SSG web narratives spring 2016 - wmich.edu...Title: SSG web narratives spring 2016 Author: Derek Created Date: 1/21/2016 10:45:47 PM

Fall2015StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalFundsRequested:$25,500.99TotalFundsAllocated:$19,306.641.TheWeGrowtoGiveCommunityGardenProject:AtTheCommunityGardenPrincipalInvestigator:ChristineUggeriFaculty/StaffAdvisor:JohnsonHaas,EnvironmentalandSustainabilityStudiesAbstract:TheWeGrowtoGiveCommunityProjectisanewprojectinitiativethatwilltakeplaceattheWMUCommunityGardenduring2016growingseason.ThisprojectwillbringstudentstogetherforacommonmissionandprovidealearningenvironmentforsustainablegardeningwhilefosteringpersonalgrowthforstudentsandimprovingtheWesternMichiganUniversityandKalamazoocommunity.TheprojectwillusefiveofthelargegardenplotsatWMUCommunityGarden,whereWMUstudentswillgrowproduceusingsustainableandlowwastetechniques.ProducegrownbystudentswillbedonatedtotheorganizationPeaceHouseontheEastsideofKalamazootohelpfeedfamiliesandchildreninourcommunity.AllWesternstudentsarewelcometojoinVolunteerGardenDayand/orVolunteerattheVegetableStandatPeaceHouse.ThepresenceofWesternStudentsattheEastsideneighborhoodwillhelpKalamazoofamiliesandexposebothfamiliesandstudentstosustainablegardeningpractices,broadeningamissionofbeingasustainablecampustothesurroundingcommunity.ThefundingfromtheStudentSustainableGrantwillprovidethestartupequipmentandsuppliesnecessarytomakethisprojectsustainableandsuccessful.TheWeGrowtoGiveCommunityProjectsupportstheWeSustaincommunityinitiativeatWesternMichiganUniversityandimprovestheexperienceofourstudentbodyandqualityoflifeforthepeopleofKalamazoo.AmountRequested:$1,040.61 AmountAllocated:$1,040.61

2.GreenChemistryasaSustainableApproachtotheUndergraduateChemistryLaboratoryPrincipalInvestigator:CaseyWright,LaineyBarberFaculty/StaffAdvisor:JamesKiddle,ChemistryDepartmentAbstract:Amongthemanychallengestosustainability,organicchemistrylaboratoriesinparticular,generatelargeamountofwastesintheformoforganicsolventseachyear.OrganicsolventsrepresentslargeamountoforganicwastecreatedbytheundergraduatelaboratoryenterpriseintheDepartmentofChemistry(over70%)atWesternMichiganUniversity.Thewastegeneratedisbothafinancialburdenontheinstitutionbecauseofthecostassociatedwiththedisposalaswellashavingasignificantenvironmentalimpact.ThisprojectwillfocusontheapplicationofthetwelveprinciplesofGreenChemistrytoDesign.Intotheframeworkoftheundergraduatechemistrylaboratoriessustainablepracticesthatwillreducetheimpactoftheexperimentsontheenvironmentanduseestablishedmatrixtodemonstratetheefficiencyoftheadoptedexperiments.AmountRequested:$4,969 AmountAllocated:$4,1693.SustainableLightActivatedCatalystsPrincipalInvestigators:GregoryJohnson,DavidSellersFaculty/StaffAdvisor:ElkeSchoffers,ChemistryDepartmentAbstract:Increasingenergydemandsandrisingconcernsovergreenhousegasemissionshavemaderesearchintocleanandsustainableenergysourcesurgentandpivotal.Solarenergycanbepartofthesolution.Analogoustochlorophyllinplants,lightactivatedcatalystsarechemicalthatareabletoharnesstheenergyfromlighttodrivechemicalreactionsortostoreanduseenergyviasolarcells.Amajorityofthecurrentlyknownlight-activatedcatalystsusecarboncontainingcompoundsboundtorutheniumandiridium.Thesemetalsareexpensiveandhavelargeenvironmentalfootprintassociatedwiththeirextraction,andarelimitedtonon-renewableresource.Itislikelythatwithinthiscentury,thesuppliesofthesetwometalswilldiminish

substantially.Ironwouldbethemostidealalternative.Itisroughly500,000timesmoreabundant.Ourlabhassynthesizedalibraryofcompoundsinpreviousprojectsthatareabletobindtometalslikeiron.Theyarepromisingprecursorsfordevelopinglightactivatedcatalysts.Inthisproject,wewillprepareearth-abundantmetalcomplexeswithourexistinglibraryofcompoundsandscreenthemfortheirapplicationascatalysts.WewillexpandWMUscapacitytoconductresearchbyaddingnewfunctionalitytocurrentequipment.Studentswillhelpbroadenourresearchintosolarcellsoncampus.Therefore,ourresearchteamwillhelpadvanceWMUssustainabilityefforts.AmountRequested:$4,999 AmountAllocated:$4,9994.LocallySweetTreatsPrincipalInvestigator:AnjaGrammons,LaurenRabishFaculty/StaffAdvisor:CarolineWebber,DieteticsAbstract:ThisproposalwassubmittedbytenWesternMichiganUniversitydieteticinterns.TheWMUdieteticinternshipconcentratesonsustainablefoodsystems.Wehaveparticipatedinmanysustainabilityprojectsduringtheinternshipandwouldliketoexpandonthoseprojectsbyproducingtwodifferentfoodproductsthatfocusonsustainability.“Atitscore,sustainabilityisallaboutimprovingthehumancondition-nowandintothefuture-whileadaptingouractivitiestofitwhatnaturecanprovide.”Michiganhasalltheproductsweneedforourproject,nowitisuptoustoturnthoseproductsintosomethingcommunitywouldneed.Wehopethatbyproducingasustainableproduct,wecanreachoutandintroducenutritionidealsthroughthesegoods.Thetwoproductsthatwillbeproducedarepearsauceandcookiemadewithgluten-freeingredientsandagriculturallysustainablefarmingmethods.ThekeyingredientswillbemadeorgrowninMichigan.UsingMichiganingredientshelpssupporttheWMUSustainabilityfocusbyputtingfundsbackintothelocalcommunity.

Thisgrantwillcovertheseexpenses:ingredientsfortheproducts,packaging,ingredientlabelsandmarketingfliers.Byreceivingthisgrant,theWMUinternscandemonstratetheimportanceofsustainabilityrelatedtofoodandnutritioninWMUcommunity.AmountRequest:$235AmountAllocated:$2355.AProposaltoHoldaBikeSafetyDayonCampusPrincipalInvestigator:AnnalisaWilder,ChianteLymonFaculty/StaffAdvisor:ChrisSligh,SALPAbstract:WesternMichiganUniversityhascontinuedtobeabeaconforsustainability,advancingtheuniversityinmanydifferentfields.BikeshavebecomeapopularmodeoftransportationforstudentshereatWMU.Withgrowingbikeusage,Itisimportanttocontinuetopromotebikesafety.Weproposeputtingonaneventthatwouldpromotebikesafety.WewouldworkwiththeWesternStudentAssociationtoputonabikesafetyawarenessday.WewouldalsoworkwithotherpublicuniversitiesinMichigantoensurethatweallholdourBikeSafetyDayonMarch23rd,2016.Wewillputpostersup,startaFacebookeventandworkwithWesternStudentAssociationtopromotetheevent.Wewillbepassingourbikebellsandreflectivebikespokesliders.AmountRequested:$5,550 AmountAllocated:$5,5506.SustainableBicycleGeneratorPrincipalInvestigator:ErikaFogtik,KelseyPitschelFaculty/StaffAdvisor:Dr.Miller,ElectricalEngineeringAbstract:Humanpoweredenergyisanunderutilizedandubiquitoustypeofrenewableenergythatisabletocombatsmall-scaledependenciesonnaturalgasandcoal.Thebicyclegeneratorisaformofharnessingenergythatrangesincomplexity,materialsandsystemoutput.TheSustainableBicycleGenerator

projectfocusesonredesigningabikegeneratortobesustainablysourced,efficientlycompetitive,andcosteffectiveandaestheticallypleasedforhomeandofficeapplications.Theoverarchingobjectiveoftheprojectistocreateaturnkeysolutionforhands-onlearningaboutenergyandself-sufficiencyinordertodevelopadeeperunderstandingofhowhumansdevelopandconsumeenergy.Additionalbenefitsincludepromotingwell-beingthroughexerciseevenduringwintermonths,amodularsystemthatisportableandreplicable,andasolutionforremoteenergyneedsviaportablebatteries.Thegeneratorwillactasaddontotrainersforstationaryuseofabicyclewitheasysetupandteardown.Maincomponentsofthesystemshallincludeamotor,abattery,aninverter,andaneducationaldisplayscreenthattrackscaloriesburnedandkWhgenerator.AnadditionalobjectiveoftheprojectistoconductaLifeCycleAssessmentofthecomponentsinordertodeterminehowmuchpedalingmustoccurinordertooffsettheupstreamanddownstreamimpactsofbuildingthebikegenerator.AmountRequested:$3283.03 AmountAllocated:$3283.037.DriveSafeKalamazooTabletProposalPrincipalInvestigator:KeithMeyersFaculty/StaffAdvisor:KateBates,SALPAbstract:DriveSafeKalamazoo–aregisteredstudentorganizationand501(c)3non-profit–providessafe,non-judgmentalandconfidentialrideshometoWesternMichiganUniversityStudentsduringtheschoolyear.Eachnightofoperations,somewherebetween6-8sheetsofpaperisusedforassortedcontractsprotectingtheorganization,volunteerandpatrons,allwhileaddingupto500sheetsannually.ByusingRefurbishediPadMini2Tabletswithapdfsigningapplication,wewillbeabletoreducethatnumbertozeroorveryfewsheetspernight.Itwouldalsoreducethecostofspacerequiredtoprovideefficientservicestothestudents,reducethecostoffundingourorganization,andpossiblybeabletospreadtoothersaferideprogramsacrossthecountryasweattemptanewmethodofoperations.This

shouldcostabout$1,650tobeginalongtermsavingsonpaper,inkandmoney.AmountRequested:$1,624.35 AmountAllocated:Denied8.GrowingHempBasedInsulationPrincipalInvestigator:JorgeCortezFaculty/StaffAdvisor:Dr.Hastings,Global&InternationalStudiesAbstract:WeproposetohaveGibbsHousegrowandinstallitsownhempbasedinsulationthroughtheuseofhemphurds,whichcanbespeciallymoldedintovariousconstructionmaterials.InthiswayGibbsHousecancontinuetopromoteeconomicsustainabilityforWesternMichiganUniversi9ty.AlthoughtheGibbshouseisaleadingmodelofsustainability,itisnotasymbolofeconomicheatingandcoolingefficiency.AmountRequested:$3,800 AmountAllocated:Denied

