| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.70 |
| Liaison | Tracey Coronado |
| Submission Date | April 5, 2021 |
Missouri State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Doug
Neidigh Sustainability Coordinator Environmental Management |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The Green Student Alliance (GSA) is the active sustainability-focused organization at Missouri State. The group is entirely student governed with new student officers elected by members each year. GSA works to educate and promote sustainability both within the club and to all students. GSA meets every two weeks and hosts and attends sustainable events and outings throughout the year like local stream cleanings and coordinating recycling for home sporting events. Every year, GSA organizes the annual sustainability conference and/or Ecopalooza.
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project 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 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.
https://www.missouristate.edu/sustainability/campus-garden.htm
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
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.
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative 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:
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.
https://www.missouristate.edu/sustainability/student-sustainability-fund.htm
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
The theme of Missouri State University's Fall 2018 Public Affairs Conference, The 2018 Public Affairs conference on campus focused on "Unity in Community". This event sought to address divisive issues that concern our communities. Not only the geographic areas where we live, but also the tribal, interpersonal, intellectual, and digital communities where we exist. While the idea of unity might seem distant and unattainable, at Missouri State, we affirm our inalienable constitutional rights. We celebrate our diversity and champion the rights of those who hold differing or opposing views. Some of the following sustainability components were addressed: Poverty, Justice, Green Infrastructure, Education.
https://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/conference/archive2018fall/schedule
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Students involved in the green Student Alliance, Student Government Association, and Live Life Green, set up the annual Ecopalooza event. This event includes live music performances, and booths for vendors to display sustainability-related crafts, products and services in Spring 2019.
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
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 Outdoor Adventures program does follow Leave No Trace principles.
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Bears for Sustainability program for first-year and returning students. Bears for Sustainability students will become environmentally responsible citizens through education and community outreach opportunities that promote sustainability. Join the green movement by committing to live sustainably and creating positive environmental change locally and globally. https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/bears-for-sustainability.htm
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
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 2019-2020 academic year. The workshops focused on educating and helping students implement sustainable practices. Workshop topics included a wide variety: green cleaning, green crafts, clothing and costume swaps. Education strategies were delivered through discussions, student organization field trips, and hands-on practice.
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.
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
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
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.