Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.46
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date March 20, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Cornell University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.60 / 4.00 Dan Roth
Director of the Campus Sustainability Office
Energy & Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution coordinate one or more ongoing student, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs that meet the criteria for this credit?:
Yes

Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
21,671

Name of the student educators program (1st program):
EcoRep Program

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
1,612

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):

The EcoRep Program is a course taught each semester that focuses on the freshman residence halls titled Leadership for Campus Sustainability co-taught by Professor Brian Chabot, and staff members Daniel Roth (Campus Sustainability Office) and Susan Riley (Residential Programs). Any student can take the course for both semesters. The course description follows: "This course uses engaged learning approaches to develop leadership and peer education skills while improving campus sustainability through educating students in campus residential facilities. You will learn how to plan, coordinate, and implement sustainability education activities in collaboration with residence hall staff. You will work with others students in and outside the class in developing your competencies in persuasion, education and social marketing."


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. Information was provided about the EcoRep program and the application process was explained. 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.


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

The course meets twice a week throughout the fall and spring semesters and begins with a weekend long leadership training and sustainability orientation session. Class time each week is divided between introductions to three sustainability themes, introductions to social marketing strategies and behavior change strategies, and in-class project planning. Food, composting and recycling, and water are the themes in the Spring semester while energy, transportation, and purchasing are covered in the Fall semester.


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

A faculty member from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences oversees the course. The Campus Sustainability Office and the Office of Residential Programs fund leadership development trainings.

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.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
EcoRep Orientation Team

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
1,612

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):

EcoRep Orientation Team volunteers lead the effort to educate all incoming freshman about composting and recycling during New Student Orientation. These volunteers monitor composting and recycling stations at events and educate their peers about recycling and composting at each site.


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

EcoRep Orientation Volunteers were recruited during the summer through email announcements and presentations to club leaders. Most 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):

EcoRep Orientation members received a one-hour training on composting and recycling at events. The student Sustainability Coordinator (employed by the Campus Sustainability Office) ran the training session.


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

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


Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (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 financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
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Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
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A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (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 financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
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The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.