Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.72
Liaison Debbie Liddick
Submission Date April 22, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Black Hills State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Katie Greer
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Services
"---" 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 Yes
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 Yes
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles Yes
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences ---
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills ---
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 Yes

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

Scientia - A student-run organization dedicated to all areas of science. Acting as a support network for students and faculty alike, Scientia holds regularly scheduled meetings to plan future events that help inform the public about opportunities in science related fields.
Enactus - Teaches the free enterprise system to others on campus and throughout the Black Hills. They create opportunities to learn how to use the free enterprise system. Nationally, Enactus has adopted sustainability as a value, something that our local chapter has adopted as well.
COLP – The collegiate outdoor leadership program is focused on providing opportunities for sustainable outdoor recreation. Examples include outdoor activity workshops with a focus on Leave No Trace Principals, as well as service activities such as Adopt a Trail.
AISES - American Indian Science and Engineering Society - a national non-profit organization which nurtures building of community by bridging science and technology with traditional native values. The ultimate goal of AISES is to be a catalyst for the advancement of American Indians and Native Alaskans as they seek to become self-reliant members of society. This program provides many students with valuable scholarships for college.


The website URL where information about student groups is available:
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 BHSU campus garden, located south of the Yellow Jacket Apartments, was established in 2008 by students living in the residence halls. Since then, the garden has grown through the volunteer efforts of faculty and staff, student organizations, and community groups. We've estimated that the garden requires 550+ hours of planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, and ground preparation each year. All of the produce harvested from the garden is prepared into meals at our campus dining hall, The Hive.


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:

Enactus has initiated the Lisa Bike program on campus. This program allows students to lease a bike for a semester or year in order to reduce their dependence on automobiles to get around town. As a part of the program, Enactus installed a bike fix-it station that can be utilized by the entire campus for free to further encourage biking to campus.


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
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:

Sustainability Day each October includes a speaker agenda to inform the campus and to advance communication about local sustainability initiatives.
Over the summer months, a Brown Bag speaker series focuses on our campus garden. Each month a new speaker comes during lunchtime to talk about gardening, food systems, buying local foods, or healthy eating.
The Madeline Young Speakers’ series has identified sustainability as a key direction when selecting speakers. The speaker series is student-governed.
2014's Undergraduate Research Symposium featured an expert on ecotourism as keynote speaker.


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:

BHSU art students use recycled materials to create art. Art students in Desy Shoenewies' classes took an interdisciplinary and environmental approach with their art project. The education majors included garbage items in their art as they developed and presented lesson plants to fellow classmates. The two art projects both used recycled materials and teach a lesson beyond art.
Students in Ann Porter's 3D design class were challenged to create a life-side cardboard self-portrait as a bug. The art students used old paper towel boxes, packing material and brightly colored soda containers to create their masterpieces. After decorating Woodburn Hall, the bugs were recycled once again. Students in the 3D class also created an art installation with plastic bags to draw attention to the negative impact of plastic bags on the environment.


The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:

Outdoor technical skills classes (rock climbing, canoeing, fly fishing, cross country skiing, orienteering, and outdoor skills) discuss Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics and how to limit recreational impact on outdoor resources.


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

Student workers are employed to aid recycling collection, increase sustainability presence at sporting and campus events, and help with large gardening initiatives. Four students were hired Spring 2014 semester.


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:

During his time at BHSU, Markus Heinrich developed a business to collect cans for recycling. He developed a specialized can crusher barrel to increase capacity for collection. He graduated in 2013, but continues to work with the University to increase recycling at football games and other large events on campus.


The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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