Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.15
Liaison Jessica Bilecki
Submission Date March 4, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of the Pacific
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.80 / 4.00 Jessica Bilecki
Sustainability Director
Sustainability
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Campus Engagement

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
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Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
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Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
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Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
In Fall 2017 the final project for students in EMGT193 Building Information Modeling was to design a Garden Resource Center. Students interviewed the Garden Program Director and then modeled 6 different building designs.

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Fall 2018 students in Engineering Management Synthesis conducted an energy audit of Khoury Hall. They also used the experience to create a template future students could use on campus building inventories. Building on this, in summer 2019 a student strengthened the template and used it to assess vampire loads in Chambers Technology Center. Printers and single serving style coffee machines were found to be some of the most energy intensive electronics.

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
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Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Four faculty members from Biology, Geological Sciences, and History use the Grounds as a classroom in which students complete assignments determining the types of plants, sediments, and animal life on the grounds. Students also conduct experiments to test the quality of the soil, presence of pesticides, water consumption across campus and come up with alternative ways in which Pacific can reduce its ecological impact.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
The Purchasing department also handles Surplus. In AY '19-'20 a student intern wrote a report on the University's surplus system and provided recommendations for improvement. The report included research on items that had been surplused including those that were useable but due to lack of a transparent system could not be seen and claimed by others at the university. It also included research on three different online platforms for better managing Surplus. In 2020 recommendations were followed. Another student is interning to set up and roll out the pilot platform. The platform allows University staff to easily browse available items so they can reuse rather than purchase new.

Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
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Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
In 2018 ARTS 009 3D Design students designed and built compost bins, benches, tables and potting benches for the Ted & Chris Robb Garden as part of their course. Items were built from a campus redwood that needed to be removed.

In '19-'20 Sustainability student employees created a report on the efficacy of a new, centralized, three-bin waste collection system in the library. The report showed the system to be more effective than the old system and it highlighted which bins had the most contamination. This has informed outreach efforts such as a waste sorting video and having occasional bin monitors.

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Students in CIVL 173, Sustainable Engineering (Fall '20) created a green infrastructure design for Anderson Lawn and Khoury Plaza to address water pooling and foot traffic issues. The design day lighted a downspout, created a rainwater garden and created a more convenient path of travel. It was submitted to the EPA Campus RainWorks challenge.

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
In 2018 Two ASUOP representatives worked with Sustainability and Physical Plant to design and enhance a third space on campus. They learned basic project management skills such as working with stakeholders, assessing locations, managing budgets and clarifying project purpose and scope. As a result of their work an area frequented by students was enhanced with a screened pavilion and outdoor furniture, ADA tables and a water bottle refill station.

Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
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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.