| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.98 |
| Liaison | Joanne Wong |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Mills College
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Britta
Bullard Sustainability Coordinator Campus Facilities |
Does the institution coordinate one or more ongoing student, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs that meet the criteria for this credit?:
Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
Name of the student educators program (1st program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):
Eco-Reps are work-study students who raise awareness about ecological issues, encourage environmentally responsible behavior in their peers, and plan related events and activities. There are currently three programmatic areas in which students are able to engage deeply and lead, while taking on a supporting role in the activities of their fellow Eco-Reps. These areas include the Creek Restoration Program, the Urban Farm at Mills College, and the Recycling and Compost Programs. There are two Creek Restoration Eco-Reps, one Urban Farm Eco-Rep, and one 3R&C Eco-Rep. The Creek Restoration Eco-Reps lead weekly Creek Care Days, maintaining and enhancing the campus creek restoration sites. They are also in charge of educational presentations and materials to enhance their peers' understanding of restoration and ecosystems. The Urban Farm Eco-Rep also leads weekly work days, which has increased to two work days a week for the spring semester. This includes weeding, propagating, composting, planting, harvesting, and educational outreach and engagement. The 3R&C Eco-Rep is currently coordinating the RecycleMania Competition. Duties also include maintaining the signage for the campus and trainings on sorting. All of the Eco-Reps come together to hold larger events on broader themes of sustainability.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):
The positions are through the campus work-study program. An official job description is offered online. Students submit an application and attend an interview with the Sustainability Coordinator. Successful Eco-Representatives are invited to reapply for the next year and their prior high performance counts heavily towards being re-hired.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):
The career services office provides an introductory training in professionalism and how to navigate the work study system. Ongoing training in sustainable principles and actions, different forms of engagement and communications, leadership development, campus programs and operations, and program specific knowledge occur through weekly meetings with the Sustainability Coordinator. For the Creek Restoration Program and the Urban Farm at Mills College, further hands-on training occurs during the work days. By the end of one semester, the Eco-Rep is able to lead work days independently. For the Recycling and Compost Programs, training is provided via campus tours of the waste systems, waste audits, and introductions to appropriate facilities managers.
A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
The institution supports the running of the Sustainability Center, including a Sustainability Coordinator and paid Eco-Rep positions. Financial support for basic supplies and food for programming is also provided.
Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
Spokes Folks Bike Co-op is a student-run, college-owned space that promotes cycling and provides access to tools and resources. Volunteers host open hours so students are able to use the tools to maintain their bicycles. This past year, students brought tools and resources outside of the commuter lounge to help peers fix their bikes. Some volunteers have helpful mechanical knowledge to share with those who want to learn how to repair their bicycles. The Co-op also partners with community organizations to host workshops, skill share events, and group rides. The space is open to all members of the Mills College community.
Mission statement:
Spokes Folks Bike Co-op strives to make bicycles accessible for everyone, to further environmental justice and sustainability, and to support sustainable transportation and exploration.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
The Spokes Folks Bike Co-op Manager is recruited by the Sustainability Coordinator according to interest, commitment, and ability to provide educational opportunities along with mechanical assistance to Mills community members. At this time, it is a volunteer position. It is the hope of the Sustainability Coordinator that this position will become a compensated position supported by the Mills College student government, the ASMC. The Manager recruits several other key student volunteers to implement programming.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
The Sustainability Coordinator has regular check-ins with the Spokes Folks Bike Co-op Manager, providing training in program building, event implementation, outreach strategies, and stategies in how to futher build the program. Mechanical training is provided through connections to external bicycle shops and cooperatives. The Sustainability Center also sponsored the Manager's attendance to the annual AASHE Conference.
A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
The Sustainability Coordinator is the staff advisor for this program. Mills College has provided the space used by the Bike Co-op (next to the Sustainability Center).
Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (all other programs):
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (all other programs):
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (all other programs):
A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):
Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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.