| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.55 |
| Liaison | Susan Powers |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Clarkson University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Susan
Powers Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment ISE |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Air & Climate
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Air & Climate:
Students in ES436/536 (Climate Change) are required to do a quantitative semester project related to campus sustainability / climate action plan. Their results are included as part of GHG emissions reporting
Buildings
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Buildings:
Students participate as researchers and subjects as part of our Smart Housing Program that aims to increase energy and water conservation and develop conservation behaviors in residential buildings;
Students in sustainable Construction classes (CE408, 409, 410) evaluate buildings relative to campus sustainability policies and LEED certification and report to facilities department to share evaluation;
Capstone design class students are working to redesign and rebuild the campus cold climate greenhouse
An MS student created an energy model of the ERC as part of the renovation process and shared valuable insights about design decisions with the project planner
Energy
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Energy:
A faculty-student team has developed the ducted wind turbine that is being implemented on a campus roof;
students in intro math class review, evaluate and understand solar PV data; student interns work with facilities staff on the building energy management system. They are revising the code for controls to increase efficieny of HVAC
Students from several classes regularly take field trips to our solar PV and Potsdam Hydro facilities.
Food & Dining
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Food & Dining:
Student interns work with ISE and dining staff to account for local and sustainable food purchases. results are included in the STARS report
student working on anaerobic digester research project work with dining services to separate, collect and transport food waste to feed he digester.
Grounds
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Grounds:
Students are working in an Environmental Anthropology class to understand how the campus community values of Clarkson Woods. Resylts will be used to help prepare policy for forest management.
An ES& P student senior thesis project included using iTree to map and evaluate trees on the landscaped region of campus. Database now used by Grounds staff as they cut and plant trees.
Students in CE212 designed a new foot bridge to enable stream crossing and improved access to the Clarkson Woods. Bridge will be build Summer 2019.
Students in biology lab classes measure trees and estimating carbon storage. Information is added to our understanding of carbon sequestration as we learn to better account for this in our CAP.
Students in CE301 do GPS mapping projects on campus and produce new data each semester. Students have produced and shared maps of campus trails, sidewalks, running and walking routes, campus trees, and underground utilities.
Purchasing
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Purchasing:
Students in STATs 488 are working with the University Engineer to develop a mathematical model of our electricity purchases to enable us to increase % renewable electricity purchased in an economic manner.
Students in Supply Chain Env. Management class explore how long-time resource procurement/consumption/usage habits/practices on campus can be modified for environmental and economic benefits
Transportation
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Transportation:
An MS CE student completed his research project working with the Village on their Complete Streets initiative. A set of bike paths were proposed as part of the work and have been included in Village proposals for grant funding.
Waste
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Waste:
The campus' anaerobic digester is used in many classes as a way to manage food waste (Industrial Ecology, Senior Capstone design, water and wastewater treatment, biological processes). Mathematical models developed through these classes and sample analysis are both used in improving digester operations.
The ethnography class is interviewing the campus community to learn about their habits and values related to waste. Results will be shared through the Assoc. colleges sustainability Day and used by ISE staff to improve communications related to waste management
Water
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Water:
Students in ecology and biology lab classes sample water from the Raquette River.
Issues related to sustainable water uses in local watersheds are used as the focus of study in the Limnology and water resources classes (e.g. eutrophication, land use impacts on water quality).
Students in water treatment class are engaged in laboratory activities that measure water quality at transition points in the Potsdam Water Treatment Plant and Sewage Treatment Plant. Students evaluate plant performance and make recommendations to the staff regarding treatment unit operations and processes and improving plant sustainability. Students tour these utilities in Potsdam as a requirement of the course.
Students in water resources senior capstone project evaluated the scour potential for culverts on the campus' Munter Trails and the effect on the Racquette River. Students designed more appropriate culverts based on drainage area and soil types and shared their results with facilities staff.
Coordination & Planning
No
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Coordination & Planning:
N/A
Diversity & Affordability
No
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
N/A
Investment & Finance
No
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Investment & Finance:
N/A
Public Engagement
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Public Engagement:
Students in the Fall 2018 Adirondack Semester program were partnered with the Village of Lake Placid, Town of North Alba, and the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The students' role was to develop sustainable metrics for community development through the LEED for Communities program. The outcome of their class was submission of metrics to USGBC for LfC certification. This is an ongoing research project that will continue to involve students and include public engagement with the olympic region.
Wellbeing & Work
Yes
A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Students assessed downtown campus (Clarskon Hall) and used an inclusivity assessment tool to identify areas for improvement and prepare recommendations. This lead to a capstone project, for example, improvements designed for outside entrances and building navigation (beyond just mobility impairment). Results were shared with the Facilities staff;
OT630: Working with campus accomodative services to assess how OT students can help students who use campus accomodative services.
Other Impact Areas
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A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to other areas:
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Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.