| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | Sept. 17, 2024 |
American University
EN-6: Community Partnerships
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
6.00 / 9.00 |
Lia
Gomez Sustainability Analyst Office of Sustainability |
6.1 Sustainability-focused community partnerships
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s sustainability-focused community partnerships:
In March 2016, AU became the first area university to work with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to provide students with the benefit for a flat fee. The U·Pass program, which was adopted by an overwhelming student vote in fall 2016, provides unlimited rides throughout the semester on Metrorail and Metrobus (including express and airport shuttle buses) for trips to school, work, internships, cultural events, and entertainment. The program extends to all full-time undergraduate, graduate, and law students. The goal of the program and partnership with WMATA is to encourage students to use public transportation, allow for increased class field trips around DC, and save students' money. https://www.american.edu/finance/transportation/UPass.cfm
goDCgo
AU partners with goDCgo, an initiative of the District Department of Transportation, to promote sustainable transportation in DC. AU has participated in goDCgo's annual Commuter Challenge by encouraging employees to choose to bike, take public transit, carpool, or walk to work and log their trips during the challenge. AU also invites goDCgo to attend AU events to share resources on sustainable transportation, including bike maps and information on pre-tax deposits to public transit costs.
AU partners with all the other district universities and the District's Dept of Energy and the Environment to move district sustainability goals forward in a cohesive manner.
Through AU's Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, the following organizations have collaborated with AU as community partners:
- Anacostia River Keepers Society
- Common Good City Farm
- Watershed Society
- Casey Trees (also for one-day service events)
- FRESHFARM/FoodPrints
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
6.2 Partnerships to support underrepresented groups and vulnerable populations
Description of the institution’s community partnerships to support underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations in addressing sustainability challenges:
The DC Reads program places American University students within community-based organizations in DC public schools to support K-8th grade youth education. This program addresses educational challenges by providing academic support to underrepresented youth while aiming to reduce educational disparities and promote long-term academic success. AU's involvement includes training student tutors who work closely with children to improve literacy skills, thereby contributing to the community's overall educational resilience.
In March 2016, AU became the first area university to work with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority (WMATA) to provide students with the benefit for a flat fee. The U·Pass program, which was
adopted by an overwhelming student vote in fall 2016, provides unlimited rides throughout the
semester on Metrorail and Metrobus (including express and airport shuttle buses) for trips to school,
work, internships, cultural events, and entertainment. The program extends to all full-time
undergraduate, graduate, and law students. The goal of the program and partnership with WMATA is to encourage students to use public transportation, allow for increased class field trips around DC, and save students' money.
AU partners with all the other district universities and the District's Dept of Energy and the
Environment to move district sustainability goals forward in a cohesive manner.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
6.3 Community partnership assessment
Publication that includes the community partnership guidelines:
Online resource that includes the institution’s community partnership guidelines:
Are all of the institution’s community partnerships for sustainability subject to an assessment process that includes joint evaluation by the institution and its community partners?:
Description of the institution’s approach to community partnership assessment and how the results are used to improve reciprocity and mutual benefit:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.