Spring2015StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$24,639Totalfundsallocated:$23,2401.SustainableStudentCenteredCaféPrincipalInvestigators:NoraGimpel,TaylorSawyerFaculty/StaffAdvisor:CarolWeidemanAbstract:WesternMichiganUniversityisworkingonbuildingacultureofSustainability.PartofthemissionofthisprojectinvolvedpropellingWMUforward.SupportinglocalsustainablefoodsystemsbyopeningaSustainableStudentCenteredCaféisthenextsteptoincreasingourcampussustainability.Ourgrantisgoingtofundfillingthecaféspacewithcommercialkitchen/café

equipmentaswellassustainableoptionsforutensilsandcarryoutboxes.Thiswillpromotesustainabilityoncampusbyproviding:healthyfoodoptions,educationalexperiences,increasedretentionstudentinteractionsandsupporttolocaleconomy.TheservicesprovidedbythiscaféwillallowtheWMUcommunitytocollectivelycometogetherandmakeapositiveimpactforthefuture.Besidesjustofferinghealthychoices,itwouldallowstudentstoconsumefoodsourcedbylocalsuppliers.Educationwillhelpinfluencestudentstomakehealthierchoices.Byembracingstudenttalentsanddeliveringavenueinwhichtheycanexpressthemselves,studentscangrowasindividualsandfosteracommunitycultureoncampus.Furnishingthespacewillallowthecafétoservefoodsoonerandinthe“phased-in”process,withdecreasedmonetaryconstraints.AmountRequested:$8,979 AmountAllocated:$8,9792.SunseekerSolarArrayEncapsulationProjectPrincipalInvestigators:BryanHarris,CameronKnightFaculty/StaffAdvisor:BradleyBazuin,ElectricalandComputerEngineeringAbstract:TheSunseekerSolarCarTeamatWesternMichiganUniversityislookingforwaystofurtherimprovetheefficiencyoftheirnextgenerationsolarvehicle.Todothis,theteamneedstodesignthenecessarycircuitry,structure,andhardware.Ananalysisofthesystemwillbecompletedtomakecertainthatthedesignisoptimizedwithinthe2016AmericanSolarChallengeRegulations.Thisworkcouldproveusefulinthecalculationsoftheenergyoffsetprovidedbyplacingsolarcellsoncommercialvehicles.AmountRequested:$8,851 AmountAllocated:$8,8513.CarbonNeutralUSB-Drives–RSOOrientationPrincipalInvestigators:KrystaColeman,JesusRomeroFaculty/StaffAdvisor:NicoleHaase,RSODevelopmentAdvisorofSALP

Abstract:TheRSOOrientationhasbeenconductedinvariousformatsformanyyearsforstudentsandRSOsthatapplyforSSG,WSA-AC,GFACandSCCfunds.Eachacademicyear,RSOsandothergrantreceiversarerequiredtoattendthisworkshop.Traditionally,duringtheseworkshops,mandatoryreadingmaterialshavebeenhandedinpaperformatofapproximately36-40pages.WithfundingfromtheSSG,studentsthatattendtheseworkshopswillreceivethesereadingmaterials,paymentforms,sampleforms,samplecontracts,presentationnotes,RSOHandbook,etc.,inelectronicformatviaaCarbonNeutralUSB-DrivemadepartiallyfromhardwoodfromaFSCcertifiedsource.Thispotentiallyreducestheamountofink,electricityandpaperforthisprojectbyover15,200pagesperacademicyear,thusfurtherincreasingtheSustainabilityoftheUniversityanditsundergraduateandgraduatestudents.TheUSB-DriveswillbearalogoorotheracknowledgementindicatingthatthisprojectwasfundedbySSG-AC,hencepromotingandbringingfurtherawarenessofthecultureofSustainabilityatWMU.AmountRequested:$4,410 AmountAllocated:$4,4104.WesternStudentAssociationT-ShirtSwapGrantProposalPrincipalInvestigators:CourtneyCoxFaculty/StaffAdvisor:ChrisSligh,DirectorofSALPAbstract:Startinginthe2009-2010schoolyear,theWesternStudentAssociationdevelopedthet-shirtswapthattookapparelfromothercanmpuses,suchasUniversityofMichigan,MichiganStateUniversity,etc.,andtradeditforabrandnewWMUshirt.Weareproudtobebringingthisprideinitiativebacktocampus;howeverthingsaregoingtolookalittledifferentthisyear!WehavelearnedthatT-shirtscanbeprettyharmfultotheenvironmentandalsonotallstudentshaveapparelsfromotherschoolstoswap.TheWSAhasdecidedtopartnerwith“EarthWeek”togiveawaysaferorganicshirtsinexchangeforapledgetodosomethinggoodtotheenvironment.WewillalsoencouragethedonationofanygentlyusedclothingtogivetosheltersandorganizationsinKalamazoocommunity.

AmountRequested:$1,000 AmountAllocated:$1,0005.HabitatforHumanityRainGardenPrincipalInvestigators:JohnSmithFaculty/StaffAdvisor:PeterStrazdas,FacilitiesManagementAbstract:TheHabitatforHumanityRainGardenisapartofthe2015GlobalYouthServiceDayandanAmeriCorpsLegacyprojectthatworkswithKalamazooValleyHabitatforHumanity.ThisprojectisplannedforApril18th.ThecurrentHabitatplanistocollectstormwaterinadepressedretentionareawithtubesthatwillholdtheextrawaterandslowlyfilteritbackintotheground.However,thereiscurrentlynoplantofilterpossiblecontaminantsthatenterthecollectionbasin.Thisprojectwillcreateanenvironmentallysustainablesolutionbyplantingnativeplantsthatwillnaturallyfilterthestormwater.ThisprojectwillteachyouhowtopreservetheircommunitiesbyengagingyoungadultvolunteersfromlocalhighschoolsandWesternMichiganUniversity.Thegoaloftheprojectistocreateempoweredyouththatwilltakethechargeandimprovetheircommunitiesthroughenvironmentalsustainability.ThisprojectwillshowHabitatiscommittedtolessoningitsenvironmentalimpacttothecommunitiesitservesandprovidinglowcostservicestoWesternMichiganUniversitystudentsthroughtheHabitatReStore.Thisprojectwillincreasetheawarenessoftheseserviceswhichincludelowpricefurniture,rugsandsmallrepairitemsthatcanbenefitbothstudentslivingonandoffcampuswithpurchasingneededitems.WithincreasedawarenessoftheReStorestudentscanreducetheamountofwastetheyproduceduringthetimetheymoveoutoftheresidenthalls,apartmentsortheiroffcampuslivinglocationsthroughdonatingunwantedandunneededgoods.AmountRequested:$1,400 AmountAllocated:$0

Spring2014StudentSustainabilityGrantProposals Totalfundsrequested:$20,349.43Totalfundsallocated:$20,349.43

1.Hullabazoo:AcelebrationofDIY(DoitYourself)PrincipalInvestigators:JanetAladetohun.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:DonaldCooney,Departmentofsocialwork,KalamazooCityCommissioner

Abstract:Hullabazooisadynamic,inclusive,horizontallyorganizedeventthatinvolvesall-daylocalmusic,alocalartisanmarket,andfreeworkshopsthroughouttheday.HullabazooisatruecelebrationofDIY(Do-it-Yourself)culture.Thiseventisintheheartofcampustowardthecloseofthespringsemester,onApril5Whilebudsandflowersareblooming,wewilluniteforourthirdannualHullabazootoprovideworkshopsontopicssuchaszinemaking,hand-madebookbinging,screenprinting,bicyclemaintenance,herbalismandapaneloflocalfarmers.Byprovidingworkshops,studentsleaveHullabazoowithnewskills,andasmallfireofinspirationintheirbelliestodothingsforthemselves,insteadofrelyingonsuperstoresandfossil-fueledcarculturetomeettheirneeds.TheWesleyFoundationofKalamazooisdonatingbuildinguseforthisprojectforthethirdyear.TheHullabazooistheexplosivefinalecelebrationattheendofafun-filled,socialjusticeorientedpeaceweek.TheeventbeginsonMarch29andspansuntilApril5.

TheplanningorganizationisahubforstudentactivismonWestern’scampus.Weorganizestudentsaroundissuesofsocial,environmental,andeconomicjustice.Wehavecontinuouslymobilizedstudentsaroundissuesofpeaceandsocialjusticeforover30years.PeaceWeekisanannualspringeventoncampus,andpeoplekeepaneyeoutforit.Hullabazoobringstogetheradiversegroupofpeoplefromcampus,andthecommunitytounitearoundalocalizedeconomy,skilllearning,creativityandresilience.

AmountRequested:$1,480.89AmountAllocated:$1,480.89

2.MichiganMi-PlateGuidePrincipalInvestigators:AlannaTroyer,ElizabethPalmer.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:GaryBischof,PhD,interimChair,FCS.

Abstract:Sustainabilityinthefoodsystemisanimportantpartofresponsibleenvironmentalstewardshipasithelpspreservethehealthofbothlandandpeople.Consumingmorelocalandseasonalfoodscandecreasethedistancethatfoodtravels,reducingcarbonemissions.Decreasingthelengthoftimebetweenharvestandconsumptionoffoodcanalsoresultingreaterretentionofnutrients.Increasingnutritioninthefoodsupplyandreducingharmfulpollutionaretwowayswecansupportasustainablefoodsystem.ItisthereforeourgoalwitthisprojecttoincreaseWMUstudents’knowledgeofhowtoselectandprepareseasonalfoodsgrowninMichiganinordertopromotesustainability.

BasedonUSDA’sChooseMyPlatetool,weplantodesignandproducetheMichiganMi-PlateGuide,athree-foldbrochurewhichwillopenuptorevealadiagramofthestateofMichigandividedinto4quadrants,plustheU.P.,representingfivefoodgroups.TextwillincludelistsofMichiganfoodsfromthefourseasons,andfeaturehealthyuncomplicatedrecipesthatwillappealtostudentswithlimitedtimeandfinancialresources.Itwillalsoexplainhowtheirfoodchoicescanimpacttheenvironmentandlocaleconomyinadditiontotheirownhealth.Wehopethiswillencouragestudentstotrynewfoodsandcookmoreforthemselves.TheguidescanbedistributedthroughsitesfrequentedbyallstudentssuchasSindecuseHealthCenter,BernhardCenter,andtheStudentRecreationCenter.

