Infrastructure/facilities: How can we improve our buildings, landscaping, operations (dining, waste, offices), on campus and in connection w/ the city? by John Bansavich

Microgrid

2023-03-04 01:57:06 UTC

From Jalel Sager in Energy Systems Management: Develop an initial pilot project for a renewable energy microgrid. The pilot can provide learning opportunities for students and the community. Longer-term, develop an on-campus microgrid to provide campus energy.

Integrate sustainability into USF master plan

2023-03-04 01:59:18 UTC

USF is currently drafting its master plan, which documents infrastructure and facilities plans, and documents features (like enrollment) likely to impact the community. We could draft sustainability goals for the plan to guide investments over the next 10 years.

Invest in campus-wide energy efficiency retrofits

2023-03-04 02:02:58 UTC

Increase the pace of energy efficiency retrofits. To finance the retrofits, we could explore new benefits under the Inflation Reduction Act as well as financing mechanisms offered by energy efficiency companies, who allow long-term payment from bill savings.

Have students involved in landscaping

gkuperus — 2023-03-04 02:33:09 UTC

We have an amazing Architecture and Design program. Why not engage those students in helping with this? Maybe even give them a space to work in that's not a windowless basement.

2023-03-09 23:15:29 UTC

Reduce food service packaging

2023-03-27 20:01:38 UTC

Reduce use of plastic packing for single serving items (salad and sandwiches in the main Dining Hall)
Increase use of compostable packaging
Go back to reusable, washable ceramic plates

Forward facing public art projects

2023-03-27 20:04:11 UTC

Engage with community to develop and create murals, etc. linking to social justice and environmental health

Improve heating and climate control systems in schools

2023-03-27 20:04:56 UTC

For example, Cowell Hall is overheated during the winter time

Improve and expand the spaces, and USF community feel, at additional locations.

2023-03-27 20:10:15 UTC

USF's additional campuses are a part of USF and do not have access to simple things that the main campus does. For example, Sacramento has not outdoor space, while the Orange County campus has a great outdoor space, but no place within walking distance for students to get food or something to drink on their breaks. While our campuses do try to provide a sense of community within our location's walls, the students do not feel very connected to USF as whole. Even as simple as adjusting language from to be inclusive can make a big difference. For example, the title of this board asks about THE city and THE campus, but USF is in several cities with two additional campuses, several locations that partner with community colleges for particular programs, as well as people across the globe representing and recruiting for USF.

Increase access of facilities managed compost bins.

2023-03-28 20:09:33 UTC

There are no composting bins in kitchen areas near staff/faculty offices. More people are likely to compost if the facilities are already there.

Allow people to use their own reusable take out containers in the cafeteria.

2023-03-28 20:20:21 UTC

There could be an incentive such as a small discount for those who order take out but bring their own container. Dining in isn't always an option for those with busy schedules and current take out containers cost 75 cents.

Transform the South-facing lawns of Lone Mountain into an urban food forest and demo garden

2023-03-30 04:47:59 UTC

* No longer would we waste valuable water to maintain vast lawns;
* We can use the food to feed our students, especially those suffering from serious-to-sever food insecurity;
* It could/would be a massively collaborative project, cutting across academic units like architecture, design, environmental studies, environmental science, urban agriculture, and nursing as well as other units like CAPS and HPS; and
* With its incredible public location on Turk, it could be the premier demonstration garden in San Francisco, allowing our students, faculty, and staff to share our collective knowledge with the community, and fostering all kinds of positive PR.

Water reuse on campus

2023-03-30 05:25:14 UTC

Use recycled water to water lawns and landscaping. This could be a project students are involved in planning for or making educational signage for. This could be piloted in a certain area near a dorm or the caf.

Link to Masonic East and teaching

2023-03-30 05:31:05 UTC

In the experiential learning labs planned for Masonic East, incorporate infrastructure labs to learn about the corrosion of pipes, point of use water treatment, and green infrastructure to reduce runoff.

