Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 44.86
Liaison Elisabeth Reed
Submission Date Feb. 25, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Illinois State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Elisabeth Reed
Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:

The Renewable Energy Society is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) which is focused on students advancing their knowledge in renewable energy and sustainability. The organization has events within the community that focus on these topics. The Office of Sustainability has workers that volunteer each semester on the development of sustainable practices at the university. The Solar Car Team is composed of students that wish to help build the ISU Solar Car which is raced every year in competitions. The Student Sustainability Fund is composed of students that decide which students on campus will get funding for sustainable projects that they propose to the board. The Student Environment Action Coalition (SEAC) is an RSO that works to protect the environment and the future of the community.


The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:

The university teaches its agriculture classes in The Ropp Agriculture Building. This building houses classrooms, a modern greenhouse, and laboratory space (Including facilities for nutrition, soils, agronomy, meat science, agricultural engineering technology, and horticulture). The University Farm is utilized extensively for teaching, research, and outreach activities. The Horticulture Center provides a focal point and support for horticultural instruction and scholarship for students and faculty.


The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
Yes

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:

Students initiated an electronic repair business (ISU iRepair), and a self-sustaining apiary through which the students sell honey. (http://www2.phy.ilstu.edu/~wenning/ISUBKClub/)


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:

ISU has a Student Sustainability Fund that allocated funds each year to students, faculty, and staff for one-time only projects through the agreed upon process.


The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:

The Center for Renewable Energy hosts the Illinois Renewable Energy Conference every year. It features plenary session speakers of interest to all areas of renewable energy, plus breakout sessions in tracks on policy, technical information, and case studies for wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy.
Business Week is an annual panel of events put on by the College of Business. It includes a Corporate Social Responsibility Day and a keynote speaker on the topic of sustainability.


The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:

The College of Fine Arts regularly hosts exhibits and performances addressing various issues related to sustainability. Their most recent photo series focuses on juvenile justice.


The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:

The Recreation Center has a set of programs called "Adventure Connection" that takes students on outdoor trips. There are 3-hour night hikes and stargazing, all-days trips such as day hiking or white-water rafting, or even a week-long paddling trip.


The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

The Healthy You, Healthy Earth Wellness & Sustainability Fair is an annual program that includes presentations on how to improve both areas in your life, exhibitors from the university and town, prizes, and recycling collectors. The University's Health and Wellness Department offers CSA's, and many programs related to finances, culture, mental health, and healthy relationships.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

The Office of Sustainability hires interns and serves as the repository for employment opportunities in the sustainability field. Each of the departments has employer partners and career fairs which provide assistance to students in their particular field of interest. The Career Center and the Office of Sustainability assist students in preparing their resumes to reflect the skill sets that are characteristic of sustainability practitioners.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledges:

Illinois State’s sustainability pledge was established to encourage members of the University community to take personal action in their daily lives that enhance the sustainability efforts on campus and in the community. It covers topics such as energy conservation, reduce/reuse/recycle, healthy lifestyle, and fiscal responsibility.


The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
Yes

A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:

The goal of the Environmental Stewardship Award is to recognize campus groups and departments that are helping to further the University's sustainability mission as identified in Educating Illinois. Research projects, ongoing environmental education programs, individual efforts, and innovative program implementation are just a few of the efforts that are acceptable for recognition.


The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
10

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.