| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.96 |
| Liaison | Tracey Coronado |
| Submission Date | March 15, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Missouri State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Doug
Neidigh Sustainability Coordinator Environmental Management |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student Groups
Yes
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Students for a Sustainable Future (SSF) is the active sustainability-focused organization at Missouri State. The group is entirely student governed with new student officers elected by members each year. SSF works to educate and promote sustainability both within the club and to all students. SSF meets every week and hosts and attends sustainable events and outings throughout the year like local stream cleanings and coordinating recycling for home sporting events. Every year, SSF organizes the annual renewable energy powered concert and sustainability fair called Ecopalooza.
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Gardens and Farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The Missouri State Campus Garden was funded by a student sustainability proposal in 2010. The garden is currently managed by four student workers and is cultivated by student volunteers. It provides students the opportunity to plant, maintain, and harvest healthy produce options used on campus and throughout the community. The students strive to use organic practices and experience every facet of a sustainable food system. The student managers perform all work related to the garden, including planning, purchasing supplies, planting, coordinating volunteers, harvesting and selling produce, marketing, and accounting.
The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Student-Run Enterprises
Yes
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Carrie's Café is entirely operated by students in the Restaurant Management class. Students manage every aspect of production, including food and menu selection, budgeting, preparation, serving, and marketing. Sustainability is a key component of Carrie's Café, emphasizing recycling and reusing strategies, smart energy and water use, and purchase of local food when possible. Carrie's Café currently partners with the campus garden to purchase some of their produce when possible.
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
Sustainable Investment and Finance
Yes
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
In March 2009, students voted to implement a $2 per semester fee to go towards sustainability initiatives on campus. Funds from the student fee are then matched by officials within the University up to $75,000 each academic year. The purpose of the Sustainability Fund is to provide the means to implement student-initiated projects on the Missouri State University-Springfield campus that focus on sustainability initiatives that lessen the negative environmental impact of the University. The Student Sustainability Commission, made up of six voting students and several non-voting faculty and staff members will evaluate all proposals submitted and allocate funds accordingly. The Commission has the authority to reject projects that are environmentally harmful or that primarily benefit a restricted academic department or group of students. Students go through the process of forming their idea into an viable proposal, submitting, and if considered, presenting and defending it before the Commission. This is intended to be a valuable learning experience for student, as well as an opportunity to be involved in something that betters the University and the environment.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
In fall 2017 Will Allen, author and urban farming pioneer, presented to students and community members at the annual Public Affairs Convocation. Mr. Allen shared his history in urban farming and the evolution of his global company, Growing Power Inc., in addition to giving students a call to action in regards to sustainability and food culture future.
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Cultural Arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
Students involved in Eco Reps, a campus sustainability organization, set up Trash Connection, a sustainability exhibit using campus waste during fall 2017 Public Affairs Week. The exhibit included a photo booth and props created with trash, showing students almost anything can be reused. In addition, display components from The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit of Green Revolution displayed in 2014 were reused and incorporated into Trash Connection.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Wilderness and Outdoors Programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Outdoor Adventures creates recreational, educational, and leadership learning opportunities. Students participate in wilderness adventures and in turn gain an appreciation for the outdoors while meeting new people, improving fitness, learning new skills, and having fun.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Sustainability-Related Themes
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The public affairs theme for the 2017-2018 academic year was Sustainability in Practice: Consensus and Consequences. This theme focused on the idea of sustainability from a natural sciences background, while delivering a message encompassing all aspects of human behavior from government to art to human services. It will facilitate a dialogue on practices for a sustainable future. It is implemented through directed curriculum, special events, speakers, and two conferences on campus.
The common reader for the 2017-18 academic year was The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy Food, People, and Communities by Will Allen. All incoming Freshmen read this book as part of GEP 101, First Year Foundations. The book points the way to building a new food system intended to feed and heal communities.
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
Sustainable Life Skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
A series of sustainable living workshops were hosted by students during the 2016-2017 academic year. The workshops focused on educating and helping students implement sustainable practices. Workshop topics included a wide variety: clean cleaning, apartment composting, bulk buying, how to be a green student and potential green careers. Education strategies were delivered through discussions, field trips, and hands-on practice. More information can be found here: https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/193481.htm
The Bears for Sustainability Living Learning Community is open to first year and returning students who want to live in a community, committed to living sustainably and creating positive environmental change locally and globally. Students are provided a wide variety of activities and organizations to reach their goal.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Student Employment Opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The Student Recycling Coordinator Program, managed by Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services provides students with employment opportunities. Students perform recycling services, provide education and raise awareness in their residence hall, and coordinates floor volunteers. More information can be found here: http://reslife.missouristate.edu/Recycling.htm
Student Recycling Workers is an opportunity managed by Environmental Management. Students perform recycling services for all academic buildings and outdoor recycling bins on campus, monitoring the bins and sorting comingled recycling. They also pick up batteries, ink and toner cartridges, and other materials when requested. More information can be found here: https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/193481.htm
Campus Garden Manager positions provide students with a competitive wage and experience with sustainable gardening practices along with the skills of running a large, profitable gardens. They operate all aspects of the garden, in addition to engaging the campus community in volunteering in the garden and purchasing the produce. More information can be found here: https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/193481.htm
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Graduation Pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Other Programs and Initiatives
Yes
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
Each spring, Students for a Sustainable Future host Ecopalooza, a renewable energy powered concert and sustainability fair. The day-long event is entirely student-organized and features campus groups and departments as well as local organizations and businesses that have a sustainability focus.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Optional Fields
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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.