Student Projects

THRS 324 Religion and Ecology

The following projects are from students in THRS 324 Religion and Ecology taught by Dr. Gary Chamberlain and Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda in Fall Quarter 2007.  This project is a joint endeavor of the Theology and Religious Studies Department, the Environmental Studies Department, and the Campus Sustainability Manager.  The group projects are a way in which upper class Seattle University students may bring their experience, expertise, and creativity to bear on the profound moral crisis of ecological degradation. And it is as an opportunity for exploring the deep interface between religion and ecology, and for furthering the mission of Seattle University.

Disposable Dishware Waste at Cherry St. Market
Bon Appetit provides ceramic dishes, reusable plastic cups and metal utensils for customers who buy food from the Cherry St. Market and eat it in the Student Center.  However, many people who eat in the Student Center instead choose plastic utensils and paper dishes.  Research a pilot project with the goal of increasing the use of reusable dishware.
Final group paper

Disposable Dishware Waste at the Hawk's Nest Bistro
The original design of the Bistro included a dishwashing station.  During design the dishwashing station was removed to reduce the initial capital costs of the Student Center's construction.  The Bistro serves food on paper plates and cups which could be composted and plastic utensils and smoothie cups which cannot be composted or recycled; both are put in the trash along with napkins and straws.  Write up your recommendations on how to reduce disposable dishware waste at the Bistro.
Final group paper

Five Gallon Plastic Water Bottles
Most faculty and staff drink cold and hot water from five gallon water bottles that are delivered to campus.  Write up your recommendations on which type of water Casey building occupants should be drinking (bottled, filtered, tap) based on an analysis of triple bottom line costs.
Final group paper

Single Serve Water Bottles
Corporations are privatizing our water, bottling it and selling it back to us at prices hundreds of times what tap water costs. According to the Container Recycling Institute, less than 15 percent of single serve size water bottles get recycled. Write up your recommendations on how to reduce the number of single serve water bottles consumed on campus. 
Final group paper_Chamberlain
Final group paper_Moe-Lobeda

Paper Use
Write up your recommendations on how to increase the frequency of printing on both sides of paper and decreasing paper consumption in a campus department or all the occupants of one building.
Final group paper

Comparative Campus Sustainability Assessment
Compare Seattle University's sustainability practices (what SU does well, where SU falls short) to other West Coast, small, private, faith-based universities.
Final group paper_Chamberlain
Final group paper_Moe-Lobeda

Single Occupancy Vehicle Trips to and from Campus
Even with all the programs and incentives SU offers, many students, staff and faculty still travel to and from SU by themselves in their car. Write up your recommendations on how to increase the number of trips to and from campus using alternative transportation by students, staff and faculty.
Final group paper

Increase Recycling in the Residence Halls
Write up your recommendations on how to increase the recycling of paper, and plastic, metal and glass food containers in the residence hall studied, how it can be replicated year after year and duplicated at all the residence halls.  
Final group paper

Sustainable Living Guide
Create a Sustainable Living Guide for residence hall students that will educate them on how their daily consumption of natural resources negatively impacts our planet's environment and other countries, how they can make a difference in the daily choices and actions and why they should make a difference. 
Final group paper_Chamberlain
Sustainable Living Guide_Chamberlain

Energy Efficiency Suggestions for the Administration Building
Suggest ways to reduce this building’s energy consumption
Final paper