Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 34.80
Liaison Alicia Hodenfield
Submission Date June 27, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Sonoma State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Kyle Young
Student
Sonoma State Univ
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 No
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 No

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

Students for Sustainability Club: The club’s mission statement: "Our purpose is to cultivate a sense of culture between students and faculty through the platform of sustainability.” Community engagement, awareness, and policy transparency are among many of the possible outcomes from this club. Their vision is to establish a group of individuals who will act within their community to promote sustainable resolutions in regards to the environment, economy, and society as a whole.
The clubs goals are to:
1. Collaborate with the community on sustainable initiatives that aid the development of the club along with the campus community.
2. Promote Sonoma State unity through mutual relationships among diverse social networks like other clubs, Greek life, and student run organizations.
3. Use sustainability as a catalyst to promote a thriving living and learning environment for students.
4. Engage interested students in policy forums and discussions like the Sustainability Council


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:

Campus Garden: With the support of our department, SSU students have maintained a food-producing organic garden on campus since the 1970’s. Over the years the garden was renamed the “Garden Classroom” and was moved to the current site (on the Campus Master Plan) adjacent to the Environmental Technology Center. The garden is a nexus for many student groups, but the goal is the same. Volunteers from classes in many disciplines across campus, IRA-funding volunteer coordinators and site managers, students in ENSP’s course on Agroecology, JUMP groups, student clubs seeking service opportunities, and many others put in the hours and effort to help the garden thrive. The primary goal of the Garden Classroom is producing fresh, healthy, organic produce for people in need. We accomplish this task by working with our local food bank (NOAH – Neighbors Organized Against Hunger), based on Snyder Lane only a few blocks from campus. On most Wednesdays, SSU students harvest and deliver to the food back a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegies. We average well over 1000 lbs of produce a year representing dozens of different food crops.


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:

Farmster: The goal of Farmster is to create a way for people to become more aware of their produce. Mainly, where it comes from and how it's grown.​ With a focus on staying local and developing a sustainable business model, Farmster plans to stay in Sonoma County and hopes to work among crop-producing individuals in the area.


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

Environmental Forum: A class available for all students to drop in on or sign up to get college credit that has speakers, alumni, nonprofit representatives, and faculty that work with sustainability in mind to come and give a presentation.
Sustainability Day: A day devoted to the sustainable works, programs, and ideals of sustainability.
Earth Day: A student run all day event on Earth Day with activates, displays, and talks about our earth and how to be sustainable on it.


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:

The "Soundscape Project": This was a unique collaboration and cross-disciplinary project engaging Sonoma State University students studying environment studies, engineering science and dance bring to the stage a original and unique dance piece showcasing the sounds of natural soundscapes. The perfect merger of art and science, the Soundscape Project uniquely blends video and acoustic recordings. With training from naturalist and bioacoustics expert Dr. Bernie Krause, students from Environmental Studies and Planning recorded a diversity of natural and man-made sounds in the field. SSU engineering students archived recorded material and created "best of" recordings to be made available as indoor soundscapes and ambient noise for events and functions. Choreographers Christine Cali and Kristen Daley and dance students used the original score to explore the sounds and create a new interpretive dance performance.


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:

Outdoor Pursuits Program from the REC Center: Our programs include activities such as hiking, backpacking, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, cycle touring, mountain biking, hot spring soaking, backcountry cooking and camping. To supplement our programs ODP also offers a range of Wilderness Medicine courses and Wilderness Orientation experiences throughout the year. While our trips and courses may vary in terms of commitment and physical demands, all trips are designed for those with little or no prior experience in mind. Outdoor Pursuits trips are a great way to gain knowledge and experience with outdoor skills, make new friends, escape into the natural world and explore the limits of what you are capable of! All trips will include components on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, principles and practices.


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:

Adventure Living Freshman Living Community: This community is for students interested in exploring programs and activities around campus and throughout Sonoma County. Sonoma County’s proximity to the ocean, mountains with great hiking and biking trails, and the greater Bay Area provide a great setting for exciting exploration.


The website URL where information about the theme is available:
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A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

The Wellness Community is a space for students to connect with peers who are excited about lifelong health and well-being for all. This community would be ideal for those students interested in the health-related or social science fields, and/ or those students committed to a substance-free lifestyle. Examples of programs for this theme include exercise programs in partnership with the Recreation Center, outdoor activities, stress relief activities, healthy cooking demonstrations, community health and wellness volunteer opportunities, and science-related career exploration.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:

Sustanability ambasidor for culinary servises: A position that supervises and focuses on improving the sistanable nature of the campuses culinary servises. Sustainability director of JUMP. Senator of Sustainability for student government. The Sustainability Coordinator of the REC Center.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
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A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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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.