AmountRequested:$1,800AmountAllocated:$1,800

3.SolarCarArrayOptimizationElectronicsPrincipalInvestigators:VincentKucwayandKarenHaubert.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:BradleyBazuin,ECEDept.Faculty

Abstract:Solartechnologyoffersoneofthemostpromisingpathstoafutureofsustainablepersonaltransportationwith100%renewable,zero-emissionpower.Thisprojectinvolvesoptimizingtheefficiencyofthesolararrayonanall-electricvehiclethroughtheevaluationandimprovementofthesolarchargingelectronics.Themostvitalsystemonasolarpoweredvehicleisthesolararray,whichservesasanenvironmentallyresponsibleenergysource.Whendesigningahighefficiencysolararray,anessentialconsiderationistheimplementationofasolararraysystem,amplifyingtheoverallenergyefficiencyofasolarpoweredvehicle.Thedesignandfabricationofsolarpoweredvehiclesactivelydemonstratesthecapabilitiesofsolarenergyforeverydaytransportation,promotingsustainableenergyuseandengineering.WiththeexpansionofthesecapabilitiesatWMU,students,aswellasthesurroundingcommunity,areabletoengageinthepromotionandadvancementofthesetechnologiesatamorerelatablelevel.Ourproposalfocusesonprocuringmultiplecustomelectronicsmodulesinordertoincreasetheefficiencyofoursolararray,thereforeexpandingthecapabilityofourteamtoreachpubliceventsthroughoutthecommunitywhilegrantinginvaluableexperiencetoourmembersthroughtestingandimplementationofthesedevices.


4.FilteredHydrationStationinWoodHall,ThirdFloorPrincipalInvestigators:ShaanaWayandNoraGimpel.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:BrianPeterson,AssistantProfessorEnvironmentalandSustainabilityStudies

Abstract:Over60millionplasticwaterbottlesaresenttolandfillsorareincineratedeachdayintheUnitedStates.Toreducethesedestructiveenvironmentalpractices,WMUendorsessustainableeffortsthatbenefitstudentsandfacultyalike.Severalbuildingsacrosscampushavehydrationstationsthatquicklydispenseclean,refrigeratedwaterthathasreducedmetallicelementsandimprovedtaste.Howeverwoodhalllackssuchan

apparatus.Thethirdfloorofwoodishometoseveralsciencedepartmentsthatendorsesustainableefforts,includingGEO,CHEM,BIOS,ENVS,andPSYdepartments.Thiskeylocationwouldgreatlybenefitthefacultyandstudentsthatoperateinthishigh-trafficareawhilesimultaneouslyraisingawarenessofWMU’ssustainabilityendeavors.Additionalbenefitsofthismodificationincludehands-freerefills,whichreducecontamination.FilteredwaterdrinkingfountainssuchastheElkayHydrationStationwilldiscouragepurchasingbottledwater,reduceplasticwaste,andrepresenttheuniversity’spublicandproactivepositiontofostersustainability.


5.InsectWallsandWorkshopPrincipalInvestigators:JaredAslaksonandKennethCrocker.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:StephanKeto.NaturalAreasandPreservesManager

Abstract:Inrecentyears,populationssuchasbeesandwaspshavebeendeclining.Althoughthereasonsforthesetrendsaremanifold,amajorcontributingfactorishabitatloss.Insects,particularlybeesandwasps,provideamajorservicethroughpollinationandplayanumberofrolesenhancingecologicalintegrityandstability.Althoughpollinationisassociatedprimarilywithhoneybees,solitarybeesandwaspsthatarenativetoMichiganprovidethesameservices.Additionally,theseinsectshaveaspecialrelationshipandareespeciallybeneficialtonativeplants.Tothatend,thisgrantwouldfuntheconstructionofthreeinsectwallsinadditiontoaconstructionandeducationalworkshopavailabletostudentsandthepublic.Insectwallsareconstructionsdesignedtoprovidehabitatfornative,solitarybeesandwasps.TwoofwhichwouldbeinstalledattheGibbsHouseproperty.ThethirdwouldbeinstalledatthecommunitygardenattheStadiumDriveapartments.Theselocationswouldbeidealsincebothhavevegetableandnativegardensthatwouldbenefitfromthepollinatingservicesprovidedbytheseinsects,includingafoodforestplannedattheGibbsHouseproperty.TheworkshopwouldbeheldattheGibbspropertyduringoneofthesummer

sessions,andwouldincludetheconstructionofthethreewallstobeinstalledoncampus,inadditiontominiaturewallsthatcanbetakenhomebyparticipants.Notonlywouldthisencouragebeneficialinsectpopulationsonandoffcampus,itwouldspreadtheuniversity’simageofcommitmenttosustainableagriculture.


6.PermanentRecycleSignsforWelcomeWeekPrincipalInvestigators:AdamWilliams.Faculty/StaffAdvisorDr.HeatherMcGee,Psychology

Abstract:Thebeginningofthenewschoolyearcanbeabusytimeforcollegestudents.Theuniversityhaslessthanaweektomoveallofthestudentsintothedorms.Toactmoreefficiently,theuniversityprovidesbigrecyclebinsinfrontofeachdormitory.Inthebeginningoftheyear,allthestudentshavebrandnewthingssuchaslaptops,TVsandrefrigeratorsthatarestillincardboardboxesthatcamewiththepurchase.WithinthesecardboardboxesthereisStyrofoam,plastic,bubblewrapandothermaterialsthatcanberecycled.Thebiggestopportunityforwastingandrecyclingiswhenthestudentsaremovingintothedorms.Thebinsthatareprovidedhaveinadequatelabeling,whichresultsinconfusionforthestudents.Onesolutionistoidentifywasteandrecyclerespectablebyhavingbigsignsinfrontofthemthatidentifywhattypeofwastegoesineach.Thisproposalhastheopportunitytoreducethelandfillwaste,andincreasetherecyclewasteduringmovingweekoncampus.Makingthesignsreusablewillalsoreducethestressandtimeputintomakingsignseachyearfortherecyclebins.Thisproposalwillhaveamajorimpactontheenvironmentalfootprintofourcampus


7.WesternStudentAssociationT-ShirtSwapGrantProposal

PrincipalInvestigators:ConnorSmith.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ChrisSligh

Abstract:Startinginthe2009-2010schoolyear,theWesternStudentAssociationdevelopedthet-shirtswapthattookapparelfromothercampuses,suchastheUniversityofMichigan,MichiganStateUniversity,etc.,andtradeditforabrandnewWMUshirt.Weareproudtobebringingthisprideinitiativebacktocampus;howeverthingsaregoingtolookalittledifferentthisyear.Wehavelearnedthatt-shirtscanbeprettyharmfulfortheenvironmentandalsonotallstudentshaveapparelfromotherschoolstoswap.TheWSAhasdecidedtopartnerwith“EarthWeek”togiveawaysafer,organicshirtstostudentsinexchangeforapledgetodosomethinggoodfortheenvironment.WewillalsoencouragethedonationofanygentlyusedclothingtogivetosheltersandorganizationswithintheKalamazoocommunity.

AmountRequested:$500AmountAllocated:$500

Spring2014StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$20,349.43Totalfundsallocated:$20,349.43

1.Hullabazoo:AcelebrationofDIY(DoitYourself)PrincipalInvestigators:JanetAladetohun.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:DonaldCooney,Departmentofsocialwork,KalamazooCityCommissionerAbstract:Hullabazooisadynamic,inclusive,horizontallyorganizedeventthatinvolvesall-daylocalmusic,alocalartisanmarket,andfreeworkshopsthroughouttheday.HullabazooisatruecelebrationofDIY(Do-it-Yourself)culture.Thiseventisintheheartofcampustowardthecloseofthespring

semester,onApril5th.Whilebudsandflowersareblooming,wewilluniteforourthirdannualHullabazootoprovideworkshopsontopicssuchaszinemaking,hand-madebookbinging,screenprinting,bicyclemaintenance,herbalismandapaneloflocalfarmers.Byprovidingworkshops,studentsleaveHullabazoowithnewskills,andasmallfireofinspirationintheirbelliestodothingsforthemselves,insteadofrelyingonsuperstoresandfossil-fueledcarculturetomeettheirneeds.TheWesleyFoundationofKalamazooisdonatingbuildinguseforthisprojectforthethirdyear.TheHullabazooistheexplosivefinalecelebrationattheendofafun-filled,socialjusticeorientedpeaceweek.whichbeginsonMarch29thandspansuntilApril5th.TheplanningorganizationisahubforstudentactivismonWestern’scampus.Weorganizestudentsaroundissuesofsocial,environmental,andeconomicjustice.Wehavecontinuouslymobilizedstudentsaroundissuesofpeaceandsocialjusticeforover30years.PeaceWeekisanannualspringeventoncampus,andpeoplekeepaneyeoutforit.Hullabazoobringstogetheradiversegroupofpeoplefromcampus,andthecommunitytounitearoundalocalizedeconomy,skilllearning,creativityandresilience.AmountRequested:$1,480.89AmountAllocated:$1,480.892.MichiganMi-PlateGuidePrincipalInvestigators:AlannaTroyer,ElizabethPalmer.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:GaryBischof,PhD,interimChair,FCS.Abstract:sustainabilityinthefoodsystemisanimportantpartofresponsibleenvironmentalstewardshipasithelpspreservethehealthofbothlandandpeople.Consumingmorelocalandseasonalfoodscandecreasethedistancethatfoodtravels,reducingcarbonemissions.Decreasingthelengthoftimebetweenharvestandconsumptionoffoodcanalsoresultingreaterretentionofnutrients.Increasingnutritioninthefoodsupplyandreducingharmfulpollutionaretwowayswecansupportasustainablefoodsystem.ItisthereforeourgoalwitthisprojecttoincreaseWMUstudents’knowledgeof

howtoselectandprepareseasonalfoodsgrowninMichiganinordertopromotesustainability.BasedonUSDA’sChooseMyPlatetool,weplantodesignandproducetheMichiganMi-PlateGuide,athree-foldbrochurewhichwillopenuptorevealadiagramofthestateofMichigandividedinto4quadrants,plustheU.P.,representingfivefoodgroups.TextwillincludelistsofMichiganfoodsfromthefourseasons,andfeaturehealthyuncomplicatedrecipesthatwillappealtostudentswithlimitedtimeandfinancialresources.Itwillalsoexplainhowtheirfoodchoicescanimpacttheenvironmentandlocaleconomyinadditiontotheirownhealth.Wehopethiswillencouragestudentstotrynewfoodsandcookmoreforthemselves.TheguidescanbedistributedthroughsitesfrequentedbyallstudentssuchasSindecuseHealthCenter,BernhardCenter,andtheStudentRecreationCenter.AmountRequested:$1,800AmountAllocated:$1,8003.SolarCarArrayOptimizationElectronicsPrincipalInvestigators:VincentKucwayandKarenHaubert.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:BradleyBazuin,ECEDept.FacultyAbstract:Solartechnologyoffersoneofthemostpromisingpathstoafutureofsustainablepersonaltransportationwith100%renewable,zero-emissionpower.Thisprojectinvolvesoptimizingtheefficiencyofthesolararrayonanall-electricvehiclethroughtheevaluationandimprovementofthesolarchargingelectronics.Themostvitalsystemonasolarpoweredvehicleisthesolararray,whichservesasanenvironmentallyresponsibleenergysource.Whendesigningahighefficiencysolararray,anessentialconsiderationistheimplementationofasolararraysystem,amplifyingtheoverallenergyefficiencyofasolarpoweredvehicle.Thedesignandfabricationofsolarpoweredvehiclesactivelydemonstratesthecapabilitiesofsolarenergyforeverydaytransportation,promotingsustainableenergyuseandengineering.WiththeexpansionofthesecapabilitiesatWMU,students,aswellasthe

