| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.84 |
| Liaison | Paul Edlund |
| Submission Date | Feb. 19, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Montana State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Mathew
Bain Intern Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Sustainability Now (SNow)- SNow collaborates with community and campus entities on projects related to sustainability such as monthly volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and developing efficiency programs. SNow acts as the unifying body for students concerned with sustainability and represents the student body on these issues. SNow approaches sustainability through service, education, and activism.
Friends of Local Foods- This group is a Sustainable Foods and Bio-energy System Program Collaborative working to engage MSU students in local food issues by promoting education, awareness, and action in areas such as food security, sustainability, nutrition, and food systems. We aim to bring together students and community members from diverse backgrounds, areas of study, and passions to bring innovative and practical solutions to local food issues on campus and within the community.
MSU Montana Wilderness Association- MSU WILD seeks to connect outdoors-minded students with each other, and engage in measures to steward Montana's wilderness areas through student led activism and community engagement.
Food Resource Council- The mission of the Food Resource Council is to evaluate needs and create solutions related to food access and food waste on the MSU campus to ensure that MSU is a leader in stewardship of its community and environment.
Enactus-Social Impact Club- This group is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world.
Thrive on Plants: TOP is an inclusive community for anyone that is looking to discover plant-based foods to boost their personal heath, improve the quality of the environment, protect animals, and fulfill their potential while celebrating life.
Solar Car Club: The Solar Car Club strives to propagate interest in photo-voltaic technology throughout the world and educate the community on the possibilities of a solar powered future. Their current goal is to build a functioning solar powered car that can compete in solar races held around the world.
Science Policy Advocacy Network (SPAN): SPAN is an MSU organization advocating for science-informed policy making at the university, local, state, and federal levels of government. They aim to use their position as students and faculty at a research university to rally support for progressive, sustainable, and scientific policies in Montana. Their goal is to make policy influence accessible to scientists, who often face different obstacles and pressures when making their voices heard in the political arena.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Engineers (ASHRAE): ASHRAE advances the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.
Solar 4 Everyone: Solar 4 Everyone's mission is to fight poverty and climate change by helping to provide renewable energy to nonprofits and low-income people.
Range Management Club: The Range Management Club exists to promote the knowledge and better management of North American rangelands and natural resources. Rangelands are complex and diverse systems that produce products such as food, fiber, forage, water, minerals, energy, wood, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. As future managers of rangelands we are committed to understanding how these systems function, and to becoming equipped to manage them so they are able to sustainably produce the above products.
Wild Sheep Foundation Student Chapter: The Montana State University Wild Sheep Foundation Student Chapter adheres to the mission, vision, purpose, and values of the national Wild Sheep Foundation. We strive to enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.
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:
Towne's Harvest Garden- The Towne's Harvest Garden is a three-acre diversified vegetable and educational research farm supporting a student-run, community-supported agriculture program. Towne's Harvest Garden promotes learning about food production, the value of eating and supporting local foods, community building, and individual empowerment.
Several edible food gardens also exist throughout MSU's campus.
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:
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:
Events are regularly held throughout the year pertaining to a variety of sustainability related topics. Some examples include:
Our Shared Place: The present and future of recreation in the Greater Yellowstone
Kerry Shepard's Higher Education for Sustainability and Empowering Students in Sustainability Workshop Series
Unifying Sustainability: A discussion on the future of sustainable agriculture
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:
Network of Environmentally Conscious Organizations (NECO) created a recycled art installation in collaboration with the MSU Renne Library that was on display for three months. They created this for the library's Call of the Wild theme and for educational outreach to students and staff.
Engineers Without Boarders holds a Junk to Funk Fashion show every year showcasing outfits made from recycled materials. This event is to raise awareness of waste reduction and promote sustainability on campus.
Every year during Earth week Sustainability Now (SNow) and the MSU Office of Sustainability organize a large event celebrating sustainability efforts through a "Sustainabilibash" fair. Organizations from the university and community are invited to share their work with the public while participants enjoy food, art, and music.
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:
Outdoor Recreation Program (ORP)- The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program provides the university community with opportunities for adventure, discovery, personal growth and engagement via human-powered outdoor adventure pursuits. The ORP provides education on LNT practices during their guided trips and workshops.
Montana Wilderness Association at MSU- MSU WILD Works with students to protect Montana's wilderness heritage, quiet beauty and outdoor traditions, now and for future generations through recreation and education in Montana's Wild places.
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:
Nutritional counseling and education for any dietary or nutrition issue including vegan and vegetarian diets is offered in order to help students navigate their way through Culinary Services dining halls and in making dietary choices while living on campus. MSU's Office of Sustainabiltiy and Residence Life also work together to teach students living on campus sustainable life skills such as recycling and reducing water and electricity consumption.
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 MSU Office of Sustainability provides numerous student employment opportunities, including, project coordinators for various sustainability research and engagement projects, marketing assistants, and recycling associates
Residence Life employs resident advisers who may work on its sustainability committee. As part of this position, they will work on developing sustainability projects and initiatives for the residence halls.
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:
The Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems program offers a summer practicum at Towne's Harvest Garden. The practicum is usually taken in the summer after your Freshman year, and provides hands-on learning experience in small-scale sustainable production and marketing. Towne's Harvest Garden is a six-acre mixed vegetable farm that grows produce for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, local farmers' markets, and the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. SFBS 296 Practicum is designed to give students real-life experiences in food production, community supported agriculture, simple food processing, and food marketing. You will be involved in all aspects of the farm project: planting, maintenance, harvesting, distribution, and sales, and you can specialize in one particular aspect depending on your individual interests and project needs.
Integrated Design Lab Bozeman (IDL)- The Integrated Design Lab | Bozeman is funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Their services include energy and lighting analysis for Montana architects and engineers who wish to become more aware of the environmental impacts of energy consumption. The IDL serves as the Montana contact for energy and daylighting information, education, and tools for assessing integrated design decisions. Located on Montana State University's Bozeman campus, IDL - Bozeman is affiliated with the School of Architecture. Founded by architecture professor Tom Wood, the IDL - Bozeman is now run by Kevin Amende, P.E., and Jaya Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D, LEED AP. Students from the architecture program assist with the Lab's projects.
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:
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.