Flinders University
EN-2: Co-Curricular Activities

2.1 Student sustainability organization

An institution earns 2 points when it formally recognizes at least one student organization that is sustainability-focused. Partial points are available. An institution that does not have a sustainability-focused student organization, but does have at least one student organization that is advancing ecological integrity or racial equity and social justice earns 1 point.

Measurement

Report on currently active voluntary associations and clubs that are primarily composed of students, are not directly controlled by the institution, and may independently conduct activities at the institution upon completion of an established registration or recognition process. Recognition may be evidenced by a listing on the institution’s website. Formal institutional committees and governance bodies, e.g., that may be tasked with advancing specific aspects of sustainability, do not qualify.

To qualify as sustainability-focused,  an organization must have a primary and explicit focus on the integrated concept of sustainability or the interdependence of ecological systems and social/cultural/economic systems. This focus must be evident in the organization’s published mission statement or description.

2.2 Sustainability-focused co-curricular activities

An institution earns 2 points when it A) has hosted a major sustainability-focused event or series of events during the previous three years targeted to students, B) has a sustainability-focused peer-to-peer education program, C) provides sustainability-focused employment opportunities for students, and D) has at least one student-managed enterprise that is sustainability-focused. Partial points are available and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report on the current status of the institution’s programs and initiatives and activities from within the previous three years. 

To qualify as a student-managed enterprise, students must have decision-making responsibilities for the logistics and operations involved in providing goods or services. 

2.3 Percentage of students that participate in sustainability activities

An institution earns 5 points when it has evidence that 50 percent or more of students participate annually in the institution’s sustainability activities (e.g., as described in indicators 2. 1 and 2.2). Partial points are available and earned as outlined in the Technical Manual.

Measurement

Report on the most recent annual data available from within the previous three years.

Participation may be evidenced by joining a sustainability organization, attending an event sponsored by the sustainability office, engaging in a sustainability-focused co-curricular activity, or an equivalent action. Neither the passive consumption of information nor awareness of sustainability initiatives qualifies. 

An institution may take one of three approaches in pursuing this indicator:

1. Survey or assessment results. Report the results of an institution-wide survey or sustainability culture assessment that includes one or more items on student participation in the institution’s sustainability activities. To avail of this option, the survey or assessment results must be indicative of the entire population of students, as ensured through representative sampling or by making the assessment mandatory.
2. Direct tracking of participation. Report on the participation figures collected for the sustainability-focused co-curricular activity that has the highest participation rate (e.g., event attendance). The figures for two or more activities may be aggregated if the potential for double-counting (counting the same individual more than once because they participate in more than one activity) is minimal (e.g., if there are separate activities for undergraduate and graduate students). 
3. Conservative estimate based on mixed/limited data sources. Report on the most credible sources of data that are available, taking steps to minimize double-counting. For example, an institution may use the single best data source for undergraduate students (e.g., participation in an initiative sponsored by the sustainability office) and the single best data source for graduate students (e.g., organizational membership) and/or adjust figures downward to account for the anticipated extent to which individuals may be counted more than once.

When using limited data sources, do not report a higher percentage range than is credibly supported by the data. Similarly, survey or assessment results may not be extrapolated to a larger population in the absence of representative sampling. For example, the results of a survey of 100 graduate students enrolled in a sustainability program may only be used to establish the participation status of those individuals; they may not be used to report on the entire population of graduate students.

Applicable to all institutions.