Sustainability Practicum, Spring 2008
An Opportunity to Enhance Campus Sustainability
Class Structure
In the spring 2008 semester students enrolled in the practicum have the exciting opportunity to plan, design, and implement sustainable enhancements to other University campus structures and processes.
Up to 30 students (undergraduate and graduate) a semester from departments spread across the university campus have participated in past practicum offerings.
In the project-based course, students work in interdisciplinary teams to brainstorm sustainable enhancements, investigate feasibility and propose, design, and describe integrated functional aspects of a structure (e.g., building) or process.
Students will be mentored by a multi-discipline team of instructors and staff from the U. Office of Sustainability, Plant Operations, and Facilities Management. Creative and energetic students looking to make a difference in campus sustainability are encouraged to participate in this unique experiential learning opportunity.
Project Topics
- Planning and designing sustainable features of the Turpin Building remodel
- Auditing water and energy use across campus
- Identifying opportunities and designing features to increase water and energy use efficiency across campus
- Devising communication strategies and developing public education campaigns to increase energy and water use efficiency, and more.
Course Partnerships
The Office of Sustainability
Students will work out methods for performing department-scale ‘green’ audits and help set goals for reducing their ecological footprint coordinating with two campus administrative units (e.g., Dept. of Continuing Education).
Plant Operations and Campus Design & Construction
Students will participate in the process of assessing approaches to the Turpin Building remodel, and work with Plant Operations and Grounds to consider ways to move towards a water-neutral campus.