Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 53.49
Liaison Julia Angstmann
Submission Date Dec. 20, 2021

STARS v2.2

Butler University
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 4.00 Jamie Valentine
Assistant Director CUES
Biological Sciences
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student sustainability research incentives 

Does the institution have an ongoing program to encourage students in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research?:
Yes

A brief description of the student sustainability research program:
The CUES Director supports a student in the Butler Summer Institute (BSI) every year to focus on urban ecology and sustainability research. Students apply to BSI and if selected (highly competitive), receive a $4,5000 award, free on-campus housing, participate in professional development opportunities, engage in a transformational learning experience, and produce work at the level of publication or presentation.

Six to eight students conduct research every year with Indy Wildlife Watch out of the CUES. These students are mentored by CUES Director and their research contributes to the Urban Wildlife Network. Students are also able to receive academic credit for their research.

Two funds on campus, the Green Fund & FEAST Fund, provide grants to students for sustainability research and projects. Students a develop an application outlining their proposed research or project and are awarded funding based on committee decisions.

The CUES office, in collaboration with the Career and Professional Services Office on campus, provide paid opportunities for students who qualify for work study to conduct sustainability research and/or projects that support campus sustainability goals as outlined in the Butler University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. Additionally, the CUES office mentors 5-10 for-credit interns a semester to conduct sustainability research and/or projects that support campus sustainability goals as outlined in the Butler University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.

Faculty sustainability research incentives 

Does the institution have a program to encourage academic staff from multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research?:
No

A brief description of the faculty sustainability research program:
---

Recognition of interdisciplinary, transdisciplnary and multi-disciplinary research 

Has the institution published written policies and procedures that give positive recognition to interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research during faculty promotion and/or tenure decisions?:
No

A copy of the promotion or tenure guidelines or policies:
---

The promotion or tenure guidelines or policies:
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Library support

Does the institution have ongoing library support for sustainability research and learning?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s library support for sustainability research:
The Butler Libraries develops research guides, materials selection policies, and practices are focused on supporting faculty teaching. They also create LibGuides for specific topics or classes including for environmental justice, the Science Technology, and Society program, and on climate change, sustainability, and resilience.

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s support for sustainability research is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Science, Technology, and Society Libguide: https://libguides.butler.edu/c.php?g=34198&p=217736

Climate change, sustainability , and resilience Libguide: https://libguides.butler.edu/ResilientCommunities/About

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.