Projects


Below is a list of past, present, and on-going projects related to sustainability at KU. Some projects have been initiated or supported by the Center for Sustainability, while others have come about through the interest and commitment of individuals and organizations in the campus community. If you are participating in a project and would like to have it included here, or have an idea for a new project, please contact us!

Current Projects


Here are just a few of the efforts currently underway by CFS to make KU a more sustainable institution:

Composting Study: KU Design and Construction Management and the Center for Sustainability have been examining potential opportunities for composting on campus to reduce waste and provide a free source of soil amendments for campus landscaping. CFS has identified an in-vessel composting system that would require minimal space and labor to compost food waste from one of the Dining Services kitchens. Design & Construction Management is currently working with several departments on campus to conduct a feasibility study for the project. For more on the project and a PDF of the report click here.

"Green Guides": Sustainability Ambassadors have developed two separate guides to help faculty and staff operate more sustainably. One guide focuses on general practices in the workplace, while the other is geared toward individual behaviors. CFS research assistants have also developed an online guide to greener living for the campus community.

SEAB Renewable Energy & Sustainability Fund: The Student Enviornmental Advisory Board oversees the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fee, a $0.25 per semester student fee that is allocated to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. To learn more about this program and how to apply for funds for your campus project, visit the SEAB section of our website.

Sustainability Education: During the 2008-09 Academic Year, Stacey White (CFS Director of Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Urban Planning) coordinated a Sustainability Working Group at the KU Center for Teaching Excellence. Faculty from across campus outlined an introductory course in sustainability, examining this topic through multiple disciplines.

Waste Reduction: CFS is working with the Environmental Stewardship Program and FO Housekeeping to reduce campus waste and increase recycling through the development of an education and awareness campaign and other operational improvements.

Past Projects


The following list contains efforts completed by CFS as well as class and independent study projects. Please keep in mind that some student projects are limited to the time and resources available during a semester long course and do not represent comprehensive, peer-reviewed research.

Campus Sustainability Assessments

Spring 2009
The University of Kansas was a pilot school for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). Participating in this evaluation of sustainability in operations, finance and administration, and research and education allowed us to gather baseline data and identify improvement areas, and will help us track future progress using a standardized system. The STARS is being developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Students in Environmental Impact Analysis (EVRN 615), an undergraduate capstone course for the Environmental Studies program, worked together to assess current conditions at the University of Kansas and suggest opportunities to make KU a more sustainable institution. Complete reports in PDF format can be downloaded by clicking on the heading for each topic. Studies were conducted on the following indicators of sustainability:

  • Energy:  A thorough investigation behind the campus and its energy usage was conducted that surveyed many issues dealing with infrastructure, efficiency, conservation, as well as alternative forms of energy. Using the results, the authors determine that greater public awareness, continued building modifications as well as utility payment re-distribution were some feasible recommendations that The University of Kansas should employ to improve campus energy use. 
  • Food: Focusing on sustainable food and related supplies at the University of Kansas, the authors researched all available food resources on campus and determined the impacts of their life cycle while at the University.  This life cycle was broken into three distinct stages: distribution, location and variety of food consumed on campus, and waste disposal. To increase the level of sustainable food services the authors concluded that the University needs to encourage eating locally produced food, increase consumer awareness of sustainability issues, and recycle a higher percentage of materials.
  • Laboratory Supplies: The authors hypothesize that a lack of University oversight and regulatory standards leads to unnecessary waste and environmental costs. Case studies were made of the Bio-diesel laboratory, and the General Chemistry 184 course offered at KU in the spring of 2009. Findings indicated inefficiencies lead to waste, increased costs, and further contamination. Recommendations included bar coding systems, laboratory mapping, inventories, and appropriate storage of chemicals.
  • Office Supplies: The authors sought to better understand the use of office supplies at the University of Kansas (KU) through interviews with key individuals and the use of a case study of the Business and Geography departments. Specifically, paper supplies, furniture, and electronics each cause significant environmental degradation in their creation and, often improper, disposal.
  • Transportation: The focus of this report is to convey environmental stewardship through the examination of sustainable transportation on the University of Kansas campus.  Many alternatives to current operations are available that would decrease the number of vehicles on campus and consequently reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental concerns. The objectives of this study include a comprehensive report on the current campus-wide initiatives, and an identification of potential alternatives and suggestions for future action.
  • Vegetation & Wildlife: This research project looks at the landscape and wildlife management at the University of Kansas. Specifically, the authors discuss the financial aspects and limitations of creating an evolving campus for the future, the landscape aesthetics, the wildlife that currently exists on campus, and the current student projects that have the opportunity to greatly improve the quality and beauty of the university.
  • Water: The authors state that recommendations for the University to conserve water include long-term appications such as changing bathroom fixtures to more water efficient or even water free models, the installation of rainwater cisterns which could be used for irrigation, and changes in landscaping to use less water. Short-term and lower cost recommendations include a public awareness campaign to get students living on campus to reduce their water use, as well as another awareness campaign giving people information on reporting leaky faucets, toilets, and other water losses so they can be fixed promptly.
  • Health: The environment at the University of Kansas opens students up to a multitude of new issues surrounding their health with many students being away from home for the first time. Major health factors cited in this report include: the learning environment, mental health, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, infectious diseases and physical health. This report analyzes these issues and provides recommendations to ensure that the student population is protected as much as possible from these issues.

