Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 81.34
Liaison Mary Whitney
Submission Date Nov. 26, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Chatham University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Mary Whitney
University Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused major, degree program, or the equivalent for undergraduate students (I.e. an interdisciplinary academic program that concentrates on sustainability as an integrated concept)?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
Sustainability

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:

Sustainability has grown from a niche field to an increasingly crucial lens through which all aspects of society are being considered.

That's why Chatham has developed four unique tracks within our Bachelor of Sustainability (BSUS) program. All students take 14 foundation courses in environmental, economic, social and policy issues common across the field of sustainability. This provides a solid foundation for choosing which track in the program you want to study.

TRACK 1: SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY
Introduces students to a wide range of renewable energy technologies and systems, and explores the relationship between technological, social and policy change, particularly in the context of the sustainable cities of the future.

TRACK 2: NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Provides students with a broad understanding of the inter-connectedness of ecological, economic, social and political systems. It introduces students to a wide range of renewable natural resources, their use and management. It combines professional competency in management skills with a strong foundation in the biophysical, social, and economic fields.

TRACK 3: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
Exposes students to analytical concepts and tools for decision making. At the same time students are encouraged to think broadly about the impacts of business decisions. The track includes traditional business classes, an introduction to sustainable technology, approaches to decision analysis and corporate social responsibility.

TRACK 4: SUSTAINABLE POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS
Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the way in which policy is created and implemented, along with the history, content, and consequences of key US and global environmental and sustainability policies. Students also develop their communication skills and explore the role traditional and social media play in policy creation.


The website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Environmental Science

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):

A BS in Environmental Science provides students with an interdisciplinary, scientific perspective to help them develop an evidence-based approach to environmental challenges. Chatham has a long history of involvement with environmental issues, and we are particularly proud of the accomplishments of our alumna, Rachel Carson '29.

Environmental scientists analyze interactions between humans and our biotic and abiotic environment. They collect data, analyze it, model it, and communicate their findings to wide range of stakeholders in government, private sector, and the citizenry.

The job outlook for environmental scientists is excellent. Employment is projected to grow 15% from 2012 to 2022, which is faster than the average for all occupations1 partially due to energy, climate change, and infrastructure challenges.


The website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Interior Architecture

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):

Chatham's Interior Architecture program is a professional interior design curriculum that stresses holistic design integrated with sustainability and environmental consciousness. Design studios encourage you to explore the built environment of various building types while lecture courses impart the design knowledge needed to create wonderful spaces. The three-year undergraduate program option is fast-paced but requires no summer study, allowing greater opportunities for internships, study abroad and employment.

Study in dedicated Interior Architecture classrooms.
You'll study in our updated and constantly improving facility – Chatham Eastside. Less than a mile from our historic Woodland Road location, Chatham Eastside opened in 2009 with LEED Certification and with state-of-the-art classroom and studio spaces designed specifically for our interior architecture program.


The website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):

Bachelor's in Business (All tracks)
https://www.chatham.edu/busent/

Bachelor's in Communication
https://www.chatham.edu/communication/

Bachelor's in Cultural Studies
https://www.chatham.edu/culturalstudies/

Bachelor's in Social Work
https://www.chatham.edu/socialwork/

Bachelor's in Women's and Gender Studies
https://www.chatham.edu/womensstudies/


Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors, concentrations or certificates for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate:
Sustainability

A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate:

Students pursuing a minor in sustainability will explore society’s sustainability challenges and focus on data driven and entrepreneurial solutions.


The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Minor in Botany

A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):

Botany, or plant biology, is the scientific study of plants, from algae to giant sequoia trees. A minor in botany is ideal for students who wish to supplement their studies in some other discipline with a concentrated study of plant life.


The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
Environmental Writing Minor

A brief description of the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):

In our environmental writing major, students are fully immersed in the writing process but also gain entrance to the worlds of ecology and policy, enabling them to support their language skills with fact-based substance.


The website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors, concentrations and certificates:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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