Overall Rating	Silver - expired
Overall Score	50.27
Liaison	Jessica Thompson
Submission Date	Feb. 18, 2020

STARS v2.2

Northern Michigan University
EN-3: Student Life

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	2.00 / 2.00	Sarah Mittlefehldt Professor Earth, Environmental & Geographical Sciences

"---" 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:

Active student groups include: Conservation Crew, Environmental & Conservation Law Club, Hoop House, EcoReps, Fisheries and Wildlife Association, and Northern Climate Network, Citizens Climate Lobby

These groups do many things, including (1) exploring lifestyles, life choices, education, and careers in line with these practices; (2) grassroots activism on campus and within our community; and (3) organizing and attending functions designed to create awareness for the necessity of sustainable living; (3) promote climate policies on campus; (4) organize community events.

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:

The Northern Michigan University (NMU) Hoop House serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.

Student-run enterprises

Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:

Yes

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:

The NMU Hoop House produces and donates sustainably grown produce. This hoop house employs and is operated by NMU students. It serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.

NMU students also manage the Climbers Cooperative in town, which is open to students and community members who are interested in permaculture and sustainable living.

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?:

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:

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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:

The Northern Climate Network is a campus-wide consortium providing opportunties for faculty, staff, students and community members to discuss and learn about climate change in our region. As of 2020, we have more than 150 members representing 35 different departments and the Marquette community. Interests include community ethics and policy, education and communication, and solutions/alternative energy.

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 Devos Art Museum at NMU frequently features exhibits which relate to some aspect of sustainability. Examples include shows on local endangered wildflower weaving. Forest Roberts theater - Co/Lab performance - What We Leave Behind (https://www.nmu.edu/forestrobertstheatre/what-we-leave-behind-addressing-climate-change). Great Lakes Cycle art + biology resources (https://www.nmu.edu/biology/great-lakes-cycle). Cultural installations in Whitman Hall, Info from Kristen on Devos Art Museum, including Surviving the Anthropocene,

http://art.nmu.edu/department/museum/archive.html#!

http://art.nmu.edu/department/museum/featureThree.html

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 Rec Center organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and other outings for NMU students. These activities are guided/led by students who have taken a variety of Leave No Trace courses. See below for more information on NMU's Outdoor Rec Center and offerings:

https://www.nmu.edu/recsports/outdoor

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:

Diversity Common Reader program often selects books related to social and equitable issues, and the sustainability of these issues. Last year was Redefining Realness by Janet Mock and this year is Southside Buddhist - Ira Sukrungruan. 2) Sustainability Week (https://www.nmu.edu/sustainablenmu/sustainability-week), 3) the annual United Conference includes themes of sustainability, economic and social justice (https://www.nmu.edu/united/)
In 2019, there was a Sustainability Week focused on economic sustainability called "Beyond Green".

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:

EcoReps held formal LNT workshops for students to attend. Following the workshop, students were provided a LNT card. The advertising links for these events have expired but the workshop materials have been added. EcoReps also provided training for residential assistants in dorms to promote sustainable life skills such as waste reduction, composting, mending clothes, energy conservation, and more. EcoReps also organize Sustainability Week (campus-wide) workshops and Unplug Week (residence hall energy conservation competition) workshops.

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:

Both the NMU Hoop House and the NMU Outdoor Learning Area employ student supervisors who oversee the operations & maintenance of the areas in addition to coordinating student worker/volunteer scheduling and involvement.

The NMU Hoop House serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.

The goal of the NMU Outdoor Learning Area is to maintain and develop sustainably designed green spaces for academic and recreational experiences on campus.

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?:

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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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.