| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.25 |
| Liaison | Jacob Saffert |
| Submission Date | Feb. 4, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Saint John's University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jacob
Saffert Sustainability Fellow Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
| Yes or No | |
| Active student groups focused on sustainability | Yes |
| Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems | Yes |
| Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes | Yes |
| Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills | Yes |
| Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles | Yes |
| Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences | Yes |
| Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills | Yes |
| Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution | Yes |
| Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions | No |
| Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives | --- |
The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
Our institution has two such groups meeting on campus regularly: ECHO and the Sustainability Alliance. Both groups focus on bringing environmental awareness to campus and promoting sustainable practices. These groups are responsible for planning events to promote sustainability. These clubs are both student-governed with a faculty/staff advisor. The Outdoor Leadership Center and the Peer Resource Program both advocate sustainability on campus as well.
The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:
A greenhouse was recently constructed at SJU. The structure uses passive solar heating to allow for vegetable growing even during the cold winter months. The produce is sold to SJU Dining Services to be used in the on-campus dining hall.
The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
The Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship was involved in the establishment of the solar winter greenhouse.
Students in Free Enterprise is an organization that develops business leaders for the future. They focus on improving lives, strengthening communities and developing socially responsible business leaders. Sustainability plays a key role in this process. It should also be noted that SJU has its own student-started and student-operated coffee shop called Johnnie Java, which supports fair-trade coffee products.
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
SJU has set aside a sum of money that will be used to grant zero interest loans to projects with cost savings. The cost savings will pay back the loan until 120% of the loan is paid off. As the fund grows, more and larger projects can be initiated. There are a multitude of ways we can decrease consumption of energy and products. The results are decreased operating costs and a more sustainable campus. Since part of sustainability is equity, anyone can submit a proposal and it will be reviewed. Projects will be audited and results will be posted to prove the viability and legitimacy of the fund. A committee of faculty, staff, administration, and students will govern the fund. If you would like to learn more about the funds read the charter pages in the Related Links area on this page.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
Throughout the year there are various speakers and events related to sustainability. These events act to give students more resources and information about sustainable practices. These events include learning about zero waste living and sustainable local foods.
The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
While there are many examples of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability, some include the maple syrup festivals and the St. John's pottery exhibits.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Our institution has an Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) and Arboretum which provides educational experiences for students outdoors. These events include ice skating, cross country skiing, canoeing, hiking, camping, etc. The purpose is to educate students about our local environment while being sustainable. Both programs follow the Leave No Trace principle.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The entire campus designated the 2010-2011 academic year as the Year of Sustainability. The themed activities and programming incorporated sustainability into all aspects of student life including curriculum, residential life and the Physical Plant on campus.
Additionally, every student at Saint John's must complete a year-long seminar course during their first year. These courses come in a wide range of topics including sustainability.
The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Saint John's has two living-learning communities focused on sustainability. These eco-houses take some responsibility to educate the greater SJU community about issues of sustainability by organizing events and leading by example.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
The SJU Office of Sustainability typically hires 1-5 students to help in the office and ot gain experiences related to sustainability programming and education.
Saint John's Outdoor University employs several student naturalists. Other departments and offices on campus also hire student employees whose work at least partially focuses on sustainability.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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.