| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.92 |
| Liaison | Christie-Joy Hartman |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
James Madison University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Christie-Joy
Hartman Executive Director ISNW |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Examples of organizations are below. Additional JMU student organizations categorized as "environmental" can be found at https://beinvolved.jmu.edu/organizations?categories=2734.
Net Impact
"JMU Net Impact Undergrad aims to educate, equip and inspire our members to use the power of business to create a more environmentally and socially beneficial world."
Environmental Management Club
"Purpose: to give members unique opportunities to learn about the world we live in and ways to make a positive impact upon it."
Campus Kitchen
"Campus Kitchen is an organization which aims to give food waste a new life by distributing unused food from dining halls and from around the community to local community organizations in need."
Geography Club
"Geography Club is a student organization at James Madison University full of geography enthusiasts passionate about global and local communities who work to introduce and promote the knowledge of geographical issues. Members are united by the beliefs that we have the ability to alter the relationship between human societies and the environment in a positive way. Membership is not restricted to Geographic Science students."
Information quoted from the "Be Involved" website.
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?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The JMU farm, located in Port Republic, consists of 12 hectares of second growth forest, 300 meters of frontage on the North River (just upstream of the formation of the Shenandoah River), and an historic brick house. This facility is intended to:
-provide an ideal space in which to disseminate environmental information to school students and community groups,
-support on-going JMU student projects involving air quality, surface and ground water quality, and alternative energy systems, and
-provide an inviting off-campus venue for workshops, meetings and symposia.
Multiple students complete projects involving the farm annually.
Virginia Sea Grant is a multi-university network (of which JMU is a member) working to advance the resilience and sustainability of Virginia's coastal and marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Virginia Sea Grant offers fellowships and research support. At the time of submission, they were accepting applications for graduate research and post-graduate fellowships, and faculty-student team projects. Virginia Sea Grant aims to maintain sustainable and thriving commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture production in Virginia through cutting edge research and "feet on the boat" extension work. The Marine Advisory Program Seafood Education Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), in partnership with Virginia Sea Grant, helps meet this need by communicating current research information on seafood in an interesting, useful, and timely manner through workshops and seminars, cooking demonstrations, professional development programs for chefs, and a website.
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)?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
A "Fueled" food truck was initiated by students but is operated by JMU Dining Services. See AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory.
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?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility at JMU, and units across the campus organize many events annually as part of their series and similar events. Examples are below.
1. "Common Ground - Soil Biodiversity and Sustainability," Dr. Diana H. Wall, University Distinguished Professor and Director, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University. February 26, 2016. Organized by JMU's Cohen Center for the Humanities as part of their speaker series.
2. "The End of Night? The Challenge of Light Pollution," Dr. Paul Bogart, Associate Professor, Department of English, James Madison University. November 9, 2016. Organized by JMU's Cohen Center for the Humanities as part of their speaker series.
3. East Campus Hillside Fifth Anniversary Celebration. April 19, 2017. Organized by the JMU's Department of Integrated Science and Engineering, Dr. Thomas Benzing, Professor.
4. The Center for Global Engagement hosts an annual International Week. The 2018 theme was “Our Changing Climates: Everybody’s Business." Proposals from across campus were submitted for events. Over 12 events were held.
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?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
Examples of cultural activities include:
"Source and Confluence: Exploring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed" was on exhibit in the New Image Gallery. Photographer Scott Jost was creating a portrait of this vast historical and ecological treasure by focusing on its river and stream origins and confluences. Chesapeake Bay is the third largest estuary in the world, and its watershed is home to approximately 17 million people. September and October 2016.
"Identity, Ethics and Volunteerism with Endangered Species," Dr. Jennifer Byrne, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, James Madison University. Organized by the Institute for Visual Studies as part of their colloquium. October 17, 2018.
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?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
(1) University Recreation's (UREC's) Adventure Program plans an assortment of trips that teach and follow "Leave No Trace" principles, including hiking, kayaking, skiing, canoeing, and other outings.
(2) The Wilderness Therapy Programs are a collaborative effort between the Counseling Center and UREC.
The general program is a five day, four night therapeutic adventure program in the George Washington National Forest during the week of spring break. Participants will include two to three counseling center clinicians, one to two certified guide(s) from UREC, and six to ten students. Over the course of this trip, students will backpack through the wilderness and experience outdoor education sessions and therapy process groups. Activities include but are not limited to learning proper shelter and camp building techniques, Leave No Trace Education, proper water filtration techniques as well as process groups, intra- and inter-personal skill building, natural interventions, and self-reflection. The purpose of this program is to use adventure as a platform to improve relational skills, build self-confidence and self-efficacy, and increase healthy coping skills.
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)?:
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The University Recreation Center (UREC) offers one hour, no cost programs.
(1) Examples of Nutrition and Wellness sustainability-related programs offered in Fall 2018 include:
Cooking with Seasonal Produce: In this class participants will learn about a seasonal produce item specific to that month and cook a recipe using this item.
Cosmos Catastrophe: Are you frustrated with the way we are treating the earth? Do you want to make a difference in the environment? Do you care about having a healthy earth for your grandchildren in 50 years? Want to know how you personally are impacting the earth with your ecological footprint? Join us in learning about plastic, pollution, the food industry, energy sources, and water waste and discover easy ways to make an environmental impact.
Mother Nature's Beef with Meat: Have you ever thought about what that cheeseburger went through before it ended up on your plate? Do you ever wonder about the impact your daily choices are making on our planet? Believe it or not, meat consumption is a major mover in environmental degradation. Join us to learn how to use your diet choices to be more environmentally friendly.
The programs are designed and facilitated by UREC student staff members. The goal is to have these students apply what they have learned in the classroom to positively impact the health and well-being of the JMU community. Students determine all program names, descriptions, learning outcomes, general outlines, and final presentations with the assistance of the Assistant Director for Fitness & Wellness, University Recreation and Wellness Student Managers.
(2) UREC also offers bicycling programs including:
-Bicycling 101 - Learn the basics of bicycle care.
-Two Wheels, Two Scoops - Bicycle around town and stop for ice cream.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability annually employs undergraduate and/or graduate students. Facilities Management's sustainability team also offers employment to students. Some examples of projects to which student employees contributed include waste bins and recycling station message updates, graphic and web design, and a campus sustainability map and tour development.
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?:
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
Each year James Madison University offers student-led and developed service breaks to locations in the United States and abroad. Some service breaks are sustainability focused. Each service team typically consists of 12 student participants, two student co-leaders and a faculty or staff learning partner. Most breaks take place during the spring break period, but breaks are offered at all of the JMU academic breaks. While working with national and international communities, the James Madison University Alternative Break Program trains and immerses students in a purposeful service experience designed to connect students and community members while enhancing personal growth, mutual awareness and life-long learning.
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):
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Responsible party for student organization information: Ms. Katie Lese, Coordinator, Organization Development
Responsible party for Alternative Break information: Community Service Learning at http://www.jmu.edu/abp/
Responsible party for student employment opportunities: Dr. Christie-Joy Hartman, Executive Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Responsible party for "Leave No Trace": UREC at http://www.jmu.edu/recreation/adventure/index.shtml
Some information entered by Ms. Melissa Altman.
Responsible party for student organization information: Ms. Katie Lese, Coordinator, Organization Development
Responsible party for Alternative Break information: Community Service Learning at http://www.jmu.edu/abp/
Responsible party for student employment opportunities: Dr. Christie-Joy Hartman, Executive Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
Responsible party for "Leave No Trace": UREC at http://www.jmu.edu/recreation/adventure/index.shtml
Some information entered by Ms. Melissa Altman.
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.