surroundingcommunity,areabletoengageinthepromotionandadvancementofthesetechnologiesatamorerelatablelevel.Ourproposalfocusesonprocuringmultiplecustomelectronicsmodulesinordertoincreasetheefficiencyofoursolararray,thereforeexpandingthecapabilityofourteamtoreachpubliceventsthroughoutthecommunitywhilegrantinginvaluableexperiencetoourmembersthroughtestingandimplementationofthesedevices.AmountRequested:$6,321.74AmountAllocated:$6,321.744.FilteredHydrationStationinWoodHall,ThirdFloorPrincipalInvestigators:ShaanaWayandNoraGimpel.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:BrianPeterson,AssistantProfessorEnvironmentalandSustainabilityStudiesAbstract:Over60millionplasticwaterbottlesaresenttolandfillsorareincineratedeachdayintheUnitedStates.Toreducethesedestructiveenvironmentalpractices,WMUendorsessustainableeffortsthatbenefitstudentsandfacultyalike.Severalbuildingsacrosscampushavehydrationstationsthatquicklydispenseclean,refrigeratedwaterthathasreducedmetallicelementsandimprovedtaste.Howeverwoodhalllackssuchanapparatus.Thethirdfloorofwoodishometoseveralsciencedepartmentsthatendorsesustainableefforts,includingGEO,CHEM,BIOS,ENVS,andPSYdepartments.Thiskeylocationwouldgreatlybenefitthefacultyandstudentsthatoperateinthishigh-trafficareawhilesimultaneouslyraisingawarenessofWMU’ssustainabilityendeavors.Additionalbenefitsofthismodificationincludehands-freerefills,whichreducecontamination.FilteredwaterdrinkingfountainssuchastheElkayHydrationStationwilldiscouragepurchasingbottledwater,reduceplasticwaste,andrepresenttheuniversity’spublicandproactivepositiontofostersustainability.AmountRequested:$7,500AmountAllocated:$7,500

5.InsectWallsandWorkshopPrincipalInvestigators:JaredAslaksonandKennethCrocker.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:StephanKeto.NaturalAreasandPreservesManagerAbstract:Inrecentyears,populationssuchasbeesandwaspshavebeendeclining.Althoughthereasonsforthesetrendsaremanifold,amajorcontributingfactorishabitatloss.Insects,particularlybeesandwasps,provideamajorservicethroughpollinationandplayanumberofrolesenhancingecologicalintegrityandstability.Althoughpollinationisassociatedprimarilywithhoneybees,solitarybeesandwaspsthatarenativetoMichiganprovidethesameservices.Additionally,theseinsectshaveaspecialrelationshipandareespeciallybeneficialtonativeplants.Tothatend,thisgrantwouldfuntheconstructionofthreeinsectwallsinadditiontoaconstructionandeducationalworkshopavailabletostudentsandthepublic.Insectwallsareconstructionsdesignedtoprovidehabitatfornative,solitarybeesandwasps.TwoofwhichwouldbeinstalledattheGibbsHouseproperty.ThethirdwouldbeinstalledatthecommunitygardenattheStadiumDriveapartments.Theselocationswouldbeidealsincebothhavevegetableandnativegardensthatwouldbenefitfromthepollinatingservicesprovidedbytheseinsects,includingafoodforestplannedattheGibbsHouseproperty.TheworkshopwouldbeheldattheGibbspropertyduringoneofthesummersessions,andwouldincludetheconstructionofthethreewallstobeinstalledoncampus,inadditiontominiaturewallsthatcanbetakenhomebyparticipants.Notonlywouldthisencouragebeneficialinsectpopulationsonandoffcampus,itwouldspreadtheuniversity’simageofcommitmenttosustainableagriculture.AmountRequested:$1,672.80AmountAllocated:$1,672.806.PermanentRecycleSignsforWelcomeWeekPrincipalInvestigators:AdamWilliams.

Faculty/StaffAdvisorDr.HeatherMcGee,PsychologyAbstract:Thebeginningofthenewschoolyearcanbeabusytimeforcollegestudents.Theuniversityhaslessthanaweektomoveallofthestudentsintothedorms.Toactmoreefficiently,theuniversityprovidesbigrecyclebinsinfrontofeachdormitory.Inthebeginningoftheyear,allthestudentshavebrandnewthingssuchaslaptops,TVsandrefrigeratorsthatarestillincardboardboxesthatcamewiththepurchase.WithinthesecardboardboxesthereisStyrofoam,plastic,bubblewrapandothermaterialsthatcanberecycled.Thebiggestopportunityforwastingandrecyclingiswhenthestudentsaremovingintothedorms.Thebinsthatareprovidedhaveinadequatelabeling,whichresultsinconfusionforthestudents.Onesolutionistoidentifywasteandrecyclerespectablebyhavingbigsignsinfrontofthemthatidentifywhattypeofwastegoesineach.Thisproposalhastheopportunitytoreducethelandfillwaste,andincreasetherecyclewasteduringmovingweekoncampus.Makingthesignsreusablewillalsoreducethestressandtimeputintomakingsignseachyearfortherecyclebins.Thisproposalwillhaveamajorimpactontheenvironmentalfootprintofourcampus7.WesternStudentAssociationT-ShirtSwapGrantProposalPrincipalInvestigators:ConnorSmith.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ChrisSlighAbstract:Startinginthe2009-2010schoolyear,theWesternStudentAssociationdevelopedthet-shirtswapthattookapparelfromothercampuses,suchastheUniversityofMichigan,MichiganStateUniversity,etc.,andtradeditforabrandnewWMUshirt.Weareproudtobebringingthisprideinitiativebacktocampus;howeverthingsaregoingtolookalittledifferentthisyear.Wehavelearnedthatt-shirtscanbeprettyharmfulfortheenvironmentandalsonotallstudentshaveapparelfromotherschoolstoswap.TheWSAhasdecidedtopartnerwith“EarthWeek”togiveawaysafer,organicshirtstostudentsinexchangeforapledgetodosomethinggoodfortheenvironment.Wewillalsoencouragethedonationofanygentlyused

clothingtogivetosheltersandorganizationswithintheKalamazoocommunity.AmountRequested:$500AmountAllocated:$500Fall2013StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$15,386.45Totalfundsallocated:$13,936.45

1.ReinvestmentinourWMUCommunityGarden

PrincipalInvestigators:WestonHillierandScottWarner.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ToddBarkman,AssistantProfessor,DepartmentofBiologicalSciences.

Abstract:InthisproposalweseektopromoteacampuscultureofsustainabilitybyreinvestingintheStadiumDriveCommunityGardenin2014.ManagementwillbeconductedbyStudentsforaSustainableEarthandBioClub(Dept.ofBioSciences).Theseorganizationshavealonghistoryoncampus,valuesustainabilityandalreadyhaveastakeinthecommunitygarden.Througheducationalworkshops,communityevents,collaborativeworkandprovisionofaspaceforgrowingfood,weseektospreadthespiritofsustainablefoodproductionandpreservationthroughoutcampusandtothewidercommunity.Theever-growingawarenessoffoodsimpactonouthealth,communityrelationships,andeconomicsisevidentrighthereinKalamazooinmanywonderfulways.Specifically,KVCChasproposedtobuilda$42millionstateoftheartfoodsustainabilityandwellnesscampusrightdowntown.WewanttoseeWMUcontinuetotakeactionontheseimportanttopicsasotherinstitutions.

Thecommunitygardenhasbeenwellestablishedsince2010,whenitwasfoundedasaStudentGardenOrganizationproject.Stewardshippassedtothe

OfficeforSustainability(OfS)in2012,whomaintaineditthroughthe2013season.AstheOfSPreparestobuildaproductiongardenattheGibbsHouse,theyarereadytopassthecommunitygardenmanagementovertointerestedstudentorganizations.Assustainability-mindedorganizationswithlotsofinternalinterest,BioClubandSSEarelogicalsuccessorsinthisendeavor.

OurbudgetingseekstoreflectWMU’scommitmenttobeingleadersinecologicalandculturalsustainability.Byusingorganicmethodsfreeofsyntheticchemicalsfortheneedoftransportationandpackaging,wewillsetanexampleofecologicalresponsibility.Throughcomprehensiveplotpromotion,wehopetogainculturaldiversityamongparticipants,whichwillfacilitateanexchangeofuniqueplantvarietiesandofsustainablefarmingpractices.Takentogether,wehopetobringWMUtotheforefrontoflocalandsustainablecampus-basedfoodproduction.


2.RedesignedHydraulicBicycleForTheChainlessChallengePrincipalInvestigators:LuisMoralesandJuanHernandez.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:JorgeRodrigues,Ph.D.,MBA.AdvisorDepartment/Program:IndustrialandManufacturingEngineeringAbstract:Oneaspectthatisextremelyimportantinsustainabilityallovertheworldistransportation.Developedsocietieshavecometodependontransportationtohaveeconomicandsocialstandards,butwithouttheproperattentiontotheenvironment.AHydraulicbicycleisachainlessbicyclethattransferspowertothepedalsbymeansofaliquidpassingthroughtubesfromhydraulicpumptohydraulicmotorandback.

