Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 68.35
Liaison Jessica Bast
Submission Date Aug. 9, 2022

STARS v2.2

North Carolina State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Jessica Bast
Sustainability Program Coordinator
University Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student groups 

Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Yes

Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The Environmental Student Association at NC State (ESA) is a student club and nonprofit established and run by NC State students. ESA works to promote environmental awareness and protection on North Carolina State University’s campus and within its colleges. ESA also strives to connect with other universities, students, and Wake County residents interested in preserving natural resources in order to stimulate environmental support domestically and internationally. A list of other sustainability student groups at NC State can be found using this link: https://getinvolved.ncsu.edu/organizations?categories=12744

Gardens and farms 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
NC State's Agroecology Education Farm promotes agroecology and sustainable food systems by providing a diversity of experiential learning opportunities for NC State and the broader community. More information about the farm can be found here: http://agroecologyfarm.ncsu.edu/

Student-run enterprises 

Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
No

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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Sustainable investment and finance 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
NC State students began contributing a sustainability fee of $1.50 per semester in fall 2013, which has since increased to $2.50. The fee generates up to $150,000 per year for the Sustainability Fund, which awards grants for campus sustainability projects that impact students. A student-led board manages the fund, which offers competitive grants for sustainability-related projects, education and resources that enhance campus and student learning. More information regarding the Sustainability Fund can be found here: https://sustainability.ncsu.edu/get-involved/student-sustainability-fund/

Events 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
In Spring 2021, NC State Poole College of Management hosted its first annual global seminar series exploring how business can create a sustainable world using the UN Sustainability Goals. The University Sustainability Office hosted the second annual ACC Sport Sustainability Conference on May 20-21, 2020. The conference served as an opportunity to unite and leverage the strengths of ACC school to showcase our collective impacts and make meaningful partnerships. The NC State Stewards, the student sustainability ambassadors, hosted the fourth annual Environmental Justice Symposium in April 2021 that focused on the topic of food justice. The event aimed to connect the NCSU community with issues of food insecurity and community-based action. Additionally, the College of Natural Resources, Poole College of Management, and Agriculture and Life Sciences hosted speaker events and lectures centered around sustainable topics.
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Cultural arts 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
The NC State Stewards hosted the second annual eARTh Showcase which featured a variety of student-made artwork focused on the theme of sustainability. This year's theme was focused on the UN Sustainability Goals and featured four student art pieces along with a interactive mural.

Wilderness and outdoors programs 

Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The Outdoor Adventures Office coordinates rental of outdoor clinics and workshops, equipment rentals, a climbing wall, a challenge course, a bike rental program, wilderness trips during weekends and academic breaks as well as an outdoor themed new student orientation program. Wolf Camp is an optional incoming student outdoor program for new students at NC State. Students can sign up for a day and meet other new students while engaging in outdoor activities facilitated by university professionals and student staff. This is a great way for students to get started on their NC State experience before arriving this fall. Students can sign up for one of the dates listed below.

Sustainability-focused themes 

Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Beginning during the Fall 2021 Semester, NC State will launch a campus programming initiative focused around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative, scheduled to last through the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years, will feature a wide array of programs each semester focused around a cluster of SDGs. The purpose of the SDG Campus Programming Initiative is to educate students at NC State as to what the SDGs are, why they are a blueprint for peace and prosperity in the world, and inspire them to take action in support of the goals on their campuses and in their local community.

Sustainable life skills 

Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The NC State Stewards at NC State is a student organization representing the Universisty Sustainability Office. Through on campus presentations, events, and seminars, the Stewards engage the community in various sustainability topics. Several of their events aimed to teach sustainable life skills, including: Fix-it-Fair, featuring tutorials on how to fix common items such as clothing or electronics, an upcycling workshop, and an energy competition between students highlighting ways to minimize energy at home. Other departments and organizations host similar singular events, such as Wellness and Recreation's bike repair workshop.

Student employment opportunities 

Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The University Sustainability Office coordinates an internship program called "Campus as a Classroom." Through this program, students from a variety of academic disciplines are paired with on-campus sustainability projects and work alongside a faculty or staff member in the project's host department. Students work for an entire academic year, are paid, and complete supplementary modules to enhance their knowledge of sustainability and professional development skills.

Graduation pledge

Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
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Optional Fields

A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
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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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