| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.05 |
| Liaison | Nicole Arsenault |
| Submission Date | April 20, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
York University
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 | --- |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | --- |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | Yes |
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 brief description of how the institution is using the campus as a living laboratory for Buildings and the positive outcomes associated with the work:
(2014)A team of students conducted a study of the Proctor Field House located on York’s Glendon Campus. Their research involved analyzing the accessibility of the building’s facilities, and possible solutions. The research was presented to Campus Services and Business Operations and contribute to the future planning of this building.
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:
Business students in a social marketing class created a marketing strategy for the planned bottled water phase-out that will be taking place in September 2015. Their research is being used to better increase public awareness about the bottled water phase-out. The bottled water phase-out will be implemented at all dining and food locations across both Keele and Glendon campus.
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:
(2015)An engineering student doing research with a professor is helping design and build a solar-powered charging station on a campus parking lot that will track its use by electric car-owners.
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:
(2014) Students in the Introduction to Environmental Science course (ENVS 1500) did research projects in the campus woodlots to examine the biodiversity in the soil, as well as measure the rate of decomposition of organic matter. Students are able to observe the high number of species living in these woodlots on campus.
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:
A student team compared the cost, hygiene level, waste and energy consumption associated with white and brown paper towels, cloth-roll towels and electric hand dryers. Campus operations accepted their recommendations to use brown paper towels instead of bleached white ones
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:
(2014)A group of students in an Environmental Auditing course were tasked with auditing and researching current transportation trends at Glendon Campus. This included examining parking, public transit, Glendon-Keele Shuttles, active transportation and carpooling. They were able to create recommendations for improvement in Transportation Demand Management. Specifically with the Glendon-Keele shuttle service.
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:
(2014) A team of students conducted an environmental audit on cigarette butts & gum waste. They did research to determine whether cigarette butt bins were being utilized on campus. Their findings were forwarded to CSBO to be used to address cigarette butt and gum waste issues
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 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:
(2014) Students conducted an environmental audit of outdoor space on Keele campus in order to better understand the needs and wants of the Students, Staff, and Faculty at York. Their research was presented to Campus Services and Business Operations, and will influence future outdoor space developments. Investing in common areas enhances the wellbeing of all York community members.
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:
Business students in a social marketing class created a marketing strategy for the ReYUse website, which is an online classifieds system for York University community members. By using ReYUse, people can give a second life to an unwanted item. The student’s marketing strategy developed public engagement in ReYUse by suggesting social media and other marketing strategies to York Staff.
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:
(2013) A student team did an accessibility-for-the-disabled audit which focused on the commons and the buildings around it (Vari Hall, Accolades, Fine Arts, Student Center, York Lanes). They observed the area and surveyed community members to narrow down the issues related to accessibility at this part of campus. A wheelchair was used to gather firsthand accessibility experience. The findings of this research informed campus staff of multiple accessibility issues.
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.