Skidmore College
EN-5: Outreach Campaign
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Levi
Rogers Director of Sustainability Programs and Assessment Sustainability Office |
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at students and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Has the institution held a sustainability-related outreach campaign during the previous three years that was directed at employees and yielded measurable, positive results in advancing sustainability?:
Name of the campaign:
A brief description of the campaign:
Skidmore Unplugged is an annual three-week energy conservation competition designed to promote energy-conscious behavior through education and action. The program encourages students living on campus to achieve the greatest reduction in electricity consumption and teaches our broader campus community about the environmental and societal implications of energy use. Skidmore's Sustainability Representatives (S-Reps) develop education campaigns and programming to engage the community in conversations about energy use, its impact on people and the environment, and equip members with knowledge, tools, and skills to reduce their energy consumption.
Skidmore Unplugged is one of Skidmore's largest campus-wide sustainability events. Sustainability Reps (S-Reps) often collaborate with a number of other offices, departments, and faculty across the College, including the Office of Student Diversity Program (OSDP), the Office of Religous and Spiritual Life, and student clubs like the Environmental Action Club, SkidEats, and more. Events are held throughout the three-week competition and have included activities like a meditation workshop, an acoustic concert and potluck dinner, and community dialogues about the privilege of unplugging. Beyond campus-wide events, the S-Reps work with residence assistants to develop hall programs and events to engage and educate peers.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign:
The Sustainability Office monitors and tracks electricity use in all campus residence halls and the Sussman Apartment Village. A baseline is created for each hall or apartment building before the competition begins to compare changes in electricity use. The hall with the greatest reduction in energy use is declared the winner of Skidmore Unplugged.
Results dating back to 2009 are below.
2019- Wilmarth, 4.5% reduction
2018- McClellan, 9.4% reduction
2017- McClellan, 10.8% reduction
2016- Howe-Rounds, 1% reduction
2015- Wilmarth Hall, 7% reduction
2014- Penfield Hall, 4.4% reduction
2013- Kimball Hall, 16% reduction
2012- Wilmarth Hall, 8.7% reduction
2011- Wiecking Hall, 4% reduction
2010- Wiecking Hall, 4% reduction
2009- McClellan Hall, 12% reduction
Name of the campaign (2nd campaign):
A brief description of the campaign (2nd campaign):
Give+Go is our annual move-out donation program designed to gather used goods that students leave behind and donate them to local and regional nonprofits where they can be reused or resold. This program diverts tons of material from entering the landfill and gives Skidmore students an opportunity to give back to their community. Over one hundred tons of material have been diverted from entering the landfill. Skidmore partners with the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) which supports workers at the Saratoga Horse Racing Track, as well as community organizations based in Albany, New York.
Give+Go relies heavily on staff and faculty engagement. Faculty/staff volunteers organize efforts in every residence hall and apartment building to encourage students to pack early and donate any unwanted goods. Give+Go donation areas are set-up in every residence building at least one week before move-out. Multiple emails are sent to students and parents that explain the purpose of Give+Go, including information about the community groups that benefit from the program. The Give+Go has truly become a signature event for the Skidmore Community, bringing together more than 50 campus volunteers each year.
A brief description of the measured positive impact(s) of the campaign (2nd campaign):
Every year, Give+Go diverts approximately 40,000 pounds of material from going into the landfill each year. Our donations of unopened food, personal care products, clothing, electronics, and household goods are made available to local and regional communities and organizations.
A brief description of other sustainability-related outreach campaigns:
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.