Our team can't achieve IU's sustainability goals alone. You can contribute to these efforts by using the campus as a living laboratory of sustainability with ample opportunities to collect real data and develop real solutions.
The following list of projects could be suitable for a class project. research project, or capstone/thesis. If you'd like to answer any of these research questions, please reach out to us at sustain@iu.edu for additional information.
Where are IU's Carbon sinks? What's their health? Are they saturated, growing? What's their risk of releasing carbon?
Campuses: All
Keywords: land management, tree campus, GHG
Assessment of ability to claim offsets of existing tree assets on owned real estate.
Campuses: All
Keywords: land management, tree campus, GHG
Assessment of current facility operation practices vs LEED O+M standards. How far away is IU from potentially pursuing certification?
Campuses: All
Keywords: operations, maintenance, LEED, GHG
Expansion of power down campaign to full academic year - dates and projected impact based on historical efforts. How to communicate, expectation setting with campus users.
Campuses: All
Keywords: behavior change, scheduling, energy
Inventory of LED lighting, type, and age.
Campuses: All
Keywords: LED, lighting, energy efficiency, inventory
Inventory of Air Hander Units (AHU), type, and age.
Campuses: All
Keywords: HVAC, energy efficiency, inventory
Analyses of building pressurization and thermal loss.
Campuses: All
Keywords: buildings, energy efficiency, GHG
Mapping of invasive species in actively managed university landscapes; transition planning, landscape design, cost, operations and maintenance differences.
Campuses: All
Keywords: land management, tree campus, landscape
What species are located on campus? What species should IU cultivate in which areas? What management practices need to be implemented to support that cultivation? How does USDA Zone change affect these plants? Native plant care guide/training for Grounds team.
Campuses: All
Keywords: biodiversity, tree campus, landscape
What soil microbes are found in campus soil? What plants do these microbes synergize with? What applications (fertilizer, rain levels, etc.) impact microbe health? How do they influence what we plant and where?
Campuses: All
Keywords: soil, microbiology, landscape
What incentives are available for non-campus, IU Foundation owned land to be managed in a nature or climate positive way?
Campus(es): All
Keywords: land management, climate, incentives
How can IU canopy cover intersect with external goals and/or funding opportunities? Topics include water, tree species/prevelance, wildlife habitat. External partners include EPA, IN DNR, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service.
Campuses: All
Keywords: land management, trees, biodiversity
Based on literature review and case studies, how can trees improve energy efficiency on campus and what areas should be prioritized for new plantings? Heat island effect impact on campus.
Campuses: All
Keywords: energy efficiency, buildings, trees
Understanding ridership patterns and numbers; setting goals within certain distance boundaries of campus + targeted interventions within those boundaries; bike rack capacity; bike counting sensors.
Campuses: All
Keywords: bikes, transportation
Waste audit on food types wasted in dining halls.
Campuses: All
Keywords: food, waste, dining
Mapping of campus waste stream - how collected, by who, how/if hauled, end destination, contracted vendor, etc.
Campuses: All
Keywords: waste, recycling
Investigation of rain garden -eligible areas for water management and reduced mowing needs. Identify water-retaining places around campus.
Campuses: All
Keywords: landscape, stormwater
Develop management Protocol for Invasives: Callery Pear, Poison Hemlock
Campuses: All
Keywords: landscape, trees, invasive species
Total cost of ownership own vs lease grounds equipment (including maintenace knowledge & repair time)
Campuses: All
Keywords: fleet, landscape, transportation
Carpool, Campus Commute restart? improving carpool and Campus Commute financial analysis
Campuses: all
Keywords: transportation, carpool
Improved GIS Mapping or aerated areas, tree mulch application; extra tree inventory data such as leaf on/off tracking, blooming times, mapped against GIS tree inventory.
Campuses: All
Keywords: landscape, trees, GIS, inventory
Data capture of events & materials sharing, what are barriers to hosting a green event; creating engaging green teams + ongoing training for unit champions.
Campuses: All
Keywords: green teams, education
Videography
Campuses: All
Keywords: media, videography,
What are we serving in Athletic concessions? How can we optimize for the success of our patrons in terms of disposing their waste?
Campuses: All
Keywords: athletics, waste, recycling, food
What IU suppliers are impacted by California's CARB Disclosure Rules + SEC reporting?
Campuses: All
Keywords: reporting, business, procurement
What are the recruitment opportunities related to climate and Climate action? (Students & Employees)
Campuses: All
Keywords: climate, sustainability, recruitment
Waste audit and characterization-- what are throwing away? How can we reduce what we throw away? Are there certain materials we should switch to of certain products?
Campuses: All
Keywords: waste, recycling, procurement
Survey of diners on campus - do they want/will they buy sustainable options? Why or why not? Impact of pricing on meal plans/dining options? Vendor capabilities?
Campuses: IUB, IUI, IUSB, IUE
Keywords: food, dining, procurment
