Ringling College of Art and Design
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Tammy
Walsh Dean of Students Student Life |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Ringling College has the "Green Ambassadors" students, United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Students, Student Government Association (SGA)
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:
We have a collaborative volunteer program with our local community garden: Orange Blossom Garden. Students are welcomed to help maintain the garden in exchange for fresh produce, community partnership, and collaboration.
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:
Green ambassadors are students involved in the sustainability culture within our campus.
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:
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:
In the 2019-2020 Academic year, residents assistants were encouraged to follow the C.A.R.E.S (Community, Awareness, Recreational, Educational and Social) programming model. Through this programming model, RAs educated their designated communities on how the can incorporate sustainability into their everyday lives by organizing events such as reusable grocery back decorating and teaming up with a student organization to bring composting onto campus. RAs also educated residents on the local wildlife and how our decisions impact more than just themselves. Additional information was also provided on local and national organizations that focus on sustainability so that students would be empowered to continue to enrich themselves on these topics.
In the 2020-2021 Academic year, resident assistants were introduced to a new model simply called the 3-2-1 model that focused more on the number of programs RAs were expected to host. Three individual programs, two collaborative programs with another RA and one collaborative program with a campus partner. During their training, however, RAs were encouraged to brainstorm programs that covered a wide range of topics. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily impacted the Ringling College community to the point of a majority of, if not all, classes being online, emphasis was put on mental health and pushed Residence Life to think about programming in new ways. Many programs included plant care and education and virtual tours through natural history museums.
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:
Events exist within Student Life programming initiatives as well as via the academic departments
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:
Ringling College of Art and Design has an Outdoor Recreation program that gives the opportunity for students to go kayaking and hiking in the local environment. Kayaking trips occur once a month, allowing up to 15 students each trip, to take in the local mangrove tunnels and marine life. Hiking trips to local state parks, occur at least once a semester. These trips are designed to allow students to explore Florida’s natural environment.
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:
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:
Campus wide recycling, student life programming, as well as community garden listed above
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Student worker works 20 hours per week at the Energy and Sustainability office.
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.