| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.27 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Oregon State University
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Brandon
Trelstad Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Office |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Does the institution coordinate one or more ongoing student, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs that meet the criteria for this credit?:
Yes
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Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
27,650
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Name of the student educators program (1st program):
Student Sustainability Initiative
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
27,650
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):
The OSU Student Sustainability Initiative (SSI) is a student-fee funded, student-coordinated program within the Department of Student Leadership and Involvement that works to advance student efforts to create a culture of sustainability at OSU. This work falls into three general categories: (a) actions and campaigns directly influencing OSU’s sustainability, (b) education on sustainability issues, and (c) empowerment of students to tackle their own vision of a better world.
Examples of outreach activities include planning and implementing educational events (e.g. the Energy Civil War, which is a competition to produce the most electricity using the recreation center's elliptical machines, and the Alternative Transportation Fair, a full day of activities geared toward promoting bicycling and other alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle), hosting work parties at their organic garden, staffing booths at campus events, and advertising SSI programs, such as the Bike Loan Program.
Program info at http://sli.oregonstate.edu/ssi
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):
Student Sustainability Initiative (SSI) staff are 13 paid positions selected based on a competitive application process and hired by the SSI Fee Board.
SSI Fee Board members (5 voting students) are selected through a competitive application process by previous Board members. Additionally, 5 non-voting members serve to help inform the process or as ex-officio members. The selection process and the SSI program are advised by several OSU professionals: the Student Sustainability Advisor, the Civic Engagement & Service Coordinator and the Sustainability Coordinator. Additional support and advising is also received from other faculty and staff.
Staff, and to some extent Board members, are selected based on demonstrated personal commitment to sustainability, experience in the sustainability-related fields, and aptitude of candidates for conducting peer learning activities, campaign building and other related activities.
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):
SSI staff and board members receive formal training in organizational development, effective campaigning, conflict resolution and non-violent communication, assessment, purchasing, student leadership development, sustainability principles, community organizing and empowerment. Activities include orientation to sustainability at OSU, namely a 2 hour tour of campus sustainability features.
Training is conducted by OSU faculty and contracted off-campus professionals and ranges between 3 and 10 days for staff and half day for Board members, plus additional development opportunities throughout the year.
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
OSU dedicates a minimum of 2.0 FTE of faculty, staff and graduate student time to SSI. Other resources include assistance in purchasing, processing payroll and other logistical support, and additional program assistance from departments like Campus Recycling, the academic colleges and many others.
The SSI budget for FY15 was approximately $374,000, funded from student fees.
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Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
ASOSU Envrionmental Affairs
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
27,650
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
Environmental Affairs acts to develop awareness of our impact on the world around us, and to educate students on environmental issues. They coordinate student committees to plan Earth Week activities, lectures, debates, movies, and projects that will educate students on all aspects of environmental issues. They actively solicit student participation and lend aid on all aspects of environmental issues.
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Student leaders at the Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) are elected through a campus wide vote of all students. ASOSU leadership then selects the Environmental Affairs Director using a competitive application process. This is a paid position that coordinates a team of students who deliver programs to the entire campus community and beyond.
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
Much like SSI, ASOSU leadership is trained through multiple day trainings over the summer and fall that, in ASOSU's case, provide emphasis in leadership development, campaign building, intergovernmental and inter-organizational relations and other areas. ASOSU staff receive additional training specific to their program area.
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
OSU provides robust advising, legal, policy and organizational support to ASOSU. While it is predominantly a student fee funded program, the university provides multiple layers of support to student government. The ASOSU president also sits on the OSU leadership team with the university president and his cabinet.
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Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Residence Hall Eco-Representatives
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
1,285
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
Eco-Representatives (Eco-Reps) are hired students responsible for advancing and institutionalizing a culture of sustainability in the residence halls in which they live. This includes:
- Planning and executing sustainability-focused events (at least one per term)
- Advertising and encouraging involvement in campus-wide sustainability events, including inter-hall recycling and energy competitions
- Educating residents about sustainable lifestyles and resources (common methods included staffing a booth, visiting rooms to talk to residents, hanging or creating posters/signage, Facebook posts, and organizing hall events).
- Coordinating their hall's composting pilot program - recruiting participants, educating and engaging participants, and maintaining compost bins (weighing and tracking data, emptying, and cleaning)
Eco-Reps work 5-8 hours per week and are paid hourly. There were four Eco-Reps during FY15, expanding from 3 the previous two years.
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
Candidates were selected following a competitive application process. Students in any residence hall were invited to submit applications. A hiring committee was assembled (made up of the various partners contributing to the Eco-Rep program) to select applicants to interview, conduct interviews, and select three candidates. These top three candidates determined which three halls would have Eco-Reps.
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
Early in the academic year, Eco-Reps receive specialized training targeted specifically for the types of tasks expected of them. They attend weekly meetings throughout the year with their supervisor and campus partners and received informal trainings from partners on campus sustainability programs and resources.
A lesson book was created by the Sustainability Office specifically for the Eco-Rep program. It is based on Northwest Earth Institute course material. Content is read and reviewed at each Eco-Rep weekly group meeting with a facilitated discussion led by the OSU Sustainability Coordinator.
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
Four campus entities contributed funds to build a $5,300 budget for FY15 wages:
$3,300 from Campus Recycling
$1,000 from University Housing & Dining Services
$500 from the Student Sustainability Initiative
$500 from the Sustainability Office
These same partners offer additional resources, such as printing and supplies, as needed, for Eco-Reps' projects. The Residence Hall Association also provided access to their resource room (which offered computers, printing and office supplies) and the Hall Councils provided funds for event materials when Eco-Reps requested them.
In addition, partners contributed staff time to support Eco-Reps, as needed. In particular, the Sustainability Office supported and supervised the Eco-Reps, providing training, work assignments, admin support, etc.
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Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
Student Outreach Assistant in the Campus Recycling office
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
27,650
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A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (all other programs):
Campus Recycling's Student Outreach Assistant position is a paid student position that focuses on educating and engaging the OSU community (primarily students) in recycling and waste reduction. Duties include planning and implementing educational events (Earth Week, Repair Fairs, America Recycles Day, RecycleMania, etc.), communicating electronically (writing for the blog, Facebook, and recycling website), planning and staffing booths, presenting to student clubs, distributing informational materials, and helping coordinate the student volunteer team the Waste Watchers (including recruiting volunteers, setting meeting agendas, facilitating meetings, and coordinating volunteers at events).
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (all other programs):
When Campus Recycling's Student Outreach Assistant position is vacated, Campus Recycling opens a competitive application process. The Marketing & Development Coordinator (who directly supervises the position) and the outgoing Student Outreach Assistant select applicants, conduct interviews and perform reference checks to make a selection.
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (all other programs):
Campus Recycling's Student Outreach Assistant receives extensive one-on-one training about on-campus recycling and waste reduction how-to's and programs. Training for outreach work (tabling, giving presentations, planning events, coordinating volunteers, etc.) is achieved through observation (e.g. watching an experience person perform the task or reviewing an existing piece of writing) and practice (e.g. role-playing or performing the task while being observed by someone who can provide feedback). Training is provided to the new student employee each time it is filled by a new person. As educational tours of recycling facilities and processes become available, the student is encouraged to join.
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):
Campus Recycling's Student Outreach Assistant is paid for up to 20 hours per week year-round (occasionally more than 20 hours per week during summer), by Campus Recycling. The position receives supervision and support from the full-time Marketing & Development Coordinator. The employee is also provided with a computer and desk for her/his sole use.
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
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The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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.