| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.39 |
| Liaison | Tina Woolston |
| Submission Date | Nov. 12, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Tufts University
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Tina
Woolston Director Office of Sustainability |
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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 | No |
| Transportation | Yes |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Other | No |
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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:
Some work has been done in the past on evaluating air pollution on and around campus.
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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:
Students are being taken on as interns by the contractors working on building projects, giving students the opportunity to work on on-campus buildings.
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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:
Nutrition students often work on projects with the dining halls as part of their internship. Additionally, there are student interns and employees of catering and dining that specialize in sustainability within the dining operations.
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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:
Students in the geology department were involved in installing a ground-source heat pump. Students in a climate change class have looked at a variety of energy-related topics on campus from energy saving opportunities in the chemistry building to greenhouse gas emissions from laboratory chemicals. Undergraduates in the "Environmental Action" class instituted energy-savings behavior change campaigns in several wood-framed residences. Students in engineering management and other engineering classes frequently select and work on campus energy projects, studying, for example, the feasibility of green roofs and alternative power options.
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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 in the past worked on making several acres of campus organically managed. More recently, students provided stormwater low impact development plans to the university and worked with the grounds staff to install and maintain vegetable or educational gardens on campus.
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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:
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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:
Students in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEP) classes have evaluated several transportation-related issues on campus, most recently examining the impact of the new proposed Green Line station on non-vehicle traffic and alternatives for the nearby intersection.
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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:
Students have instigated and managed post-consumer composting programs on campus, as well as tray-less dining.
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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:
Students have studied the feasibility of waterless urinals and the effectiveness of shower timers on reducing shower duration.
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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:
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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:
ACE fellows live in the first year dorms and work to provide an inclusive, affirming environment for Tufts undergraduate students and the University community where all members can achieve their maximum potential and participate in an experience of shared values. http://students.tufts.edu/student-affairs/what-we-help/promoting-diversity-and-equality/academic-and-community-engagement
Students can live in the LGBT special interest house or participate in discussions around diversity on campus, among other things.
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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:
A graduate student helped found "Balance Your Life," whose goal is to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and improve the overall well-being of Tufts undergrads.
http://sites.tufts.edu/balanceyourlife/
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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:
Students in the class "Experimenting with Philanthropy" invested $20,000 in local organizations. http://activecitizen.tufts.edu/blog/2012/06/18/a-20000-%E2%80%98experiment%E2%80%99/
A representative of the student senate sits on the advisory board for the Sustainable Investment Fund.
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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:
The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service is a catalyst for active citizenship at Tufts and is the only university-wide program of its kind. By continuously developing and introducing new active citizenship programming in collaboration with Tufts' schools, departments, and student groups, Tisch College builds a culture of active citizenship throughout the university. This entrepreneurial approach grows the university’s capacity for engagement and allows the college to reach every student at all of Tufts' schools
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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:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s campus as a living laboratory program or projects is available:
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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.