The Campus as Lab (CAL) program collaborates with staff to integrate sustainability learning experiences and research into campus operations and infrastructure projects. We assist with knowledge sharing and coordination between staff and campus researchers to facilitate the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives in support of the University’s Sustainability Action Plan. 

Learn how staff members can participate directly in CAL efforts:

Guest Lecture or Campus Tour

Every year, staff members serve as guest speakers or provide campus tours on topics ranging from Princeton’s energy infrastructure to campus composting. More and more faculty are interested in embedding real-world examples of applied sustainability into their courses

Semester Projects 

Do you have a sustainability-related challenge in your department that could benefit from student analysis? In several courses across many disciplines, students collaborate with staff members to develop interventions to improve campus operations and programming.

Operational Projects & Capital Plan

Princeton University views its facilities, operations and capital projects to be seamlessly integrated in the teaching and learning mission of the institution. The 2026 Capital Plan is the University’s most ambitious expansion project in recent history. It presents significant opportunities to develop solutions to sustainability problems in a real-world setting. You can collaborate with faculty on research projects that contribute to a sustainable campus within the framework of plans implemented by capital project design teams. We attempt to identify opportunities for testing or implementing innovative sustainable solutions in on-going campus development and construction.

Direct Action Projects

Additionally, staff members have the opportunity to develop their own CAL-inspired projects to explore professional or personal topics of interest. Recently, Ted Borer spearheaded a 21-Day Plant Based Experience pilot program independent of his University job as Director of Princeton's Energy Plant. Participants in the program actively explored and learned about the implications of plant-based diets on human health, the environment, and more.