Merritt & Thakur ULV 2003

GROUP PROJECT
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Case Analysis: ULV Campus as a Managed Ecosystem

ULV Mission Statement:

Attached is the Mission Statement for the University of La Verne. Using this statement as a frame of reference, the class will investigate those management policies, procedures, and practices that address natural resource management, pollution reduction, and education for environmental sustainability. You will be working together in small groups. As with the first project, each group will submit a written report including your group norms and analysis of group processes and give an oral presentation. Through further class discussions, the findings and recommendations of all groups will be integrated.

Suggested Topics and Categories:

Natural Resource Conservation and Pollution Reduction

1. Analysis of energy management at ULV
   (E.g., heating, cooling, lighting, electronic communication)
2.  Analysis of waste management at ULV (choose 1: A, B, C or D).

   A. Solid waste that can be reduced, reused, or recycled.
   (E.g., Paper products, Green waste, Food waste)
   B. Solid waste that cannot be prevented, reused, or recycled.
   C. Hazardous waste
   (E.g. Science lab chemicals, Photo lab chemicals, House-cleaning chemicals, Pesticides, Auto maintenance and repair waste, Air conditioning coolant, Asbestos).
   D. Procurement practices that could minimize waste of resources.
   (E.g., Recycled paper, Recycled floor coverings)
    

3. Analysis of water use management at ULV.
    
4. Analysis of on-campus and commuter transportation policies, procedures, and use at ULV.
    

Promoting Ecosystem-Appropriate Biodiversity and Aesthetic Quality
 

1. Analysis of soil and plant communities management on the ULV campus.
   
   Educating for Sustainability (A, B & C represent one topic)
   A. Availability of opportunities for ULV students and faculty to:
   A. Explore "…a philosophy of life that supports the health of the planet and its people."
   B. Gain an "… appreciation of biodiversity [and an understanding of] …the impact/dependence of human beings on their environment."
   C. "…experience the responsibility and rewards of serving the human and ecological community."
    

Overall Project Guidelines:
 

• Select one of the above numbered project topics (or an instructor- approved alternative) for your group.
• Characterize current institutional management operations in your topic area by addressing the following:
  A. Identify departments/sectors and personnel directly involved in your topic area.
  B. List the short-term goals regarding resource management or curriculum that guide these personnel in their work.
  C. Indicate how these short-term organizational goals relate to the ULV mission.
  D. Describe the resources the University has identified and allocated to accomplish these goals (personnel, financial, etc.)
  E. Discuss plans/policies/procedures currently in place to accomplish these goals.
  F. Decision-making: Describe the ways direct and/or indirect decisions are made to accomplish these goals. Use examples, if possible.
  G. Describe any motivational techniques used to accomplish these goals.
  H. Discuss how well do you think the University is doing in accomplishing those aspects of its mission addressed in your project?
  I. Control processes (assessment, corrective changes, etc.) currently in place to accomplish these goals:

1. Describe the types of data and other information collected by program administrators to assess effectiveness and to take corrective action. (Present some specific examples and how they are obtained.)
2. Identify any types of data and other information that would be useful, but are not available, for assessing effectiveness and for improving practices. (Discuss specific examples and suggestions for obtaining them.)
3. Feasibility Study: Groups addressing topics 1-5 will propose a specific change in resource management practices on campus. You will conduct a, pilot-scale study assessing the feasibility of your suggestion for enhancing the health of the ULV campus ecosystem. Groups addressing topic 6 (Educating for Sustainability) will propose a specific change in curricular policy or practice at ULV. For details and suggestions, see handouts, " Some examples of changes…" and " Guidelines for assessing the feasibility…”

I. Suggest changes, if any, that should be made in ULV’s overall management practices to move toward a more environmentally sustainable campus management process.
J. Recommend, if needed, any new or modified goals for the University for the next five years/twenty-five years.