| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.10 |
| Liaison | Jen Jones |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
College of Charleston
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jen
Jones Director Center for Sustainable Development |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Alliance for Planet Earth is a student-driven club that engages on a variety of local, state and national sustainability and environmental advocacy campaigns and initiatives. In recent years, Alliance for Planet Earth students have supported university Strawless Week, the international climate strike and campus waste audits.
https://cougarconnect.cofc.edu/organization/ape
The student Vegan Club educates peers on campus about the environmental and health benefits of a primarily plant-based diet. Student organizers often table at campus and community events, host family-style meals and potlucks and organize documentary screenings.
https://cougarconnect.cofc.edu/organization/c0fcv3gan
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 graduate-level Environmental and Sustainability Studies program coordinates the College's Sustainable Agriculture program. Students at Stono Preserve manage a 5 acre plot of land and we have four downtown urban gardens managed by students. The produce grown in these gardens goes directly to students, staff and fauclty and then excess produce is donated to the community. More information about the Sustainable Agriculture program can be found at https://mes.cofc.edu/sustainable-agriculture/index.php
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:
Impact X is an entrepreneurship course that uses the framework of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for sustainable and profitable businesses. At the end of the course, teams compete in a pitch competition for the chance to win seed money to scale their businesses.
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:
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:
The College of Charleston’s Center for Sustainable Development hosted Solve Climate by 2030, a national conversation happening on college campuses across the country, on Wednesday, April 7. This conversation included topics ranging from climate challenges facing South Carolina, the pathways South Carolina can take to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate, and why it is important to look at these issues from a justice and equity lens.
In April of 2022, the College of Charleston served as a host institution for the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, hosted by Second Nature and the Intentional Endowments Network. This summit is the premier annual gathering of higher education leaders committed to addressing inequality and the climate crisis. The 2022 Summit provided the space for courageous conversations, the creation of new partnerships, connecting with peers and cross-sectoral climate champions, all towards the overarching goal of finding solutions to the most consequential climate and justice issues of our time. The 2022 Summit built off of the year-long 2021 Climate Action Pursuit.
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:
As part of the Quality Enhancement Plan, the Center for Sustainable Development and sustainability literacy staff members have commissioned student artists to produce sustainability related artwork that aligns with campus-wide annual themes, including food insecurity. Once produced, these pieces are prominently displayed on campus to inspire conversation and reflection.
In 2020, three student-produced art pieces that connected with the QEP theme of the year, climate change, were selected and displayed in main campus buildings.
https://today.cofc.edu/2020/10/27/students-tackle-climate-change-with-art/
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:
Members of the College's Outdoors Club enjoy mountain climbing, camping, paddle boarding and hiking. The group travels extensively and adheres to Leave No Trace principles. https://cougarconnect.cofc.edu/organization/cofc_oc
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:
As part of the Quality Enhancement Plan and to frame sustainability programming and goals annually, the Center for Sustainable Development and sustainability literacy leaders work to select and promote campus-wide themes for each year the QEP is active. Faculty-developed curriculum, student-targeted events, art installations and even first-year books echo the selected themes.
For the 2020-2021 academic year (AY), the year-long theme was climate change. Modeled after a chosen goal from the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, the 2021-2022 theme was sustainable cities and communities.
https://sustain.cofc.edu/education/sustainability-literacy/index.php
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:
In spring of 2022, the Center for Sustainable Development hosted a "how to use menstrual cup" workshop through the Cougar Changemaker program, including a diva cup giveaway.
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 Sustainable Development facilitates approximately 10 projects-based student employment and internship opportunities from its campus headquarters at 207 Calhoun St. Our team supports students to contribute to a range of existing projects (i.e., energy infrastructure, waste management, scientific research, educational outreach) and create new initiatives that reflect the university's commitment to sustainability and its strategic vision. Students can receive funding and academic credit, depending on experience and skills. More information can be found at http://sustainability.cofc.edu/internships/index.php.
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):
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.