Duetodemandforenergyefficiencyandenvironmentallyfriendlytransportation,weareseekingtoimprovethehydraulicanddrivetraindesignforincreasedenergyutilizationandregeneration.Alsotovalidatetheefficiencyinsimulatedcompetitionconditionsandforthefirsttime,todesignandfabricatetheframeofthebike,duetopreviousissues,suchaspacingforvalves,pedals,hoses,etc.Thegoalofthisinventionistoprovideadrivemechanismthatcouldbemuchmoreefficient.Allmechanicalelementsofthisdrivemechanismthatrequirelubricationarefullyenclosedandthuseliminateallthewellknowndisadvantagesofcurrentdrivechains;namely,exposedgreaselubricatedchainswiththepotentialofstainingandjammingcloths,lowdrivingefficiencyandhighmaintenancerequirements.Addedadvantagesare,aconsiderablyimproveddrivingefficiency,simplifiesdrivewheelchangeout,asimplerframedesignandzeromaintenanceonanydrivecomponent.Inadditiontotheefficiencygainthemechanicaldrivecomponents,isconfirmedthatthedriveergonomicsofthisnewdrivecouldbebetterthanaconventionalbicyclecrankdrive.Thereisnopenalty,whencomparedtoaconventionbicyclecrankdrive.Theproposedprojectcomplementsthedesignandfabricationofthetransportationvehicle;itdevelopsanimplementationplantousesuchvehiclesinWMUcampus.Thesecanbeconsideredasawonderfulinitialsteptowardshavingacampuswidecultureintermsofalternativenon-motorizedvehicles.AmountRequested:$4,750AmountAllocated:$4,7503.Assessmentandmanagementplanforthedwarfhackberry,savannaremnantandurbanforestatWesternMichiganUniversityPrincipalInvestigators:DeanSimionescu,BruceHowe.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:SteveKeto,NaturalAreasandPreservesManager

Abstract:Recentlyadwarfhackberry(Celtistenuifolia)wasdiscoveredgrowingonasandyhillsidelocatedonWesternMichiganUniversity(WMU)propertynexttotheStadiumDriveapartmentcomplex.Theecosystemwherethisuncommontreespeciesidgrowingisreminiscenttoapre-settlementsavanna,nownearlyabsenttotheKalamazooarea.Astudydon’tbyWMUresearchersbasedonoldU.S.PublicLandSurveyinformationwereabletocreateamapshowingvegetationinKalamazoocountyduringthe1820’s.thenewdatashowsthatthisspotliesattheconvergenceofwhatwasbelievedtobeanoaksavannaandburroakopeningbeforesettlersbegantotransformthelandscape(AppendixA).Thisurbangreenspacehassandysoilandmaintainsamixofdenseforest,woodlandandopensavannaarea.Sincethediscoveryin2010ofC.TenuifoliabyDr.ToddBarkman,moreindividualshavebeenidentifiedontheland.ThistreespecieshasbeenrecordedinMichiganonly30times(populationsandindividuals)in6differentcountiessince1974andmakesthisfindingthefirstinKalamazooCountytoberecorded(MNFI).InMichiganC.Tenuifoliaisclassifiedunderspecialconcernstatusandisconsidered‘rareoruncertain’yetisnotlegallyprotected.ThelandsitsonthelowerslopesoftheremnantsoftheKalamazooPsychiatricHospital,holdinghistoricvaluebutalsoactsasanimportantareaforthenaturalstormwaterdrainage.ThisurbangreenspaceisanimportantaspecttostudentslivingintheStadiumDriveapartments,thecommunitygardenandtheoverallaestheticappealthatWMUprovidestoitsstudentsanditscommunity.AtreeinventorywasdonewithaGPSunitandapointdatacollectionwithanewmobileapplicationbyAvenza(Figure6).Thedatawillbeevaluatedwithspatial-temporalanalysisGIStechniques.ThisreportwillhighlightC.Tenuifoliaandtheecologyofthesavannaremnant,drawouttheinterconnectednessofthispropertywiththeUniversityasawhole,andlayoutamanagementplantopreserveandimprovethelandinaccordancewiththeWMUTreeCarePlanandPolicystandards(AppendixG).AmountRequested:$4,212.57AmountAllocated:$4,212.57

4.ReducingWesternMichiganUniversity’sCarbonFootprintPrincipalInvestigators:ChristopherA.Roth.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:DuaneHampton,Geosciences.Abstract:Greenhousegasses,wheninouratmosphere,trapheatandincreaseglobaltemperatures.Over50%ofthesegreenhousegasemissionsareintheformofCO2andgenerallycomefromcoalorgas-firedpowerplantsandvehiculartraffic.WiththeEPAedgingtowardnewtaxesonpowerplantsthatdumpgreenhousegassesintotheatmosphere,andconsideringthatWesternMichiganUniversity(WMU)generatesallofitspowerbyburninggas,itisfinanciallyaswellasenvironmentallyimportantforWMUtofindawaytolimititscarbonfootprint.CarbonsequestrationisanupcomingtechnologythatcouldbeusedtoreduceCO2emissionscreatedbythedeepsalineaquiferthathasbeenprovenreliableinthestorageofwastematerials.ThisprojectwillfocusonthecreationofasteadystateCO2sequestrationmodelthatcanbeusedtoestimatethestorageefficiencyoftheMt.SimonAquifer.MoneyfromthisgrantwillbeusedfortheapplicanttoreceivepropertrainingincreatingthismodelusingGEM.Uponcompletionofthisresearch,WMUwillhaveavalidestimateofthesequestrationefficiencyoftheunderlyingaquifer.Inadditiontoenvironmentalbenefits,asEPAstandardsbecomestricter,itisimportantthattheuniversityispreparedtolimitandreduceitscarbonfootprintbeforeitbecomesataxableissue.AmountRequested:$1,450AmountAllocated:$05.RainWaterCollectionFeasibilityStudyPrincipalInvestigators:KyleSimpson.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:notidentifiedAbstract:thisStudentSustainabilityGrantwillevaluatethepotentialforimplementingrainwatercollectionsystemsacrossWesternMichiganUniversityproperty.Areasincludedinthestudywillbe:MainCampus,

OaklandCampus,ParkviewCampus,StudentHousing,TheOfficeforSustainability,andtheGibbsHouse.Themethodswillincludein-depthresearchintoexistingandpriorart,implementationofsimilarprogramsandstructuresintheUnitedStatesandabroad,potentialfiltrationandsterilizationtechniques,potentiallegalconsiderations,andcostevaluationsforfutureimplementationtothespecificareasmentionedprior.Thisfeasibilitystudywillbeconcludedwithatechnicalpaper,reviewingaforementionedmethodsandconclusions,andaPowerPointpresentationofthestudy’sresultstoanyinterestedparties.Thisstudywillnotyieldanyphysicalstructuresbythetimeofcompletion,butwillinsteadserveasafundamentalbaseforfutureconsiderationsinthisareaofresearchwhileeducatingthelocalcommunity.Rainwatercollectionisabundantthroughoutmanypartsoftheworld,andformanyitistheonlysourceofportablewater.WMUcurrentlypipesinallthewaterthecampususesviathecitymains,whichcomeswithbothamonetarycostandacosttotheenvironment.Kalamazoowaterhasawell-deservedreputationforbeingun-ideal,duetotheslewofcontaminantsthataredetrimentaltolocalhuman,animal,andenvironmentallife.Rainwateroftencontainslesscontaminantthanpipedcitywater,althoughisstillpronetoproblemsofitsown.ThisfeasibilitystudyforarainwatercollectionprogramandnecessarystructuresatWMUoffersamoreself-reliant,self-sustainable,andapotentiallyhealthierandmorecost-effectivesolution.AmountRequested:$0AmountAllocated:$0Spring2013StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$35,050.70Totalfundsallocated:$35,050.70

1.WMUPlantPolicyInitiative

PrincipalInvestigators:KarmaHassellandJohn-LukeD’Ambrosio.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ScottSmith,AssistantProfessor,Geography.

Abstract:TheadvancementofsustainabilityonthecampusofWesternMichiganUniversityisaneffortthatbenefitsallmembersoftheUniversitycommunity.Newsustainableprojectsandinitiativesareprevalentandcanbeseenatthislevelinmanycapacities.Thisproposalprovidesanoutlineofasustainabledesignprojectthatwillresultinanincreaseinthebiophilicelementsseenoncampus.Increasingtheamountofplantswithinindoorenvironmentshassustainablebenefitsthatarerealizedinmanyways.Associatedresearchshowsthatplants-filledbuildingscontainasubstantiallylessamountofair-bornemoldandbacteria.Researchhasalsoshownpositivebenefitsastoplants’abilitiestopurifytheairofindoorpollutantssuchasCO2andBenzene.ThisproposaloutlinestheinstallationofindoorplantsinsideasmallareaofWoodHall.ThecurrentabsenceofanysuchplantinstallationinWoodHallmakesthisprojectawell-suitedfitforsuchproposal.UsingwallmountedplantsaswellasaBalconera(box)planters,thissimpleinitiativewillestablishapresenceof“greenness”inWoodHallthatiscurrentlyabsentandwillbenefitallwhoworkandstudythere.Asideformtheenvironmentalandhealthaspectsofsuchgreeninstallations,thisprojectwillsubstantiallyincreasetheaestheticsassociatedwithWoodHall.Thoughthisaspectoftheproposalitisthehopeoftheauthorsthatthisprojectwillprovideforanincreasedawarenessofsustainabilityoncampusthoughexposureandknowledgeofsuchsustainableprojects.


2.HighEfficiencyLow-FlowShowerheads

PrincipalInvestigators:DanielNowakandMayraYatAguilar.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ScottSmith,AssistantProfessor,Geography.

Abstract:WaterconsumptionintheUnitedStatesisamongthehighestaroundtheworld.Americansuseroughly43billiongallonsoffreshwatereveryday.WesternMichiganUniversityisnoexceptiontothistrend.LookingfornewwaystoreduceourcarbonfootprintiswhatWMUisallabout.Thisproposedpilotprojectaimstodojustthat.ByrenewingtheshowerheadsofBrittonandHadleyHallsinthefallof2013withlowflowshowerheads,we

plantoshowthatwithlittlecosttotheuniversitywecanmakeasubstantialdifferenceinourmovetowardsthegoalofWMU’s5-yearcomprehensivemasterplanforyear2014-2018.Withtheimplementationofthepilotproject,weexpecttosave2,592,000gallonsofwaterannuallywithjust150lowflowshowerheadswithanoutputof1.5gallonsperminute(GPM)asopposedtothecurrentshowerheadsthataverage3.0GPM.Withthehighestdensitylivingsituationsforoncampusliving,thispilotprojectwouldcostroughly$3,800,anextremelysoundinvestmentasitwouldbeabletopayitselfbackwithinayearbasedonenergysavings,reductionincarbonemissionsandwaterconsumptions.


3.ApicultureTrainingInstallmentforContinuedHorticulturalResearch

PrincipalInvestigators:NicholasWikarandWestonHillier.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:Dr.LawrenceJohnConnor,FounderofWicwasPress.

Abstract:WithourproposalwearetryingtosetupanapiaryhorticultureresearchinstallmentonWesternMichiganUniversity’sproperty.TheproposalwasauthoredbythemembersofSSEasacollaborationwiththeOfficeforSustainability,BiologicalSciencesDepartment,LandscapingServices,andtheEnvironmentalStudiesDepartment.Thoughthisresearch,weaimtobuildupontheOffice’sexistinggardenspaceandfuturegoalofapermaculturesystem.Beesplayavitalroleinmanybiologicalsystems,specificallyaspollinators.

