Sustainability Fall Faculty Forum

Results from the spring forum Priority should be placed on integrating sustainability into faculty research over academic courses. A potential partnership with the Research Office could be fostered to assist with funding. The Office of Environmental Sustainability should clearly articulate the connection between current research and sustainability. Example of Health and Wellness study. Create a large interdepartmental seminar, taught by multiple faculty representing different disciplines. Offer small grants to faculty to be used towards sustainability in the classroom. One example is to offer funds to use towards sustainable field trips.

Results from the spring forum Give faculty recognition for serving as sustainability liaisons for their departments. They are juggling many obligations, so a formal service would allow them to prioritize sustainability. Research question data base would be effective. Offer campus sustainability data (including energy use, recycling) so that a classes can do research projects. It will also promote place-based learning. Integrate garden into many disciplines. Potential uses for the gardens include heritage gardens, research gardens, community gardens and permaculture gardens.

Results from the spring forum The initiatives that received the most interest are: 1. establishing a small grants program 2. service learning opportunities or interdisciplinary speaker series (tied) 3. professional development on integrating sustainability into the curriculum

Promote the Campus as a Living, Learning Lab Proposal Promote the Campus as a Living, Learning Lab

Campus As A Living Learning Lab Criteria Campus As A Living Learning Lab Place: Reflects a commitment to campus and surrounding community Sustainability: Strives to implement lasting change to make a given place more resource-efficient, equitable and ecologically balanced, acknowledging a resource-finite world Real-world learning: Links knowledge to action with problem-based, results-oriented learning opportunities Fit: Supports the campus’ sustainability vision, advancing campus and neighborhood priorities Adaptive: Takes an open-ended approach where ongoing assessment, capturing and reporting contributes to the collective knowledge base and improves future projects Collaborative Action: Fosters deep engagement with campus community members that leads to on-the-ground project implementation Evaluation and continuous improvement: Mechanisms are established to monitor progress and evaluate impact overtime

Application Moving Forward Providing research opportunities for students and faculty that incorporate current operational processes and procedures Researching potential demonstration projects that could be implemented in conjunction with campus construction projects Creating new operations, procedures or initiatives through a joint effort that is rooted operationally and academically Developing learning opportunities related to sustainability

Application Moving Forward Providing research opportunities for students and faculty that incorporate current operational processes and procedures Researching potential demonstration projects that could be implemented in conjunction with campus construction projects Creating new operations, procedures or initiatives through a joint effort that is rooted operationally and academically Developing learning opportunities related to sustainability

Moving Forward How can we generate research questions? How can we match identified questions to student researchers? How can we match research needs with faculty researchers?

Potential Questions Student Research Research energy efficiency investments on campus and how they compare with endowment returns Research the impact of the geothermal system at Liberty Terrace and compare its performance to the systems used at St. Rose and Skidmore Research if the car share and bike share programs have an impact on students bringing cars to campus

Application Moving Forward Providing research opportunities for students and faculty that incorporate current operational processes and procedures Researching potential demonstration projects that could be implemented in conjunction with campus construction projects Creating new operations, procedures or initiatives through a joint effort that is rooted operationally and academically Developing learning opportunities related to sustainability

Proposal A Heritage Garden

Heritage Garden We seek to establish a garden that has a year round purpose, a solid plan for management, has ties to academic courses, provides research opportunities and creates campus and community team building. A Heritage Garden is designed to honor the cultural and natural heritage of Albany while utilizing sustainable gardening practices. This would include: Promote the use of native plants especially those of cultural significance; Promote low-water use landscaping & efficient irrigation methods Educate our community about the history and biodiversity of the Capital Region

Objectives Heritage Garden Make it a year round activity Learning Objectives: Increase campus knowledge and engagement of sustainable food production and healthy eating Create opportunities for engaged learning Create opportunity for community engagement Educate on history and biodiversity of Albany Create interdisciplinary learning and interaction Operational Objectives: Make it a year round activity Create a self sustaining entity in terms of management and funding Illustrate campus as a living, learning lab (showcase example) Demonstrate sustainable practices Opportunity for student leadership with faculty/staff mentoring

Progress Heritage Garden Currently a student task force is being formed There are 6 committees: planning, administration, labor & maintenance, marketing, finance and outreach We need faculty members to help mentor these students and link the garden academically to courses

Moving Forward Are there opportunities to link this to courses? Are there seminar opportunities on which we can collaborate? Is anyone willing to help mentor a group?

Application Moving Forward Providing research opportunities for students and faculty that incorporate current operational processes and procedures Researching potential demonstration projects that could be implemented in conjunction with campus construction projects Creating new operations, procedures or initiatives through a joint effort that is rooted operationally and academically Developing learning opportunities related to sustainability

Moving Forward How can we generate and prioritize potential projects? How can we match identified projects to students? How do we manage (monitor and evaluate) student projects?

Learning Opportunities Potential Projects Develop a GIS-based map app that provides a sustainability tour of UAlbany. This would show the location of campus green roofs, rain gardens, car share parking location, EV charging stations, renewable energy systems and recycling bin locations. Develop a field guide to UAlbany and surrounding environment with cultural and environmental points of interest. Investigate the requirements for the University to become Fair Trade certified and present a proposal on how to achieve certification to Sodexo and UAS representatives.

Proposal Small Grant Program

Moving Forward A small fund has been approved for sustainability related grants for the fall of 2014 We need faculty to provide insight on the development and management of these grants

Moving Forward What is the best way to communicate this grant opportunity? What kinds of activities should be eligible for these grants? Are willing to assist in the development of the grant application? Are you willing to serve on the grant selection committee?

Thank you for your input!