| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.93 |
| Liaison | Christina Erickson |
| Submission Date | May 9, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Champlain College
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 2.00 |
Christina
Erickson Sustainability Director Campus Planning |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Eco-Reps are peer educators living in college residence halls that model environmentally responsible living behaviors and conduct education and outreach to fellow residents. Eco-Reps are trained and coordinated by the Sustainability Director who connects them to appropriate campus personnel and resources. Eco-Rep activities are generally focused within the residential areas of campus, but can extend to broader campus issues when most applicable. Eco-Reps also act as the additional "eyes & ears" regarding the physical operations of the buildings and alert Physical Plant staff if necessary. The Eco-reps program is co-facilitated by staff and students.
Each year (and sometimes each semester) there are different student clubs, recognized by the Student Government Association, that have sustainability related connections, including: Cultural Community Alliance, Cultivating Conscious Consumers, DREAM, Knitting for Good, and PAUSE. https://www.champlain.edu/student-life/campus-life/activities-and-clubs/student-organizations
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects 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:
Started in the spring of 2011, the community garden originated by request of students, faculty and staff, and was approved by President Finney with the support of the Physical Plant Grounds Staff. The community garden is located beside Rowell Annex (on Champlain College’s main campus) and has 27 plots available for individual use by Champlain College faculty, staff, and students.
The garden plots are 4’ x 8’ and cost $20 for faculty/staff and $10 for students. However, the fee is waived if all produce is donated to the Community Food Shelf. There is a two plot maximum for each gardener/team and plots are registered on a first come, first serve basis.
The plots fees are used for general garden supplies and equipment. Gardeners have access to tools and water and are asked to follow garden rules and participate in at least two community garden work sessions. No experience is necessary. We will work to partner garden mentors and mentees.
The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The Swap Shop, a student-run enterprise, opened on March 1, 2016.
Mission, Value, and Outcomes Statement:
“The Champlain College “Swap Shop” aims to provide a welcoming forum for members of our campus community to donate, exchange, and take home items free of charge. We are committed to environmental and economic justice, recognizing that there can never be an assumption of someone’s financial or life circumstances and that every person should have adequate access to basic amenities, such as clothing and food, as part of their personal journey towards a dignified existence. All of our items are gleaned from donations, waste collection days, and community partnerships as a way to both divert waste from landfills and educate members of the campus community about creative ways to repurpose items. Campus community members will be provided with workshops and tools for repurposing, and through this upcycling and recycling of materials, we aim to demonstrate an ecological understanding of, and deep gratitude for, the earth’s finite resources.”
Purpose:
* to divert otherwise unwanted materials from the landfill
* to have a space where the Champlain Community can find items they need for free/swap (clothing, books, games, small housewares)
* to have a space to host upcycling/craft workshops
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives 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:
Initiated in 2013, the Champlain College Green Revolving Fund (GRF) is an investment fund that finances energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability projects on campus. The Fund provides capital for special projects conducted by Physical Plant Department that reduce environmental impact and can repay the fund with cost-savings within five years. A portion of these savings are used to support a subsidiary Green Community Fund that finances smaller community-led sustainability projects which may lack monetary savings but are in clear alignment with Champlain College's sustainability objectives.
The fund is managed by a GRF committee including: Physical Plant Director, Director of Service & Sustainability Learning, a representative of the Finance Office, a representative of the Advancement Office, at least two faculty members, and at least two students.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
The annual Kill-A-Watt Challenge that occurs each February. The aim of this challenge is to raise student awareness regarding electricity conservation in Champlain College residence halls (and beyond!). This annual challenge is a collaborative project between Sustain Champlain and Residential Life.
There are periodic events each year related to sustainability, including:
* Hosted internationally renowned author and climate activist, Bill McKibben, on campus, October 2017
* Hosted satellite site for Student Sustainability Leadership Symposium, November 2017
* Music For Malayaka House fundraising event, with members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, February 2018
* Community Partner / Faculty networking event for Service-Learning, May 2017, 2018
* Annual Trash Bash waste sort, hosted by the Eco-Reps
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
Champlain College opened a gallery in Fall 2015 in the CCM building, which has new exhibits each month. Several installations have had a sustainability theme.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Work study and internship opportunities are offered through the Center for Service & Sustainability. Current positions include:
Eco-Reps (12)
Eco-Rep Area Coordinators (6)
Eco-Rep Captain (2)
Student Outreach Liaison (2)
Waste Reduction Coordinator (1)
Office Assistant - Center for Service & Sustainability (1)
+ self-design internships
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
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.