| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.58 |
| Liaison | Steve Mital |
| Submission Date | May 18, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Oregon
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Steve
Mital Office of Sustainability Director Finance & Administration |
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 | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| 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:
A graduate student in the office of sustainability conducted project evaluating the carbon emissions associated with travel conducted by University of Oregon departments. The research was then used by the Environmental Issues Committee to make a recommendation to the Vice President for Finance and Administration to implent an internal carbon tax.
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:
The Energy Studies in Building Laboratory consulting work on the payback for efficiency projects for Campus Operations. A positive outcome of this work is that the university is able to strategically invest limited resources.
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:
Project Tomato is an immersive local food experience in which students camp on farmland, spend time with farmers in their fields, and join the UO Urban Farm crew in the annual tomato harvest on campus, which they will cook into pizza sauce in one of the University of Oregon's dining hall's central kitchen. The pizza is served in the dining common.
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 graduate student in the Office of Sustainability researched and submitted a proposal to install a 25 kW solar panel arrangment at the Erb Memorial Union. Positive outcomes associated with the work is education on solar energy and an increase in renewable energy 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:
Students enrolled in LA196 Trees Across Oregon use the campus arboretum for their lab sections. A positive outcome is that students are able to identify common trees native to Oregon’s eight different forest zones
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:
Printing and Mailing Service strives to deliver superior print solutions that are optimized to the needs of our faculty, students and staff. The Fleet Copier Program incorporates the latest print technologies and superior services, while delivering significant efficiencies in cost savings, environmental impact and productivity improvement to the university.
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 Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon offered a Clark Honors Introductory Course (CHIP) titled Bike Touring in Eugene during the Fall 2015 term. The course was created and taught by an undergraduate student. The course teaches students about bicycle transportation at the University of Oregon and in the Eugene community. Students being educated on transportation issues is the positive outcome of the couse.
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 Zero Waste program offered an student internship in Winter 2014. The intern developed a social media marketing plan for the Greeks Go Green Program and the Zero Waste House Certification program. The campaign helped raise awareness and increase enrollment in both programs.
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 group of students, working with the Student Sustainability Center, conducted an inventory of water bottle refill stations on campus for Campus Operatons. Positive outcomes associated with the work include an increase in the maintenance of the foutains and discussions on adding additional water bottle refill stations.
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 Center has 12 student employees that work to implement sustainability solutions at the University of Oregon. These students serve on University committees, interact with University and staff members, and represent the department. The students often write and submit proposal that are reviewed by department directors and vice presidents. Positive outcomes associated with the work are student getting experience with project management and increased engagement around sustainability issues at the University.
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 group of students working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Education and Support Services conducted an inventory of restroom facilities on campus and made a recommendations to increase the number of gender inclusive restrooms on campus to the Vice President for Finance and Administration. A positive outcomes associated with the work is an increase in the number of gender inclusive restrooms on campus.
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:
The BioBE lab collected data on the microbiomes found in the Lillis Business Complex and Gerrlinger Auditorium. This data collection has allowed them to publish articles in peer reviewed journals.
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 group of students were actively involved in challenging the University of Oregon's foundation to divest from investments in fossil fuels.
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:
For a capstone project in environmental studies, students evaluated the effectiveness of various forms of art and cultural representation about oil and oil dependency. Students then proposed and/or carried out their own projects to engage the public about oil and oil dependency.
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.