| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.63 |
| Liaison | Leslie North |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Western Kentucky University
EN-11: Inter-Campus Collaboration
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Madeline
Petty Graduate Assistant Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences |
Is the institution currently a member of a national or international higher education sustainability network?:
The name of the national or international sustainability network(s):
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Does the institution actively participate in a regional, state/provincial, or local higher education sustainability network?:
The name of the regional, state/provincial or local sustainability network(s):
The sustainability coordinators in the state of Kentucky have an informal network where they share ideas and resources and tour each others campuses to learn what is working what is working at their university. The group also meets annually each summer for a sustainability retreat and information sharing event. They also have virtual meetings periodically throughout the academic year to discuss issues/challenges they are facing in the region as sustainability coordinators.
Has the institution presented at a higher education sustainability conference during the previous year?:
A list or brief description of the conference(s) and presentation(s):
A Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences graduate student, Nima Esmaeilzadeh, won second place in the graduate poster contest at the American Association of Professional Geologists (AIPG) in September. The AIPG is the largest association dedicated to promoting geology and has over 5,000 members in the United States and abroad. The 2023 conference took place in Covington, Kentucky. Nima's research is about non-invasive, cost-effective means of mineral resource exploration, and he says: "By leveraging the power of cutting-edge satellite technology and geological insights, this research contributes to the advancement of sustainable and efficient critical minerals exploration."
Students part of the Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies presented research and community development results from Jennings Creek Partnership for Awareness and Resilience of the Creekwood Community and EPA Watershed Plan Research at many conferences. These topics have immediate relevance to sustainability at the community level through hazard mitigation and climate awareness and resilience, and through watershed monitoring and protection, providing sustainable water resources to the local/regional community. These projects were presented at:
KY Stormwater Association
KY Water Research symposium
KY Academy of Science
KY-TN Water Professionals meeting
UN Water Conference
Has the institution submitted a case study during the previous year to an external higher education sustainability resource center or awards program?:
A list or brief description of the sustainability resource center or awards program and submission(s):
The Living Learning Communities in the first-year student dorms on WKU's campus have been submitted for and won several awards as a case study. Among these LLCs is the Earth, Environment, and Atmospheric Sciences LLC for sustainability engaged students.
- 2023 ACPA Collaborative Excellence Award - https://www.wku.edu/housing/news/index.php?view=article&articleid=11066
- 2022 Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) Academic Collaboration Award - https://www.wku.edu/housing/news/index.php?view=article&articleid=10341
Has the institution had employees or students serving on a board or committee of a sustainability network or conference during the previous three years?:
A list or brief description of the board or committee appointment(s):
The Chief Facilities Officer serves on the BOD of Operation PRIDE, a regional organization focused on beautification and green space projects.
Beth Gafford is serving on the Operation PRIDE 'Clean the Green' Committee and the Environmental Education working group.
Two EEAS professors, Dr. Jason Polk and Dr. Pat Kambesis, serve on the karst division of the Geological Society of America (GSA).
The university President, Dr. Tim Caboni, serves on the board of Metals Innovation Initiative with Dr. Leslie North. MI2 ingrains sustainability into operations and innovative initiatives at the WKU Innovation Campus.
Dr. Leslie North and Dr. Jennifer Tougas serve on a sustainability committee with Logan Aluminum, a company which has increased sustainability initiatives in partnership with WKU such as recycling programs for gameday tailgates.
Dr. Jason Polk and Dr. Joshua Durkee serve on committees and projects at Barren River Area Development District regarding sustainability and climate change mitigation.
Dr. Jennifer Tougas serves on a committee regarding micro mobility access for the City of Bowling Green.
Lee Anne Bledsoe serves on the Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region Advisory Council, is a coordinator for CaveMAB, a global network of cave and karst biosphere reserves, and was recently appointed to the Karst Commissions of both the International Association of Hydrogeologists and International Geographical Union.
Does the institution have an ongoing mentoring relationship with another institution through which it assists the institution with its sustainability reporting and/or the development of its sustainability program?:
A brief description of the mentoring relationship and activities:
WKU serves as a model for other institutions in various ways. Our Facilities Management services are provided by Sodexo, and we provide mentorship to other Sodexo served campuses in areas of energy conservation and efficiency, sustainable grounds-keeping, and green cleaning. Representatives from these campuses often visit to see and learn about best practices. Additionally, we are regularly contacted by peer institutions seeking to learn more about such things as our food waste composting program (now included in a published "how-to" guide) and initiatives such as the "Conservation Vacation".
Has the institution had employees or students serving as peer reviewers of another institution’s sustainability data and/or STARS submission during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the peer review activities:
A brief description of other inter-campus collaborative efforts around sustainability during the previous year :
In 2019, WKU hosted University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and the City of Lexington to tour WKU's composting operation. This tour led to UK creating their own food waste composting operation. WKU also prioritizes transferring surplus assets to other government institutions. WKU has donated hundreds of items to municipalities and k-12 schools.
Although not local, WKU has a partnership with the University of Akureyri in Iceland and is a member of the University of the Arctic to assist in the enhancement of global networks for information/teaching, research, and student exchange related to climate change.
In 2023, a student completing an internship in solar development began collaboration with an Alabama University in implementing pollinator habitat on an Alabama solar project currently in development.
Website URL where information about the institution’s inter-campus collaborations is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.