| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.91 |
| Liaison | Tom Hartzell |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2022 |
Calvin University
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Andrea
Lubberts Program Manager Biology & Plaster Creek Stewards |
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Name of the campaign:
A brief description of the campaign:
Students “DREAM” (Dorm Room Environmental Awareness Movement) certify their rooms by eliminating extra appliances, unplugging cords not in use, having plants, or using natural light instead of electricity. Students, faculty, and staff also participated in “Lifestyle Challenges”, trying out a new sustainable habit like going without cars, meat, dryers, bottled drinks, or room refrigerators for the duration of the event. There are also lectures available for students, faculty, and staff to attend.
Here is a link to an article in the student-run Newspaper, Chimes, about the 2022 Kill-a-Watt event:
https://calvinchimes.org/2022/01/23/your-sustainability-habits-dont-have-to-end-with-kill-a-watt-they-can-grow/
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:
Kill-a-Watt has been an annual event since 2008. It is held every January and students, faculty, and staff are also included in the campaign.
Kill-a-watt 2021 Review:
Throughout January, Residence Hall student leaders collaborated with partners across campus to offer “Kill-a- watt”, a creation-care awareness program and energy contest. During Kill-a-Watt 2021, 140 students signed up for “Lifestyle Challenges,” committing to practice new sustainable lifestyle habits for Interim: such as going without red meat, taking shorter showers, or using public transit. Also, 48 students “DREAM certified” their rooms using an online assessment tool which encouraged more sustainable living practices. Students attended Kill-a-Watt-related events like floor creation-care focused Bible studies, events in each of the 6 residence halls, a guided hike at the Nature Preserve, a creation-care themed chapel, a sustainable cooking workshop, professor lectures, and an open mic night. At the conclusion of Interim, an assessment survey was distributed, and students were given information about sustainability student organizations and challenged to get involved. Students were also challenged to integrate their new sustainable lifestyle practices into their everyday lives.
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
The Calvin Energy Recovery Fund (CERF) is a revolving fund used to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions on campus. Plus, the cost savings from CERF projects are routed back into the fund for five years after project payoff—thereby growing the fund to support future projects. Project ideas are solicited from students, faculty, and alumni. The ideas are vetted by CERF student interns and the Environmental Stewardship Committee (staff and faculty governance).
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
The quarterly report contains the measured positive impacts: https://calvin.edu/about/sustainability/cerf/images/CERFQuarter3Report2021.pdf
Lifetime CERF Savings (as of Sept 2021)
Energy Savings (kWh) 4,803,804
Water Savings (gal) 7,290,335
Natural Gas Savings (MMBtu) 5,080.17
CO2 Savings (metric tons) 3,582.42
Cost Savings $467,061.86
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Here is a link to Calvin's main sustainability web page.
https://calvin.edu/about/sustainability/
This information was gathered through interviews with Andrea Lubberts, Program Manager for Plaster Creek Stewards, and emails to Becki Simpson, Dean of Residence Life (Kill-a-Watt), and Matt Heun, a CERF leader.
Here is a link to Calvin's main sustainability web page.
https://calvin.edu/about/sustainability/
This information was gathered through interviews with Andrea Lubberts, Program Manager for Plaster Creek Stewards, and emails to Becki Simpson, Dean of Residence Life (Kill-a-Watt), and Matt Heun, a CERF leader.
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.