| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.45 |
| Liaison | Yumiko Jakobcic |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Grand Valley State University
EN-6: Employee Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Amanda
Rodgers Graduate Assistant Sustainable Community Development Initiative |
Does the institution administer or oversee an ongoing faculty/staff peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program that meets the criteria for this credit?:
Total number of employees:
Name of the employee educators program (1st program) :
Number of employees served by the program (1st program):
A brief description of how the employee educators are selected (1st program):
The Campus Sustainability Advisory Council is comprised of faculty and staff members from across campus. The group meets to discuss sustainability initiatives and is responsible for bringing this information, and tips on sustainable best practices, back to their peers. For example, we focused on ways to reduce waste, including junk mail, in offices as part of our last meeting. Council members are selected based on their interest and expertise in different sustainability areas on campus.
A brief description of the formal training that the employee educators receive (1st program):
The Office of Sustainability Practices hosts quarterly meetings with the Campus Sustainability Advisory Council to move sustainability efforts forward on campus. These meetings also serve as training on things such as sustainability reporting for the university strategic plan.
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
The Office of Sustainability staff provide administrative support to the council.
The website URL where information about the program is available (1st program):
Name of the employee educators program (2nd program):
Number of employees served by the program (2nd program):
A brief description of how the employee educators are selected (2nd program):
The Pedometer Challenge participants are selected on a volunteer basis, including Team Captains (please note that Team Captains may also do some recruiting, but participation is voluntary). The Healthy Choices Program participants are also selected on a volunteer basis, as well as the Gazelle Girl participants.
A brief description of the formal training that the employee educators receive (2nd program):
Team Captains for the Pedometer Challenge are responsible for reaching out to teammates and helping them to set goals, follow up on participation, and provide assistance reporting progress. All participants receive instruction on how to enter their steps, convert non-walking activities, and calculate their team goals. Teams work together toward daily health goals and learn from each other throughout the challenge.
For the Healthy Choices Program, participants with an identified health risk meet with a Health Coach. Recommendations may include participation in a variety of peer-to-peer opportunities including the pedometer challenge, faculty/staff group exercise programs, health coaching, nutrition groups, and various other wellness support groups led by faculty/staff members.
Additionally, GVSU has a faculty/staff and student mentoring program for the Gazelle Girl race (5, 10k, and half marathon). Teams of 3-4 people are formed and assigned a coach (a peer) to guide them through training for the race. Participants encourage each other through training sessions and building relationships with one another through their shared interest in running and participating in the race.
A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
For the pedometer challenge, the institution provides pedometers for all participants and also provides prizes to the top three teams. For the healthy choices program, the institution provides many opportunities for peer-to-peer wellness programs (including paying peer leaders/instructors, providing snacks, space, and administrative support for nutrition and other support groups). For the Gazelle Girl peer-to-peer training/mentoring program, the institution pays for all race fees and provides training documents and general administration of the program.
The website URL where information about the program is available (2nd program):
Name(s) of the employee educator program(s) (all other programs):
Number of employees served by all other programs:
A brief description of how the employee educators are selected (all other programs):
Faculty and staff are asked to submit a short application regarding their projects or research in sustainability related topics. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Sustainability Practices. The office makes an effort to be as inclusive as possible and to expand the program as interest increases.
A brief description of the formal training that the employee educators receive (all other programs):
Faculty, staff, and students are given time to give a brief introduction of their work, and then all participants are given the opportunity to converse and discuss their interests in further detail. This program has resulted in increased collaboration on sustainability issues and has led to interdisciplinary grant applications/projects.
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program(s) (all other programs):
The institution provides the location, food, and compensation for staff time.
The website URL where information about the program(s) is available (all other programs):
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.