Create comprehensive sustainability plan

2023-04-03 18:03:03 UTC

USF's climate action plan is a decade old, and it doesn't address all aspects of sustainability.

Make the switch from disposable to reusable in the Cafeteria.

2023-04-04 19:34:42 UTC

We have compostable containers and utensils currently, which is better than plastic, however, still contributes to a lot of waste production. A 2017 study done at USF, by ReThink Disposables (ReThink Disposable Pilot_USF Report_FINAL_7.25.17.pdf) found a reduction in cost and waste, so it is a win for USF and the Earth.

USF should include an inventory of materials it uses

2023-04-04 19:38:38 UTC

Provide details about the paint used on our buildings, the pots/pans in the cafeteria should be non- stick, focus on non-toxic materials and get rid oh anything hazardous or can damage our environment.

Non-Native Species in Landscaping

2023-04-04 19:40:17 UTC

Many plant species (trees, grasses, shrubs) used in landscaping may be native to CA, but are not native to our local environment. Grounds keepers can be seen ripping out old vegetation and planting new flowers and shrubs that die out/stop flowering on a regular basis throughout the year.

Empty Space available in the Main Caf. for food pantry

2023-04-04 19:41:11 UTC

Pre-pandemic there was a sushi station in the main cafeteria, in the Southeast corner. It has been empty since campus re-opened and is a great space to have our food pantry. Currently, the food pantry provides their services from our library
atrium, and a lot of people aren’t aware they go on. We should centralize our food services for convenience, accessibility, and food pantry promotion. We have hungry students at USF which is unacceptable, and our food pantry is a great resource that needs help to function to the best of its ability.

Eliminating water bottles

2023-04-04 19:44:15 UTC

Eliminate bottled water (plastic, cartons, and aluminum) by increasing presence of water fill-up stations across all buildings on our campus(es)

Create a fridge magnet in each dorms

2023-04-04 19:51:51 UTC

USF should create a small fridge magnet that will be put on each fridge in student's rooms with sustainability tips to raise awareness and to reduce waste in the dorms.

Helping Hungry Students.

2023-04-04 19:54:33 UTC

Adding portion sizes with corresponding prices (half serving= half the cost of current full portion price) would help students stretch their flexi, as some run out completely before the end of the semester, would potentially reduce food need/cost for USF, would help reduce food waste and help combat student hunger, which is a big environmental justice issue.

Enforcing Shared Governance

2023-04-04 19:54:55 UTC

Increasing shared decision making in large scale infrastructure decisions that affect all campus. See: top down decision to place artificial (plastic) turf glass next to church that was not shared with any stakeholders.

2023-04-07 04:07:14 UTC

Partner with Re-Volv: a nonprofit whose mission is to fund nonprofits going solar.

I just heard that USF has plans to install Astro-turf outside of the church building on USF grounds. Is anyone aware of this and is anyone aware of how terrible for the environment using AstroTurf is? I hope that there is a way to stop USF from purchasing plastic to lay on the ground and moving forward with this plan.

2023-05-08 21:25:57 UTC

2024-02-14 01:13:35 UTC

The buildings we build need to be LEED certified!

Support Climate-Friendly Food Choices

2024-02-26 19:08:06 UTC

Plant-based foods are more ecological, humane, and just. USF should make plant-based foods the default for campus events and increase plant-based offerings in dining facilities.

2024-03-21 19:08:13 UTC

More native plants, living laboratories, energy efficiency and reduce waste!

USF can have accesible emissions data

2024-03-21 19:12:10 UTC

USF claims to be carbon neutral, there is not a ton of accesible information regarding USFs emissions. If USF had a database with this information or even if they were more transparent about their emission data, it would be beneficial to the faculty & students studying these matters, it would also contribute to the Jesuit mission. Lastly, it would allow students and faculty to find ways where we can further improve & plan ahead for our mission of being carbon neutral.