| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.49 |
| Liaison | Julia Angstmann |
| Submission Date | Dec. 20, 2021 |
Butler University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jamie
Valentine Assistant Director CUES Biological Sciences |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Eco-Reps - The Eco-Reps were developed in 2020 from the previous sustainability club. The Butler University EcoReps exists to gather students who have a passion to act as representatives for the environment and sustainable practices, and to work together to create action. EcoReps also creates opportunities to transform Butler into a more sustainable institution, and help its students become more sustainability-minded through education and outreach. This student group holds events, weekly meetings, and manages a social media platforms to educate the campus on sustainability.https://www.instagram.com/ecoreps.butler/
Food Recovery Network - This student group collects uneaten food from the campus dining hall and delivers it to a local community organization the serves individuals facing food insecurity. https://www.instagram.com/bufoodrecovery/
The SGA Sustainability Committee - The Sustainability Committee is a branch of the SGA the focuses on improving campus sustainability to improve the student experience. The Committee oversees the Green Fund, a dedicated pool of funds for the campus community to apply for to implement campus sustainability projects.
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The Farm at Butler is a 1-acre sustainable agriculture project on the
campus of Butler University, managed by the Center for
Urban Ecology and Sustainability (CUES). The Farm supports student internships, paid summer positions, place-based experiential learning for Butler classes, and sells the produce to the campus food provider which is served in the dining hall.
https://www.butler.edu/farm
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
The Sustainability Council, a branch of SGA, is a student group that manages the Green Fund for campus sustainability projects. Students apply and hold leadership positions, review grant proposals, manage funding, and develop sustainability related campus events. https://www.instagram.com/butlergreencouncil/
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
In spring 2021, Butler held events during Earth Month to engage students in sustainability. Events included speakers on food waste and insecurity,
podcast on sustainability and thrifting, webinar dialog Solve Climate by 2030, food focused student org call out meeting, upcycling presentation, invasive species pull and lunch, cooking demo and farm tour at campus farm, virtual movie presentation I am Greta.
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B8TaIkBSGP8xsIXTR8knYXwaqRPYlbik/view?usp=sharing
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Jordan College of the Arts produced a play called 'Enemy of the People' about climate change, pollution, and human health vs economic gain. Following the play, "Climate Change Conversations', a panel of sustainability professionals from the University and community discussed their climate change work and responded to questions from the audience.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/19172508@N02/albums/72157713917020493/page1
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Groups of students in each residence hall self-select a theme to focus on over the academic year as led by other students. One such sustainability-focused theme in a residence hall was on food systems and insecurity. The CUES Assistant Director was invited to speak to these students about local food apartheid communities, food systems, and campus food projects.
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The Center for Urban Ecology and Sustainability (CUES), in partnership with the Career and Professional Services office, hires up to 6 paid work study positions a semester to work on campus and community sustainability projects and research.
https://www.butler.edu/cues/student-opportunities
STS Connect
To Network with future, past, and present students, create internship opportunities, and a better understanding of what STS (Science, technology and society) is to Butler University.
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
The Green Grad program aims to create student sustainability champions who are dedicated to sustainability at Butler University and who will continue to advocate for sustainability in their lives and future careers. Through participating in sustainability research, education, service learning, and events, students empower themselves and their community to advocate for a safe, healthy, and equitable future for all.
To fulfill Green Grad requirements, students complete a minimum of 10 points in sustainable activities at Butler, in the community, or while studying abroad. Once students complete their sustainability journey and receive a minimum of 10 points, they sign a Green Graduation Pledge affirming their commitment to sustainability and receive a physical green cord to wear at graduation. The green cord serves as a visible commitment with other graduated to collectively contribute to sustainability in their lives, future workplace, and community.
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.