Summer 2007
An overview of the Campus Sustainability Assessment (CSA) and an outline for developing a CSA at the University of Kansas.

Spring 2007
Students in Environmental Impact Analysis (EVRN 615), an undergraduate capstone course for the Environmental Studies program, worked together to assess current conditions at the University of Kansas and suggest opportunities to make KU a more sustainable institution. Complete reports in PDF format can be downloaded by clicking on the heading for each topic. Studies were conducted on the following indicators of sustainability:

  • Energy: This project examines alternative energy sources for the KU campus, focusing on the feasibility of installing solar panels on Wescoe Hall.
  • Food: A proposal to develop greenhouses on campus to supply fresh produce for KU Dining Services throughout the year. The proposal also addresses waste reduction through a food waste composting system that provides nutrients for the gardening operation. (Note: A pilot proposal for this project is being developed to include working with a local producer on a smaller scale. Check back for details in fall 2007.)
  • Green Building: Suggestions for renovating Gertrude S. Pearson (GSP) Residence Hall to obtain LEED certification, this proposal addresses mechanical systems, alternative energy, green roofs, and funding considerations. (Note: This project is being further refined by one of the authors as an independent study project. Please check back for an update in full 2007.)
  • Landscaping: This report focuses on both the aesthetics and the resources used to maintain our campus landscaping, highlighting aspects of protecting Potter Lake, water use (and potential reuse) for irrigation, litter on campus, and the potential for incorporating native plant species into the landscape.
  • Waste Reduction and Recycling: A status report and suggestions for improving recycling and waste reduction on campus, including a waste study conducted in Wescoe Hall.

Community Sustainability Projects


Spring 2009
Students in the State of the Planet course, with focused on issues related to climate change, examined the challenges of biking in Lawrence and suggested solutions for improvement. Find out more at http://lawrencebikeproject.wikispaces.com.

Summer 2007
Graduate students in the Urban Planning program conducted a sustainability audit of the Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival, examining impacts of energy use, transportation, water use, waste & recycling, goods & services available at the festival, and the physical impact of the event on the park. They also looked at education and outreach efforts and the general business operations of the event. You can download a copy of the full report here.

Green House Gas Inventory


Spring 20007
"An Examination of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential at the University of Kansas: An Outline for Creating a Comprehensive GHG Inventory" is one students approach to quantifying the green house gases produced by the University of Kansas. This paper looks at methods used by other campuses across the nation and suggests how KU might measure our carbon footprint. Download the complete PDF document here (edited for online publication). For more information about this project, contact the Center for Sustainability.

Land Use


Summer 2007
Students involved with GRID - a student organization uniting Architecture and Urban Planning students - created a playscape design for the City of Lawrence's DeVictor Park. The design incorporates elements of the natural landscape and encourages creative outdoor play. For more information, download their presentation and a background on the importance of natural play spaces (both in PDF).

Waste Reduction


Spring 2008
CFS research assistant Ester Bedard examined strategies for reducing paper use in student computer labs and campus departments and presented a proposal with recommendations at the end of the 2008 spring semester. Her proposal focuses on changing default margins, deploying duplex-capable printers, and other programs to shift behavior towards source reduction. Her work has been continued by current CFS research assistant Josh Foster and the Technology and Green Procurement working groups. To access the full proposal and survey results used for this project click here.

Fall 2006
This paper written for an introductory environmental studies course looks at campus composting and a pilot composting project that was conducted in the late 1990's. Download the complete PDF document here