Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.34
Liaison Ciannat Howett
Submission Date July 25, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Emory University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Emily Cumbie-Drake
Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Office of Sustainability Initiatives
"---" 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:
13,898

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

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
7,656

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):
All Resident Advisors (RAs) and Sophomore Advisors (SAs) receive sustainability training during RA/SA Training in August. RAs and SAs incorporate this sustainability knowledge into hall programming throughout the year. For example, during the 2013-2014 school year, RAs organized a Earth Hour celebration, a reusable water bottle decorating party to promote use of reusable water bottles, and an off-campus field trip to teach residents how to use Atlanta's public transportation system.

A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):
Resident Advisor (RA) and Sophomore Advisor (SA) applicants apply online and participate in an interview with professional staff and students and a group process activity. Based on their applications, recommendations and performance in the interview process, they are selected for the position.

A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):
All Resident Advisors (RAs) and Sophomore Advisors (SAs) receive sustainability training by Office of Sustainabilty staff during RA/SA Training in August. RAs and SAs incorporate this sustainability knowledge into hall programming throughout the year. RAs and SAs in Few and Evans Halls, which are part of the Living Green First Year Living/Learning community, receive additional training in sustainability.

A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
Resident Advisors (RAs) and Sophomore Advisors (SAs) receive staff support from the Office of Residence Life & Housing. All RAs receive a stipend in addition to free room and board.

Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Orientation Leaders Sustainability Training

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
1,526

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
Orientation Leaders (OLs) serve as a University liaison to all new students and families. OLs work with faculty to assist incoming students in their transition to Emory and help familiarize new students with resources on campus. Orientation Leaders have the responsibility of representing the University to students and their families during an intensive, week-long, Orientation session held the week prior to the start of classes. Beginning in fall 2013, OLs received sustainability training by Office of Sustainability staff and are responsible for teaching incoming students about Emory's sustainability initiatives, particularly Emory's waste reduction program and goals.

A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Orientation Leaders (OLs) submit an application and are interviewed by the Office of Student Leadership and Service. OLs are selected based on the following criteria: -Must be a full-time Emory University undergraduate student -Must have at least a 3.0 overall grade point average -Have pride in being an Emory student and want to share that pride with new students. -Can relate effectively to various cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles, personalities, etc. -Are involved in the campus community. -Desire to be a leader and role model on campus and in the community. -Have high standards of ethical behavior and professionalism. -Have a positive attitude -Work well under pressure -Have creativity, flexibility and a sense of humor -Understand the importance of a liberal arts education -Have a willingness to assist first year students in their adjustment to academic life.

A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
Orientation Leaders receive sustainability training by the Office of Sustainability during their August training prior to Orientation. OLs are asked to teach incoming students about Emory's sustainability initiatives, particularly Emory's waste reduction program and goals.

A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
Orientation Leaders are all student volunteers but receive staff support and training from the Office of Student Leadership and Service.

Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Residence Hall Association (RHA) Sustainability Chairs

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
7,656

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
The Residence Hall Association (RHA) works to promote the goals and purposes of the University as related to residential living, as well as to serve as the student voice. RHA Sustainability Chairs promote sustainability through several mediums. One student serves as an Executive RHA Sustainability Chair and each individual residence hall has its own RHA Sustainability Chair, whose job it is to develop his or her own initiatives and support the Executive Chair. This structure allows RHA to reach all Emory Students in an efficient manner and spread sustainability efforts campus-wide. Examples of peer-to-peer education in 2013-14 includes: educating fellow students in their halls to organize zero waste events and conducting several waste audits of the waste streams of residence halls.

A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
The Executive RHA Sustainability Chair is appointed following an interview process by the RHA President and Vice President in late spring. Each hall's RHA Sustainability Chairs is appointed by their Hall Council in the fall of each year.

A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
The Office of Sustainability conducts a half-day training for all RHA Sustainability Chairs at the beginning of the fall semester. In this training, chairs learn details about Emory's sustainability initiatives and effective methods for inspiring and creating behavior change in their peers and fellow residents.

A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
The Residence Hall Association provides funding for the Sustainability Chairs. The Office of Sustainability supplements this budget, as needed. A paid graduate intern with the Office of Sustainability oversees the program, manages the training, and provides organizational support.

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):
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
http://www.osls.emory.edu/programs/orientation/leaders.html http://www.emory.edu/HOUSING/ABOUTUS/rha.html http://sustainability.emory.edu/page/1035/Student-Groups

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.