Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.65
Liaison Laura Bain
Submission Date Jan. 19, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Furman University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.66 / 4.00 Laura Bain
Associate Director of Sustainability Assessment
David E. Shi Center for Sustainability
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Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
3,261

Total number of students enrolled for credit that are served (i.e. directly targeted) by a student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program (avoid double-counting to the extent feasible):
2,981

Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
91.41

Name of the student educators program:
Student Sustainability Fellowships

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
2,981

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:

The Shi Center for Sustainability fellowships focus on sustainability research and service on campus. Fellowships that include peer-to-peer education are Communications and Outreach Fellow,

Fellows also regularly engage with and educate their peers through social media posts, blogs, surveys, and newsletter articles related to their fellowship.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected:

To become a student fellow, students must submit a resume, short statement of interest (no more than 500 words) that includes the names of the fellowship(s) desired, and the names of two references (professors on campus are preferred). Successful applicants then complete an interview. From the remaining applicants, the fellows are selected.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:

All Fellows participate in weekly programming during the course of their fellowship that provides skills such as leadership training, public speaking, teamwork, and professionalism.


A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination):

Student fellows are paid $10/hr for 10 hrs/week for the semester. Typically, the Shi Center hosts 15 fellows during the academic year.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
UCapture Ambassadors

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
2,981

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

Furman has partnered with UCapture, an online shopping platform that allows users to offset their carbon footprint via a commission program with online merchants. Student UCapture Ambassadors conduct peer-to-peer outreach to explain how an individual can contribute to carbon emissions and how they can reduce and mitigate their carbon footprint.


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

UCapture Ambassadors apply directly to UCapture and are chosen after discussion with Furman Shi Center staff. Students are selected based on relevant skill sets and potential networks on campus.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):

UCapture Ambassadors are provided with information on and required to understand the concept of carbon emissions, offsetting, and Furman's goals related to the topic. They are also trained in public speaking and effective persuasive communication strategies.


A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (2nd program):

While the Ambassadors are paid directly by UCapture, Shi Center staff coordinate with the student and the UCapture founder to schedule on-campus speaking engagements, provide support, and serve as a liaison when needed.


Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Resident Assitant Staff

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
2,451

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):

A subset of Resident Assistant staff meet weekly to discuss diversity and inclusion issues on campus and educate other students. They host campus-wide CLP programs and residence hall-specific trainings upon request. Targeted groups include members of the general student body as well as other student staff.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):

Resident Assistants are chosen via a competitive application and interview process.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):

The Diversity RA staff receive targeted training in diversity issues during the fall training session and additional in-service trainings throughout the year.


A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (3rd program):

RAs receive a stipend and a discount on housing costs.


A brief description of all other student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs, including the number of students served and how student educators are selected, trained, and supported by the institution:
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually (all programs):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.