Weareverypleasedtohavetheopportunitytoworkalongsideouradvisor,Dr.LawrenceConnor,whoisaworld-renownedentomologist,author,andpublisher.WithaBachelorsofScience,MastersofScience,andaPH.DfromMichiganStateinEntomology,Dr.ConnorwillhelpfosteraworkingrelationshipbetweenthestudentresearchersandtheBiologicalSciencesandEnvironmentalStudiesDepartmentofWesternMichiganUniversity.Ouraimwillbetointegratethisresearchinstallmentintothefuturecurricula,with

specialeventsopentobothundergraduateandgraduatestudents,aswellasthecommunity.Thoughtheemploymentoftrain-the-trainereducationaltechniques,itisourhopethatisprojectwillbealong-termopportunity,forindividualstosharethematerialsandrotatethroughouttheyearstoensureincreasedapicultureliteracy.Theseeducationalopportunitieswillincludedirectbeehivemaintenance,microscopiclabanalysisofbeeanatomy,andtheexplorationofthepotentialbenefitsofharvestableresourcessuchashoneyandproposesformthehives.


4.“IAMWMU”T-ShirtSwap

PrincipalInvestigators:NicoleDavenportandChristineDavenport.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ChrisSligh,DirectorofStudentActivitiesandLeadershipPrograms.

Abstract:Eachyear,WesternMichiganUniversitystudentsareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoreceivet-shirtsthatproudlypromotetheuniversity’sorganizationsandcampusprogramming.Thesebasict-shirtsbeingdisburseddonotadequatelyrepresentWMU’ssustainabilityinitiatives.WeproposefortheWesternStudentAssociation(WSA),thestudentbodyrepresentation,toinitiatethechangetoamoreeco-friendlyt-shirtbeingprovidedbyWestern’scampus.ThiswillbedoneonApril17,2013,whereWSA’sStudentPrideCommitteewillfacilitatea“T-ShirtSwap.”Onthisday,anystudentwillhavetheopportunitytoexchangeeitherapparelfromanotheruniversityormakeadocumentedpledgetobemoresustainableforaneco-friendlylong-sleeve“IAMWMU”t-shirt.ThisexchangewillserveasanexampleforWesternMichiganUniversitythatstudentsareacknowledgingthatbasict-shirtsarenotsustainableforthelong-termmissionofthisUniversityandinitiatethediscussionforeco-friendlyt-shirtsanormalrequirementforthiscampus.


5.OfficeforSustainabilityGreenWall

PrincipalInvestigators:EliseCraftsandCurtisAardema.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ScottSmith,AssistantProfessor,Geography.

Abstract:ThisproposaldetailsthedesignandimplementationofagreenwallonthewesternexterioroftheOfficeforSustainabilitybuilding.Agreenwallinthislocationwillhavemanybenefits,including:reducedair,noise,andwaterpollution;reducedheatingandcoolingcostsfortheOfSbuilding;andincreasededucationalopportunitiesforallWMUandnon-WMUpeopleswhoutilizetheHowardStreetandWestMichiganAvenuecorridorsandassociatedpublicrealm.UsingarecycledtrellisprovidedbyWMULandscapeServicesorothermaterial,thedesignwillincorporaterainwaterharvestingadjacenttothewall.TheprojectplantingmaterialswillbedetermineduponcollaborationwiththeDepartmentofBiologyandEnvironmentalStudiestooffereducationalopportunitiesaswellasnativespeciesplantselection.Additionally,theDepartmentofFineArtswillbeconsultedforfinalprojectdesignthatisbothaccessibleandinformativetoadiversepopulation.Landscapeserviceswillprovideongoingmaintenanceincludingwatering,pruning,andgeneralrepairasneeded.


6.TheForum[Amphitheater]DesignInitiative

PrincipalInvestigators:AnthonyHaduchandBrandyMorgan.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:ChrisSligh,DirectorofStudentActivitiesandLeadershipPrograms.

Abstract:TheForum[Amphitheater]DesignInitiativeisaspecialprojectdrivenentirelythroughstudentefforts.WorkingwithadministratorsofWesternMichiganUniversitytorepurposetheamphitheaterspace,locatedinthecenterofDunbar,Knauss,andFriedmanHall.Currently,thisareahasnodefineduse.Weasastudentbodyareworkingtowardfurtherdefiningitspurposeasalocationforoutdooreventstobeheld.Thepurposeofthisgrantrequestistoobtainfundingtofullyimplement“stageone”ofthecosmeticrenovationtotheamphitheatereventspace.

“Stageone”ofthiscosmeticrenovationwillconsistofaWMUstudent

designedmural,brownandgoldtapestry,andassortedvegetationtobringlifetothespace.Sincethisvenueismeanttobeapointofprideforouruniversity,student(s)fromoutartprogramwillfacilitatethedesignofthemural.Thisstageofimplementationwillusetheartisticthemeof“WesternValues”.TheseartisticallyrepresentedvalueswillembodywhatitmeanstobeastudenthereatWesternMichiganUniversity:academics,studentinvolvement,diversity,universityprideand,ofcourse,sustainability.Therewillbeaprofessionalconsultantprovidedbyfacilitiesmanagementtomonitortherealisticapproachtowardthecompletionofthemural.

Duetothetimingofthisgrantapplication,weareunabletorequestfundingforthesuppliestodesignthemural.Instead,weareaskingthatthesustainabilitygrantspecificallyfundtheessentialfinishingtouchestoenhancethespace.Theseitemsarethoselistedasassortedplantlife,includingourUniversityFlowertheBrown-EyedSusan,aswellas,WMUthemedtapestrythatwilloverhangacrossthetopoftheamphitheater.Ifthisbudgetisapproved,wewillbesuretopurchasethemostsustainableanddurablefabricfortheuseofthisdesign.FacilitiesManagementhastheresourcestosortthroughvendorsthatwillfitthemissionofthissustainabilityinitiative.


Fall2012StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$13.269.00Totalfundsallocated:$13,269.00

1.Aquaponics/BlackSoldierFlyLarvae/Vermicomposting

PrincipalInvestigators:BrianBalconiandTylerShelton.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:JorgeRodriguez,AssociateProfessor,IndustrialandManufacturingEngineering.

Abstract:Aquaponicsisafoodproductionsystemofthatcombineshydroponics—growingplantswithoutsoil,andaquaculture—fishfarming.

Fishwastewaterisutilizedasanutrientsourceforplantsgrowninmedia,andplantfilteredwateristhencycledbacktothefish.Specifically,bacteriaconvertfisheffluentammoniaintonitrogenthatisplantsolubleasnutrients.Aquaponicsisadevelopingtechnology,gainingmomentuminfoodproductionwithouttheuseofsyntheticchemicals.Weintendtoexpanduponaquaponicsbyincorporatingvermicultureandblacksoldierflylarvae.Pre-consumerorganicfoodwastecanbedirectlyfedtowormsinvermicomposting.Vermicompostingconvertsthisfoodwasteintonutrient-richcastings.Castingscanbeappliedtoagardenorusedasmediaforrootingouraquaponicsplants.Aportionofthewormswillbeusedasfishfeedintheaquaponicssystem.Blacksoldierflylarvaewillconsumelipidsandfatsthatthewormscannot.Thelarvaewillproduceablackresiduethatisverypalatablefortheworms.Thewormsthenfurtherconverttheresidueintowormcasts,whilelarvae/flyproteinwillbeusedasfishfeed.CurrentlytheOfficeforSustainabilityistransitioningintoapermacultureapproachoffoodproduction.Inpermaculturesystemsthinkingishighlyvalued.Theincorporationofthesystemsabovewillallowforresearchintocomprehensivewastemanagement.Thissystemwillalsoallowustoresearchanalternativetoenergyandpollutionintensiveindustrialagriculture,whichisamajorcontributortocurrentglobalclimatechange.


2.AlternativeEnergyVehicles,MakeitFun! PrincipalInvestigator:BaxterGill.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:JorgeRodriguez,AssociateProfessor,IndustrialandManufacturingEngineering.

Abstract:Transportationisatopicofextremeimportanceinsustainabilityeffortsallovertheworld.Societyhascometodependontransportationinordertohaveeconomicandsocialstandards,butitsdependenceonfossilfuelsisthelargestnegativeeffectontheenvironment.Fortunatelytherehavebeenstrongeffortsintheareaofalternativeenergies,likeelectricandsolarvehicles,andintheareaofenergystorage,likeflywheels.Weareproposingthedesign,fabricationandbenchmarkingofvehicles(go-karts)thatusethese

technologies.Onevehiclewillhavethecapabilitytooperatewithelectricand/orsolarenergy,andthesecondonewithastandardgas-engine,butwithamodificationtoincludetheflywheelconcept.Twogoalsarepursuedwiththisproject,thatthesevehicleswillbeusedtoi)benchmarkperformancesunderdifferentconditions,andII)showcaseduringstudenteventstoraiseawarenessaboutsustainabilityandalternativeenergies,inafunway.Everyyoungpersonisattractedtodrivingandcompetition,andtheseuniquevehicleswillbegreateducationaltoolsbecausestudentswillhavetheopportunitytoexperimentwiththeminfutureprojects,andatthesametimetheywillbegreatengagingdevicesthatwillcaptureyoungmindsandwillputthatseedaboutsustainabilityandalternativeenergiesintheirbrains.ThegroupofstudentsproposingthisprojecthavebeeninvolvedwiththeSAEBajaandFormulacompetitions,andfirmlybelievethattheimpactthatthesevehicleswillhaveintheCollegeandWMUwilleventuallybereflectedintheglobalenvironmentbecausetheyhavelearnedaboutgreentransportationwhilehavingfun.


3.UrbanTransportationTricyclePrototypeUsingaSustainableOpenSourceDesign

PrincipalInvestigators:AdamHillandMichaelRobinson.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:DavidMiddleton,SeniorInstructor,IndustrialandManufacturingEngineering.

Abstract:Bicyclingisanincrediblyefficientmeansoftransportation.Whencyclingatrelativelyfastspeeds,itisthemostefficientformoftransportation,moreefficientthananautomobileorevenwalking(Exploratorium,2012).Thus,experimenting,improving,andcultivatingawarenessofdifferentcyclingoptionsisagreatmethodofincreasingourlevelofsustainabilityoncampusandinthecommunity.Weproposetobuildanurbantransportationtricycleinordertoprovidealternativeoptionsoftransportationtostudentswhileexploringdifferenttechnologiesthatcanassistthesemethodsoftransportation.Ourdesignteamwillbuildarecumbenttricycleframeusing

rawmaterialsandmaterialsfromotherbicycles;itwillbelightweight,haveroomforstorage,andbeusableinadverseweatherconditions.Thisprototypewillserveasaplatformtowhichothertechnologiescanbeaddedtoimprovefunctioningandtoexplorealternativetransportationoptions.Ourelectricalengineeringteamwillbeoutfittingthebikewiththefirstofthesetechnologyoptions–anelectrichubmotorsystemandahydrogenfuelcelltoprovidethevehiclewithcleanpowertoassisttheriderandextendtherangeofitsuse.Whenfinished,theplanswillbemadeavailableforfreeasanopen-sourcetoanystudentorcommunitymemberwhowishestoconstructasimilarvehicle.Somewhatsimilarvehiclesareavailableonthemarkettodaybutareimpracticalduetotheirhighcostorweight.Ideallyourtricyclecouldbemadeforcomparativelylittlemoney,thusbecominganaffordableoptionforastudenttobuildandusefordailycommuting.


