Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.90
Liaison Jessica Bowen
Submission Date Aug. 3, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Aquinas College
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 2.00 Jessica Eimer Bowen
Director of Sustainability
Center for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
Yes or No
Active student groups focused on sustainability Yes
Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems Yes
Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes No
Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills No
Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience ---
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles Yes
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences Yes
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution Yes
Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions No
Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives ---

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

1. Students Striving for Sustainability: Provides an avenue for Sustainable Business students to take a more proactive role in business, social and environmental progress. Student-Governed. This group led the initiative to change the college's zero waste goal from 2020 to 2014, and even secured presidential support and approval.
2. EPIC is an organization that will provide students with real life experiences with a trip to Washington D.C. in its attempts to lobby for new green energy. The organization will work closely with the Grand Rapids community and local politicians to aid in our cause and also aid Aquinas College students in issues that are of importance to them. Student-Governed.
3. Keeping Bees: The purpose of this student organization is to teach students, faculty, and staff the role of honeybees and their socio-economical functions and purposes. Students will have the opportunity to study and interact with a bee colony (Apiary) on campus. Interactions with the Apiary range from simple observation and wireless data acquisition, to hands on honey extraction. This club has potential for serious integration with existing clubs Tri-beta and Students Striving for Sustainability. There will also be a focus on botanical restoration and ecological interactions on campus. Student-Governed. This new group has developed a program description and is seeking external funding for an Apiary.


The website URL where information about student groups is available:
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A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:

The campus community garden is a volunteer-run program, with representatives from the student body, staff, and faculty. Not only does the community garden provide opportunities for growing local, organic food, but also opportunities for community outreach. The garden was started by a student group, but it is currently coordinated by the Director of Sustainability, with the help of student interns.


The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
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A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

1. The annual Refresh Yourself is organized by Campus Life each Spring. This campus tradition is a night full of fun, food, and entertainment. It promises to be a great night! Beat the winter blues - take a break to rejuvenate with us this weekend as our sponsors, Coca-Cola, various AQ departments and RSOs, and other local businesses help us throw the biggest party of the year! Student-Governed Event and students are the intended audience. The event is also a zero waste event.
2. The annual Saint Stock event is organized by Campus Life and Campus Ministry each fall. Sponsored by Campus Life and Campus Ministry, Saint Stock is the combination of multiple resource fairs as well as Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) into one exciting Welcome Week event. Participants will be able to peruse the merchandise of local businesses, locate a faith community, explore volunteer opportunities in the area, join a campus club, and much, much more. Saint Stock is a wonderful networking opportunity as it allows for participants to explore the abundant options within the community. With nearly 500 incoming students signed up for the new school year, the event is a chance for the College and local businesses to showcase what they offer Aquinas students. Student-Governed Event and students are the intended audience. The event is also a zero waste event.
3. The Earth Day event is completely organized by students and students are the main intended audience. The day of activities include educational efforts related to sustainability and the environment, entertainment, and lots of information booths.


The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
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The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
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A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:

1. Nature Trail/Tree Guide: The Aquinas College campus provides access to a wide diversity of native trees and shrubs on our 100+ acre site. Walks along campus trails allow you to see examples of all native Michigan species, as well as a number of introduced types. It is a favorite fall stop for teachers, students, and nature lovers.
2. The Biology program offers field-based classes. BY 123 Environmental Biology is an intro to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with emphasis on human influences. The classes include weekly field experiences, which is based in on-campus and off-campus labs.


The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:

One of the practices included in our general education curriculum is a first year experience required by all incoming freshmen. Our First Year Seminar, beginning in Fall Semester 2014, includes a series of six lectures for first semester students, each followed by small group discussion and reflection assignments led by full-time faculty members from across the disciplines. The vision of Economicology and sustainability will begin to be introduced to Aquinas students in their First Year Seminar.


The website URL where information about the theme is available:
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A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

Aquinas has several Living Learning Communities (LLC's) on campus, offering upperclassmen students the chance to have an independent living style with the comfort of living in a house on campus. Each house has its own theme (Academic Leadership, Environmental Leadership, Campus Leadership, etc...) and is fully furnished with storage and laundry facilities. Each home also has a RA to help build community. One of the LLC's is generally focused on sustainability.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
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A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:

The Center for Sustainability employs 1 work study student and 3 student interns. All 4 students work 10 hours per week on dedicated sustainability activities.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
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A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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