodiversity, climate change and island resiliency.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
In addition, the Campus Planning & Sustainability Office partners with the Chancellor's Sustainability Committee to assist faculty members in sustainability-related research, for instance, related to the recent Energy & Carbon master plan. In the fall of 2023 Prof. David Timmons in the economics department is conducting research with students to transition cooking facilities from gas to electricity.
As of Fall 2023, a new task force is being created to expand these opportunities to grounds and other topics.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
UMass Boston's Professional Apprentice Career Experience (PACE) allows students to have hands-on experience in a variety of areas, many related to sustainability. Specifically, Dining Services (Sodexo) has a PACE Intern working as a sustainability intern. This student works on projects such as social media campaign to limit food waste on campus, and promote composting with Lomi Countertop composters. Students are required to complete an eight-week, one-credit course titled, "PACE Success" during their first semester of the program.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
A professor in the Department of Economics has students each semester work on a project about sustainable transportation. Most recently, students have completed a cost/benefits analysis for converting our campus fleet to electric vehicles, as well as a cost analysis of transitioning to a public transit pass for all students. For enriched learning experiences for the students, these projects are completed using real data and information from the Office of Transportation here at UMass Boston.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
There are many courses taught through the School for the Environment that utilize the HarborWalk and the Boston Harbor waterfront to educate about sustainability as it relates to water. One course, ENVSCI 185GL The Urban Ocean taught by Sara Bistany focuses on sustainability as it relates to the Boston Harbor and includes field-trips around the harbor. Students also conduct a final research project on impacts experienced by local communities, the natural environment, and UMB.
(https://www.umb.edu/course_catalog/course_info/ugrd_ENVSCI_all_185GL)
Another course is ENVSCI 121 Intro to Environmental Science Lab. Students apply research, lab, and data analysis skills while attending a Boston Harbor cruise.
(https://www.umb.edu/course_catalog/course_info/ugrd_ENVSCI_all_121)
Professor Lucy Lockwood engages students in the ENVSCI 261 Statistics for Environmental Science course to participate in the Coastal Ecology Lab outside of class. Students get to participate in data collection and field sampling around the harbor. This is a professional development and educational opportunity for students interested in field work and marine science. Student can also receive additional experience using R software.
https://courses.umb.edu/course_catalog/course_info/ugrd_envsci_all_261
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UMass Boston aims to increase the living lab opportunities to involve more students, faculty, and staff by forming a Living Lab task force.
In utilize the campus and our climate planning process to inspire students who are able to create institutional change in their own careers.
UMass Boston aims to increase the living lab opportunities to involve more students, faculty, and staff by forming a Living Lab task force.
In utilize the campus and our climate planning process to inspire students who are able to create institutional change in their own careers.
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.