Spring2012StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$11,648.59Totalfundsallocated:$10,928.00

1.PrototypeofaHybridSolarUpdraftTower

PrincipalInvestigators:JosefImeschandAdamHaslinger.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:JorgeRodriguez,AssociateProfessor,IndustrialandManufacturingEngineering.

Abstract:ThisprojectinvolvesthedesignandfabricationofaprototypeHybridSolarUpdraftTower(HSUT).Thistowerusesthesun’slighttocreateenergythroughtheuseofagreenhouse,chimney,andturbine.Thesunshinesontothegreenhouse,heatingtheairwithin.Concentrationtechniqueswillbeutilized(Hybrid)byhavinglensesmountedontopofthegreenhousetofocuslightontomirrors.Thesemirrorswillthenredirectthelightontothetower,wherehotairwillriseanddriveturbinestocreateelectricity.Solarupdraft

towershavebeentriedbefore,withmixedresults,butnoneofthemutilizedlensesandmirrors.Thisnewdesignwillbemoreefficientand,hopefully,competitivewithotherformsofgreenenergy.Greenenergyisgrowingmoreimportanteverydayaspowerplantsspewmoreandmorepollutionintoouratmosphere.ThistowerisanothersteptowardunderstandingthecapabilitiesofafullsizeHSUT,andwillbeusedasaproof-of-concept.Wecurrentlyhavesolarpanelsandawindturbineoncampus.TheadditionofaprototypeHSUTwouldshowastrongercommitmenttobecomingamoresustainablecampus.Tothebestofourknowledge,wewouldbetheonlycampuswithaprototypeofsuchatower.Thiswouldsetusapartformotheruniversities.Thisprototypewouldbeusedtoencouragecurrentstudentstobecomeinvolvedinsimilarprojects.ItwouldalsobeusedasashowpiecetogetperspectivestudentsmoreinterestedincomingtoWMU.


2.BotanyClub

Abstract:BotanyClubisbasedaroundgivingtheWMUpopulationachancetolearnandgrowplantsinastudentleddiscussionabouthowandwhattodo.UsingthemoneygiventotheRSOthegoalwillbetohelpstartandsituatetheclubinitsfinances;givingtherightenvironmentandsuppliesnecessarytothrive.

AmountRequested:$720.55AmountAllocated:$0.00

3.NewStudentOrientation:StridesTowardBecomingSustainable

PrincipalInvestigators:AnthonyHaduchandBrianDonahue.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:SteveBooher,OrientationCoordinator,First-YearExperience.

Abstract:TheFirst-YearExperienceProgramismovingtowardmakingchangeswithinitsprogramstobecomemoresustainable.Ourprogramsinteractwithallincomingfirstyearstudentsandtheirfamilies.Withtheseinteractionsweareabletoprovideaproperfirstimpressionthatstudentscan

anticipatewhileattendingWesternMichiganUniversity.Asanoffice,weareadaptingourprogramstoutilizemoresustainablepractices.Throughthisproposalanexplicationofshiftingfromplasticponchostodurableandreusableumbrellaswillbemade.AdiscussionofhowthiswillenhancetheenvironmentofWesternMichiganUniversity,aswellashowourdepartmentplanstoexpresstheimportanceofthesustainabilityeffortsatbothourprogramsandtheUniversityareprogressingtoward.

AmountRequested:$3,125.00AmountAllocated:$3,125.00NOTE:AlthoughthisabstractreadsasthoughtheproposalcamefromaWMUdepartment,itwasauthoredbyanundergraduatestudentandsupportedbyagraduatestudentinkeepingwithSSGfundingguidelines.

4.CarbonNeutralUSB-Drives–RSOFinancial PrincipalInvestigators:IzaakBlankenstijnandMeredithAtchison.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:KateBates,AssistantDirector,StudentActivities&LeadershipPrograms.

Abstract:TheRSOFinancialWorkshophasbeenconductedformanyyearsforstudentsandRSOsthatapplyforSSG,WSA-AC,GFAC,andSCCfunds.Eachacademicyear,RSOsandothergrantreceiversarerequiredtoattendthisworkshop.Traditionally,duringtheseworkshopsmandatoryreadingmaterialshavebeenhandedoutinpaperformatofapproximately36-40pages.WithfundingfromtheSSG,studentsthatattendtheseworkshopswillreceivethesereadingmaterials,paymentforms,sampleforms,samplecontracts,presentation,RSOHandbook,etc.,inelectronicformatviaaCarbonNeutralUSB-DrivemadepartiallyfromhardwoodfromaFSCcertifiedsource.Thispotentiallyreducestheamountofink,electricity,andpaperforthisprojectbyover15,200pagesperacademicyear,thusfurtherincreasingthesustainabilityoftheUniversityanditsundergraduateandgraduatestudents.TheUSB-DriveswillbearalogoorotheracknowledgementindicatingthatthisprojectwasfundedbytheSSG-AC,hencepromotingandbringingawarenesstothecultureofsustainabilityatWMU.


Fall2011StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$45,830.00

Totalfundsallocated:$31,803.00

1.PrototypeofaDual-PurposeAssistedHPTransportationVehicleforCampus

PrincipalInvestigators:KevinW.Peabody,ShaneAmbler,RyanMass,andBillBurd.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:JorgeRodriguez,AssociateProfessor,IndustrialandManufacturingEngineering.

Abstract:Sustainabilityhasbecomeoneofthebiggestissuesinthelastdecade.Aspecificaspectofextremeimportanceinsustainabilityistransportation.Developedsocietiesarehighlydependentontransportationforeconomicandsocialstandards,butwithoutattentiontotheenvironment.Weareproposingthedesignandfabricationofaprototypeofadual-purposeassistedhumanpoweredtransportationvehicleforcampususe.Itwillbeaprototype,sinceitwillbeasingleunitthatwillserveasaproof-of–concept,itisdual-purposebecausethegoalauxiliarypowercapabilitiestofulfillrequirements,anditisavehicle,whichimpliesatthispointthatitwillbe“somethingthatmoves”,thealternatives(ie.,2-,3-,or4-wheelvehicles)willbeevaluated,andthefinalvehiclewillfulfillsafetyandroadregulations.Theproposalconsidersaswelldevelopinganimplementationplantousesuchvehiclesoncampus.

Theplanforthedesignwillfollowastandardengineeringdesignprocess,andthebudgetcoversmainlymaterialsandcomponents.Thisproposalcanbeconsideredasawonderfulinitialsteptowardshavingacampuswideinitiativeintermsofvehicles,andanadditionalstepthatsupportsexistinginitiativesoncampus(e.g.,borrowabike)orinthecommunity(e.g.,bikepaths).Thebenefitsforsustainabilityoncampusaregreat,byshowingfun,healthyoptions,itisexpectedthatmorepeoplewillbeinvolvedandeventuallythe

campusculturewillchange.Wejustneedsupporttogettheballrolling.


2.Vermicomposting:ReducingWasteandPromotingSustainability

PrincipalInvestigators:DeanSimionescuandJohnW.LeeFaculty/StaffAdvisor:MatthewHollander,CoordinatorofSustainabilityProjects,OfficeforSustainability.

Abstract:Vermicompostingisamethodofconvertingorganicwasteintoanaturalfertilizerusingmicrobesandearthworms.Thismethodofwasteconversionhasgainedpopularityacrosstheglobeforitsecologicalandeconomicalbenefits.Asfoodwasteisconsumes,wormsproduceexcrement,calledcastings,whicharefurtherbrokendownbymicrobes.Thesecastingsprovidenutrientsforplantstogrowlargerandyieldsmoreproduceandcanevenhelpdeterpestsandinsects(Perumalsamy).Thecastingsareoftenturnedintoacomposttea,whichcanthenbesprayedforeasyapplication.Thereisalreadyongoingresearchoncampusforcompostteausinga150-gallonbrewerlocatedattheGibbshouse.ThecompostteaproducedwillbeusedbytheStudentGardenOrganization(SGO)andwillallowustoexplorethepotentialforbusinessandmunicipalintegration.Establishingasmall-scalevermicompostfacilityoncampuswillallowstudentstolearntheprocessesthatcomprisedecomposition;,allowforexperimentstofurtherexploreandexpandthelimitsofvermicompostcapabilitieswhileproducingasupernutrient-richfertilizer.


3.UsedBikeRentalProgram

PrincipalInvestigators:BrianOswaldandZachWaasSmith.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:JohnSchmitt,BusinessConsultant,HaworthCollegeofBusiness.

Abstract:InorderforWMUtoincreaseitssustainability,itmustreduceits

carbondioxideemissions,onethirdofwhichcomefromtransportingalone(Bessey,Braman,Davis,2010).Whiletheuniversityismakinggreatstridestowardreducingcarbonemissions,moremustbedoneinthewayoftransportationreorganizationifWMUhopestobecomealeaderinsustainability.Cyclingisnotonlyasustainablemodeoftransportation,butitpromotespositivehealthandphysicalconditionofriders,improvesairquality,requiresverylittleinfrastructure(comparedtocars),andcontributestosocialinclusion(Grabrowandothers,2011;Engbers,Hendriksen,2010).STEED,aregisteredstudentorganization(RSO)atWMU,focusesontheadvocacyofNon-motorizedtransportation(NMT)througheducationandempowerment.TheBikeStable,whoworksdirectlywithSTEEDoffersin-shopservicessuchasmaintenance,repaireducation,andtoolaccessibility.TheBikeStablehasalreadymadeaheadwaytowardabicyclerentalprograminOCTOBERof2011TheBikeStableworkedwithWMUPublicSafetytoselect8bikesfromPublicSafety’scollectionofabandonbikeswhicharenowboundforeventualrental.However,thecomponentsonthebicycleshavebecomeveryweatheredandrusted.WhileTheBikeStablewillworktoreuseandsalvageanyusablepartsonthebikes,manyofthecomponentswillrequirereplacementtoensuresafeoperationofthebikes.ThegoalofthisprojectistoworkwithTheBikeStabletoprovideabicyclerentalprogramtoexpandservicesbeyondthephysicalconfinesofouron-campusshop.

AmountRequested:$4,996.69AmountAllocated:$5,096.69(SSG-ACallocated$100additionalfundingforprogrampromotion)

4.IncreasingRecycling:Prompts&ResponseEffort

PrincipalInvestigators:KathrynKestner,ElianAljadeff-Abergel,andYannickSchenk.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:StephaniePeterson,AssociateProfessor,Psychology.

