Baldwin Wallace University
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

As per the STARS 2.1 Technical Manual's definition of "sustainability research" being research that leads toward solutions that simultaneously support social wellbeing, economic prosperity, and ecological health," BW is the recipient of the 2018 National Program of the Year Award for our Alternative Break program that combines a robust curriculum with social activism around sustainability related topics most recently food insecurity. Please see for more informatin: https://www.bw.edu/news/2018/fall-2018/10-bw-alternative-breaks-named-national-program-of-the-year

BW's Faculty Handbook last updated in 2016 in section 3.C.2 on p.25 promulgated by the BW Promotion and Tenure Committee explicitly highlights that interdisciplinary scholarship will be looked upon favorably in promotion and/or tenure decision-making. The section provides in salient part:

"3.C.2 Scholarship and Professional Activities
Baldwin Wallace University is a community of scholars and we value many kinds of
scholarship, including publication in a scholarly journal; a book chapter or an entire
book; presentation at state, regional, national or international conferences; and public
performances or shows in the arts.
Other kinds of scholarship are equally important and deserve recognition:
 Scholarship that makes interdisciplinary connections. Examples might include
developing new courses in a new major or minor that the University adopts.
 Scholarship that seeks to address significant problems both within and outside the
University community. Examples might include conducting institutional research on
undergraduate education or engaging in consulting work on behalf of a communitybased organization.
 Scholarship that increases the breadth and/or depth of understanding within one’s
field of expertise or which demonstrates commitment to the ideals of liberal
education. Examples might include the holding of professional office with an
appropriate organization, membership on an editorial board, acknowledgments
through award(s) or in reviews from professionals in one’s field that document the
significance of a contribution, notable accomplishment in developing new courses in
one’s discipline, or extraordinary accomplishment in pursuing programs of study
designed to assure continuing breadth and /or depth of understanding of material
related to one’s teaching.
 The Baldwin Wallace University definition of scholarship and professional activity is
derived from Earnest Boyer, Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate
(Princeton University Press, 1990). Boyer’s distinctions between the scholarship of
discovery, of integration, of application, and of teaching may be of use in defining
departmental criteria.
Specific explanations of accomplishment in any of these areas are expected. The
description should clearly demonstrate a serious and sustained commitment to at least one
of the areas described above. Candidates for tenure are expected to demonstrate a pattern
of professional development that suggests the likelihood of continuing commitment to
scholarly activity and growth during a career at Baldwin Wallace University."
The BW Faculty Handbook is available through an internal password protected system.

Library Director, Charles Vesei, is an environmental historian and committed participant of the Sustainability program at Baldwin Wallace. He and his staff compiled a Sustainability Library Guide (i.e., "LibGuide") that provides students with quick access to a plethora of sustainability resources including links to research materials along with specific research topic areas noted below. Please visit the open access Sustainabilty LibGuide for more information at: http://libguides.bw.edu/sustainability

1) Books
2) Periodicals
3) Databases
4) Databases Help
5) Multimedia
6) Federal Agencies
7) Ohio and Local
8) Climate
9) Energy and Fuel
10) Environment
11) Health
12) Sustainability and Environment
13) Toxins
14) Waste and Recycling
15) Water
16) Weather
17) Evaluating Sources
18) Open Educational Resources (OER)