Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.45
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date Jan. 27, 2012
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

Cornell University
ER-1: Student Sustainability Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.79 / 5.00 Dale Williams
Mgr, Finance
Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
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Total number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
20,633

Program name (1st program):
EcoRep Program

Number of students served by the program (1st program):
3,472

A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):

The EcoRep program includes both returning and new students. Recruitment began with a variety of general-interest orientation events as well as events targeted for students interested in sustainability. At these events information was provided about the EcoRep program and explained how the application process worked. In addition to attending events, Residence Hall Directors and Resident Advisors encouraged their residents to apply. Interested students completed an online application where they provided an overview of their interest in sustainability as well as experiences with planning events and leadership.

Once the application period was closed, the EcoRep program coordinator read through the applications and held 15-minute interviews with all the candidates. The coordinator used the interviews to evaluate the candidates in several areas: 1) enthusiasm and motivation, 2) leadership experience, 3) communication skills, and 4) the buildings where the applicants lived to ensure we included a variety of buildings.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):

The initial EcoRep training consisted of a half-day session. The session began with icebreakers and introductions. During the remaining time the EcoReps were presented with an overview of the EcoRep Program and expectations. The Associate Director of the Sustainability Office gave a presentation titled “Sustainability at Cornell” to provide additional background. During the final portion of the training students split into groups and discussed potential program ideas.

Throughout the year the EcoReps have bi-weekly meetings. The meetings consist of time for the EcoRep Coordinator to present upcoming events and projects. There is also time for the EcoReps to discuss details of their current projects. In addition, EcoReps present about completed projects to share challenges and successes. The goal is for EcoReps to learn from and inspire each other.


A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (1st program):

The Sustainability Office and the Office of Residential Programs fund and supervise a student employee to be an EcoRep program coordinator. The EcoRep coordinator position consists of training and supervising the EcoReps and bridging the gap between the staff departments and the students. This is done through bi-weekly meetings with the EcoReps. The coordinator meets individually with EcoReps between meetings as needed.

In addition to working with the EcoReps, the coordinator has regular meetings with the project supervisors in Residential Programs and the Sustainability Office. The coordinator also attends regular meetings with other Sustainability Office interns to find ways to collaborate.

The EcoReps program also provides EcoReps with access to a $1000/semester fund to purchase any supplies needed to run programs with students. Both offices also provide computer and print support to help advertise the programs run by the EcoReps. Residential Programs has also provides a room to conduct bi-weekly EcoRep meetings.


The website URL for 1st Program:
Program name (2nd program):
Cornell Organization for Resource Efficiency (CORE)

Number of students served by the program (2nd program):
3,903

A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):

Student CORE members were recruited during the summer through listserve announcements and presentations to club leaders. Most CORE members were already involved in sustainability activities on campus and volunteered for this additional responsibility.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):

A dozen CORE Team Captains received 3 hours of orientation to managing teams of CORE members and the waste reduction strategies that would be promoted through CORE. CORE members received 1 hour trainings on composting and recycling at events. CORE members served as composting and recycling educators at student events during the fall of 2011.


A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):

The CORE program was developed and managed by a paid student intern in the Sustainability Office with resources provided for communication materials and website development. Composting and recycling bins were provided by R5 Operations.


The website URL for 2nd program:
Program name (3rd program):
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Number of students served by the program (3rd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
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A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
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The website URL for 3rd program:
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Program name (All other programs):
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Number of students served by the program (All other programs):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (All other programs):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (All other programs):
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A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (All other programs):
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The website URL for all other programs:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Cornell recently hired a part-time peer-to-peer education program coordinator and will be piloting a peer-to-peer education program during fall 2011.


Cornell recently hired a part-time peer-to-peer education program coordinator and will be piloting a peer-to-peer education program during fall 2011.

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.