Abstract:ThepurposeofthisstudyistotheeffectivenessoftwointerventionsforincreasingappropriaterecyclingandtrashsortinginWoodHall.Thefirstinterventionwillusevisualprompts/cuesappearingortheexistingrecyclingandtrashstationsinthehallwaysonthefirstandsecond

floorsofWoodHall.Thesepromptswillincludemoredetailedwaste-sortinginformationinordertoincreaseappropriaterecyclinganddecreaseinerrors.Thesecondinterventionwillbetheadditionoflidsontopofexistingclassroomtrashcanstoincreasetheeffortofthrowingmaterialintoclassroomtrashcanstoencourageindividualstoinsteadchoosethelesseffortfulresponseofusingtheopenrecycling/trashcentersinthehallway.Anadditionalpromptwillappearontheclassroomtrashcansto;indicatetherecyclablematerialsshouldbedisposedofintheappropriatecansinthehallway.Therearenorecyclingreceptaclesintheclassrooms;individualsusingthecentersinthehallwaywillcomeintocontactwiththeopportunitytorecycle.Ourhypothesisisthatprovidingdetailedwastesortinginformationinthehallwayreceptacleswillincreaseappropriatesortingwhilereducingerrors.Wehypothesizethattheadditionalcomponentofincreasingtheresponseeffortinvolvedintheuseoftheclassroom’strashcanswillfurtherincreaseappropriaterecyclingandwastedisposal.


5.EarthHour2012

Abstract:EarthHourhasbecomeaglobalmovementthatraisestheawarenessofsustainabilityinamonumentalfashion;thereisnoothereventworldwidethatbringssomanypeopletogethertosupportsustainability(currently1.8billion).Whiletheymightnotphysicallybetogether,weareunitedasoneforthisonetimeayearwherepeopleallovertheworldarefightingforthesamecause,sustainability.

Surprisinglythecitywethinkhasproventimeandtimeagaintobeafrontrunnerinmodernizationandinnovationhasletthisspringeventslipthroughtheirfingers,butit’stimethatEarthHouranditsfollowersinhabitKalamazoo.

EarthHourtakesplaceonMarch31,2012at8:30.Atthistimethelightsgooff,andImeanthisliterally.ThegoalofthiseventistopowerdowntheENTIREcity,thatmeanscars,buses,businessesandanythingelsethatusesenergy.Duringthishourafestivalisheldtocelebratethegenerousactthatis

takingplace,tocometogetherasacommunityandofcoursetofillthevoidthatourtechnologydrivenlivesaremissingwithoutinstantconnectivity.

AmountRequested:$9,990AmountAllocated:$0.00

6.RSOFinancialWorkshopUSB-Drives

Abstract:TheRSOFinancialWorkshophasbeenconductedformanyyearsforstudentsandRSOsthatapplyforSSG,WSA-AC,GFAC,andSCCfunds.Eachacademicyear,RSOsandothergrantreceiversarerequiredtoattendthisworkshop.Traditionally,duringtheseworkshopsmandatoryreadingmaterialshavebeenhandedoutinpaperformatofapproximately36-40pages.WithfundingfromtheSSG,studentsthatattendtheseworkshopswillreceivethesereadingmaterialsinelectronicformatviaUSB-Drive.Thispotentiallyreducedtheamountofpaperforthisprojectby15,200pagesoveracademicyear,thusfurtherincreasingthesustainabilityoftheUniversityanditsundergraduateandgraduatestudents.

AmountRequested:$4,137.00AmountAllocated:$0.00

7.2011StudentGardenOrganizationGrantProposal PrincipalInvestigators:WilliamH.DerouinandKevinMartini.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:MatthewHollander,CoordinatorofSustainabilityProjects,OfficeforSustainability.

Abstract:AsWesternMichiganUniversity’sStudentGardenOrganization(SGO),ourproposalrepresentsthecontinuationandexpansionofcurrentlyexistingsustainabilityprojectsassociatedwithWesternMichiganUniversity’sgardensattheGibbHouseandonStadiumDrive.WeseektocreateopportunitiesforstudentsandKalamazoo-arearesidentstobecomebettereducatedaboutsustainableoptionsforfoodproductionthroughdirect,activelearningexperiences.Atthesametime,wewillbedevelopingandmaintaininggardenscapableofsupplyingWMUcateringserviceswithsustainablygrownproduce,withyear-roundprovisionofherbsmadepossiblethroughcollaborationwiththeFinchgreenhouse.Additionally,weseektocreatea

conservationareatoprotectnativeMichiganbiodiversity,whileprovidingarelaxingandinvitingatmosphere,conductivetocommunityoutreachprograms,includingeducationaleventsandactivities.Ultimately,ourgoalsaretoincreaseoverallsustainabilityatWMUandexpandedoutreachtoalargersegmentofWMU’sstudentpopulation.


8.TheCampusBeet’sWeeklyMeal PrincipalInvestigators:BrianBalconiandMichelleTomasko.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:MatthewHollander,CoordinatorofSustainabilityProjects,OfficeforSustainability.

Abstract:TheCampusBeetisaninitiativetobeginastudent-ledcaféonWesternMichiganUniversity’scampus.TheCampusBeetwillfocusonprovidingsustainable,healthyfoodchoicesandprovidingmenuitemsthatcatertospecialdietaryneeds.TheCampusBeetwillattainthesegoalsthroughsourcingfoodfromlocaland/ororganicvendors,planningmenusthatreflecttheseasonalityofproduceontheregion,collaboratingwithon-campusfarminginitiativestosourceitems.Menuitemswillcatertoglutenand/ordiary-intolerances,aswellasgainanddemonstratecompetenceinregularlypreparingandservingfoodfromalicensedkitchen.


Spring2011StudentSustainabilityGrantProposalsTotalfundsrequested:$22,308.58

Totalfundsallocated:$19,384.581.EvaluationofUniversityResidenceHallsonUtilities

Abstract:Thepriceofutilitiescontinuestoclimbthroughouttheworld,anditisnodifferentforon-campusresidentsofWesternMichiganUniversity.With

costsconstantlyrising,universitiesarebeingforcedtoraisethepriceofstudenthousingtomatchthedemandsofgrowingenergycosts.However,Ibelievewecancurvethedemandincostincreasesbygivingmoneybacktonearly5,000studentswhochoosetoliveininuniversityresidencehallsannually.Ifthese5,000studentsarecontributing$8persemester,theyarecontributing$80,000annuallytowardstheSustainabilityFund.Someofthismoneyshouldbeallocatedforthesustainableimprovementofresidencehalls.Thisresearchwouldlookforwaystoefficientlydecreasetheamountofenergyconsumedbyon-campusresidentsthroughalternativeenergyresources,suchaswindturbines,highefficiencylightbulbs,solarpanels,orothermoresustainablemethods.Theresearchwillincludethecosttoimplementsuggestedimprovements,estimatedamountofmoneythecommunitywouldsaveonutilities,andstudentresponsetosuggestedimprovements.

AmountRequested:$2,834.00AmountAllocated:$0.00

2.CampusBicycleCooperative

PrincipalInvestigators:ZacharyWaasSmithandJacobHuizenga.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:HaroldGlasser,ExecutiveDirector,OfficeforSustainability.

Abstract:OverathirdofWesternMichiganUniversity’stotalgreenhousegasemissionsaretheresultofgasoline-poweredtransportation.InordertolessentheimpactoftransportationcarbonemissionsandimproveWMUsustainability,WMUneedstoinvestinalternativetransportationoptions.Acampusbicyclecooperativeisoneoftheseoptionsandisanessentialsteptowardadvancingcampusbicycleinfrastructure.ThisprojectwillnethefirstefforttoestablishabicyclecooperativeatWMU,butnotthefirstatanyuniversity;thereareseveralverysuccessfulcampusbikeco-opsinexistenceacrossthecontinentwhoseeffortshavecontributedtothestructuraldevelopmentofthisco-op.Thisco-opwillfocusonbicyclemaintenance,repair,education,accessibility,andpromotingthebicycleasamodeoftransportation.Moneyfromthisgrantwillsupportthepurchaseofnecessarytools,promotionalefforts,andoperationalstructure(computers,staff,

signage,officematerials,etc.).Studentswillworkcollaborativelytooperatethecampusbikeco-op,andthisgrantwillaugmenttheirsuccess.ThisgrantwillimproveWMUsustainabilitythroughtheameliorationofinfrastructureforalternativetransportationoptionsavailabletoWMUfaculty,staff,andstudents.


3.FreeStore/ShareSpaceInfrastructure

Abstract:Overthepastthreeyears,IhavebeentryingtoformulateanalternativeconsumercommunityaswellasutilizethecreativeandthriftypopulationofstudentsonWMU’scampus.ThisprojectofaFreeStore/ShareSpacewouldmeanthattherewouldbeapermanentlocationfortheseitemsandideastothriveandbeexchanged.Inordertodothat,Ineedaminimalamountofinfrastructurefororganizationandaesthetics.Tentatively,thisspacewillbeinafewOfficesinthebasementofFaunce;tworoomsfordisplay,andoneroomforstorageandorganization.Alloftheseroomswillneedshelvingunits,clothingracks,andhangers.

AmountRequested:$540.00AmountAllocated:$540.00(conditional)NOTE:TheproposalauthorfailedtomeettheSSG-AC’sallocationconditions.Fundswerenotdisbursed.

4.TheCampusBeetOpenHouse

PrincipalInvestigators:AmeliaStefanacandCalebOliver.Faculty/StaffAdvisor:MattHollander,CoordinatorofSustainabilityProjects,OfficeforSustainability.

Abstract:TheCampusBeetisaRegisteredStudentOrganizationthatisworkingtowardsbuildingastudent-ledcafé.Thisinitiativeisinaresponsetoagrowingneedforstudentstohaveasourceforlocalandsustainablefoodsoncampusthatfittheirdietaryneeds,aswellasaneedforasocial,creative,andco-curricularoutletonWestern’scampus.Werecentlycollaboratedwith

diningservicesanddieteticsinterstoholdamenu-tasteeventthatwaswellattendedandthoroughlyenjoyed.Withthefeedbackonrecipesfromthateven,weplanonmakingimprovementsthroughmini-tastesheldoncampuseveryotherweek.AfterworkingintheBernhardkitchenforthemenutest,wedecidedonpiecesofequipmentnecessarytomakethispossibleandeasethestressofproductiononsuchamassscale.OnApril8th,wewillshowcasethevisionforthiscaféthroughafinalizedandperfectedmenu,alongwithmusicalguestspoetryandfictionreadings,filmscreenings,andvisualart,allofwhichdisplaythevarioustalentsofWesternstudents.Therewillbeavideographertodocument,promote,andshareoureffortsthroughouttheUniversitytofurtherillustratethesuccessofthisinitiative.


Documents

SSG web narratives spring 2016 - wmich.edu...Title: SSG web narratives spring 2016 Author: Derek Created Date: 1/21/2016 10:45:47 PM