| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.21 |
| Liaison | Jeremy King |
| Submission Date | Sept. 19, 2022 |
Denison University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jeremy
King Campus Sustainability Coordinator Office of the President |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The DU Green Team was founded by Environmental Study students of the class of 2006 . It works to promote environmental awareness on campus.
http://instagram.com/denisongreenteam
https://denison.edu/campus/green/green-campus-organizations
VEG is a vegan advocacy student group on campus that organizes our meatless Monday (called Mindful Mondays) campaign in the dining hall as well as hosts a yearly documentary series.
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 Campus Community Garden was started in March of 2010 through a John R. Hunting Venture Fund Grant. Coordinated by a Denison Professor, the garden consists of thirty 12 x 4 raised beds. Students, faculty, and staff are all able to participate.
Denison has partnered with a local farm to offer a Denison specific CSA for students, faculty and staff. All members of the community are invited to go out to the farm to help with farm chores - though it isn't a requirement of being part of the CSA.
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:
Denison students started Revival Thrift an on-campus store that aims to provide diverse clothing and accessory options to embrace a variety of styles and promote an environment of identity- and size-inclusivity.
https://denisonian.com/2021/05/features/student-run-revival-thrift-grand-opening-held-on-may-1-and-2/
https://denison.edu/career/entrepreneurship/wh/142089
https://www.instagram.com/revivalthriftdenison/
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:
Denison hosted Dr. Katherine Heyhoe in the 2021-2022 Academic Year
Denison hosted a an alumni climate teach-in and panel during Earth Week 2022.
Denison hosted Ken Ilgunas during the 2021-2022 Academic Year
Denison hosted two faculty led panel discussions on Climate Change focused on student engagement.
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:
In 2019, the Denison Sustainability Office and the Denison Museum partnered to bring artist Nathalie Miebach to campus for an exhibition of her 3D weaving sculptures that incorporate climate data.
In 2022, the Denison museum hosted two exhibitions:
Black Snake Rising
On View: Jan 17th-May 13, 2022
On Campus: April 6-8, 2022. Artist talk Thursday, April 7th at 7:30pm Burke Recital Hall.
In conjunction with Laura C. Harries series
Pouring in as a coiling nest, this sea of oil depicts black snakes flowing in a progression of life-scale petroleum-based products transitioning into species most affected by oil spills. The artworks scale and implied motion amplify the impression of being drowned in an ocean filled with our necessities, indulgences, and consequences. The audience is invited to contribute to the growing accumulation by adding a vinyl decal of an item they use every day.
Appalachia in Focus
On view: Jan 17th- April 10, 2022
In conjunction with the Journalism Department
Appalachia is a mountainous area of the Eastern United States spanning 13 states from the southern edges of New York to the northernmost reaches of Georgia and Alabama. This exhibition celebrates the activists, artists, and intellectuals who enrich their region with creativity, culture, and art. Through the diverse perspectives of these artists, we hope to convey the complexity of this region, and by doing so familiarize viewers with its impact and history. Rather than rely on tired stereotypes of this region’s struggles, this exhibit draws on the talents of artists, writers, filmmakers, and common individuals. We invite you to learn about the rich history of this area from the natives best qualified to tell it.
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:
The Denison Outing Club provides students with an opportunity to take part in outdoor activities away from school. The club typically runs events throughout the fall and the spring. Some of these events include mountain biking, backpacking, caving, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. Most of the weekend activities take place in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The first major trip of the year is during the newly created fall break, where they spend four days hiking through some of the best fall foliage the east coast has to offer. In addition, spring break gives students an opportunity to explore some of America's more remote wilderness areas in states such as Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia.
As part of its First Year Student Orientation, Denison coordinates an outdoor orientation program whereby incoming students submit essays and applications to be considered for this experience. Led by a group of faculty and staff, this orientation program teaches leadership, teamwork, self-reliance, and problem-solving while taking students on a 3 day hike through the West Virginia wilderness. Issues of sustainability and environmental responsibility are also addressed during the orientation.
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:
First-year students at Denison are required to take a Writing 101 during their first year on campus. These classes cover a variety of topics, but each semester at least one section of that course focuses on environmental or sustainability related topics such as climate change or environmental education.
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:
The Denison Homestead provides a unique off campus living experience where students live in cabins that are built with sustainable design principles and powered by solar power. The Homestead maintains gardens, has livestock, utilizes a wood furnace and generally attempts to provide for low-impact sustainability living options.
Denison makes available one residence hall room to show on its Admissions tour. This room has been remodeled to include energy-saving lighting and equipment. It also displays a number of items that highlight opportunities for students to engage in sustainable activities on campus. The room is open every day and current Denison students are also able to visit the room to learn about ways they can green up their own room on campus.
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Denison employs Sustainability Fellows through the Office of Sustainability. Anywhere from 4-15 students are employed each year to do outreach work across campus.
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):
Each year at Denison's Commencement ceremony, hundreds of graduating students don green ribbons signifying that they signed the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility.
On Denison's campus, both the Environmental Studies Senior Fellows and the Office of Sustainability coordinate the program.
The pledge states, "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of the decisions I make in my personal life and the actions I take in my professional career. I will strive to continually better my community and the global society in which I live."
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.