Overall Rating Bronze
Overall Score 36.37
Liaison Melanie Knowles
Submission Date March 5, 2021

STARS v2.2

Kent State University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Leah Graham
Outreach/Recycling Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Office of Government and Community Relations

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership?:
Sustainability-related

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? :
Not Sure

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability:

https://www.kent.edu/gcr
MISSION STATEMENT
The Office of Government and Community Relations cultivates effective and sustainable relationships with federal, state and local elected officials and staff, community and private sector stakeholders, to advance the vision, mission and values of Kent State University and the communities we serve.

VISION STATEMENT
To be the public sector hub and trusted advisor for Kent State University and our community partners.
Community Relationships:
https://www.kent.edu/kent/news/kent-state-and-city-kent-honored-catalytic-partnership-award
Kent State University and the city of Kent, Ohio, were awarded the inaugural Catalytic Partnership Award for their collaboration to revitalize downtown Kent and improve the connectivity of the campus and the city.
https://www.kent.edu/einside/news/town-gown-relations-city-kent-kent-state-continue-strategic-partnership
Kent State University reaffirmed its relationship with the city of Kent by recently hosting two town-gown events on the Kent Campus. The events included a Housing Summit coordinated by Kent State’s Office of Government and Community Relations and the annual Town-Gown Dinner hosted by Kent State President Beverly Warren. Both events took place at Kent State’s Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and signaled the continuing strength of the university and the city’s relationship.

Understanding the importance of the relationship, the university and the city partnered to conduct a study of housing in the community. The result was the “Comprehensive Community Housing Study and Needs Analysis.” The purpose of the Housing Summit was to review the data produced by the study, which will help the city in identifying possible housing priorities and strategies that will promote the development of needed housing opportunities throughout the community.

https://www.kent.edu/tags/town-gown
Various events highlighting town-gown partnerships


Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Community Engaged Learning

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Sustainability-focused

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (2nd partnership):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):

https://www.kent.edu/community
Education at Kent State University goes beyond textbooks, lectures, and the walls of a classroom. Community Engaged Learning promotes a culture of active and engaged learners by integrating opportunities for students to apply theories and knowledge through real world experiences. Community Engaged Learning cultivates civic involvement and community building across Kent State, the surrounding community and the globe. Through one-time and on-going volunteer opportunities and course-based experiences, Community Engaged Learning fosters a deeper understanding of course content and civic commitment in students.

Days of Service https://www.kent.edu/community/days-service
Alternative Breaks https://www.kent.edu/community/alternative-breaks
Campus Kitchen https://www.kent.edu/community/campus-kitchen
Experiential Learning Requirement https://www.kent.edu/community/experiential-learning-requirement-elr-0
Volunteering with Community Organizations


Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Annual Throw N Go with Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Sustainability-focused

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (3rd partnership):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):

https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/throw-n-go
THROW N GO
Each year during move out, nearly 100,000 pounds of non-perishable food, clothes, rugs, furniture and other items are donated by residence hall students via the Throw ‘n’ Go program, benefiting Portage Family and Community Services.

Throw N Go Throw N Go is Kent State University’s annual program that started in 2003 in partnership with Portage County Family and Community Services: Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. At the end of year, from spring break until move out, Kent State University residence hall students donate clothes, nonperishable food, rugs, furniture and other usable items via the Throw N Go program. Bins placed in designated areas in the residence halls collect donations that benefit Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center, and all items are distributed to people in need at no cost. This program also keeps quality items out of the dumpsters and reduces waste sent to the landfill. Collection bins are also located in the KSU Alumni Center for off-campus students. In the spring of 2019, 63,592 pounds (31.8 tons) were donated from Kent State University to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. This program is coordinated by Kent State University Residence Services and the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. Residence Services provides access, determines bin locations and communicates and promotes information to about 6,000 students in about 25 locations. Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center provides temporary bins and takes items donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center. The Office of Sustainability promotes Throw N Go. The Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center offers gently used clothing, household items and appliances to families and individuals in need at absolutely no cost to over 3,000 individuals and families every month. Kent State University donated 31.8 tons (about 15%) of the 215 tons the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center diverted from the landfill last year.


A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:

KENT GREEN ENERGY OHIO TOUR https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/kent-green-energy-ohio-tour
This tour is coordinated by Kent State University Office of Sustainability and the City of Kent, Ohio Sustainability Commission annually.
This FREE self-guided open house is the 3rd Annual Kent Green Energy Ohio Tour and is part of the 17th Annual Green Energy Ohio Tour that highlights sites that are using innovative technologies that benefit the environment. While the Kent State University Field House solar array has been a part of the Greater Akron Solar Tour in the past, this is the third year for multiple tour sites in Portage County. The Kent Clean Transportation Cruise-In showcases energy efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles, and is part of the Kent Creativity Festival. The Kent Green Energy Ohio Tour is a joint event coordinated by the Kent State University Office of Sustainability, the city of Kent's Sustainability Commission and Green Energy Ohio.

SUSTAINABILITY MONTH DECLARED BY MAYOR OF KENT, OHIO https://www.kent.edu/sustainability/campus-sustainability-month
City of Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala signed a proclamation making October 'Sustainability Month' in the City of Kent. (2017, 2018, 2019)
Sustainability Month proclamation in the City of Kent by Mayor Jerry Fiala
Mayor Jerry Fiala signed a proclamation, to go into effect Oct. 1, 2018, making October 2018 'Sustainability Month' in the City of Kent. The citizens of the City of Kent have a long history of working to protect and enhance the environment, economic, and social well-being of the community. Throughout the month of October the City of Kent Sustainability Commission encourages citizens and visitors to use sustainable methods of living such as clean alternative modes of transportation, water conservation, and recycling.
The City of Kent, Ohio and Kent State University Office of Sustainability share information to include what Kent State is doing in October for the City of Kent, Ohio Mayor's Proclamation of 'Sustainability Month'


Website URL where information about the institution’s community partnerships to advance sustainability is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Updated by Leah Graham 2/13/18; Updated by Leah Graham 2/26/2020


Updated by Leah Graham 2/13/18; Updated by Leah Graham 2/26/2020

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