Student Research Moves Sustainability Forward in Residences

For the past several years Residential & Dining Enterprises Student Housing has managed dozens of student sustainability interns and has partnered with different academic departments to perform research in residences related to student behavior and facility efficiency.

A thermal comfort and lighting study performed by students at the Stern residence has resulted in upgrades to the complex that provide individual control over the in-room heating system, LED lighting, and double-paned windows, which will achieve energy savings. As a result of these projects, Student Housing received over $60,000 in rebates from Stanford Utilities.

A first-of-its-kind lighting study was performed in 35 student rooms across 12 residences, looking at the use and relationship of overhead, task, and natural light in conjunction with student behavior.

A group of senior engineering students collected over 500 student surveys on waste corral sorting practices and did on-site review of behavior at waste corrals. Their results are influencing signage standards, dumpster layout, and even new features to be piloted in 2017, such as box breakdown and hand sanitizer stations.