| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.16 |
| Liaison | Rebecca Walker |
| Submission Date | Feb. 6, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Southern Oregon University
ER-1: Student Sustainability Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.00 / 5.00 |
Roxane
Beigel-Coryell Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator Facilities Management & Planning |
Total number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
Program name (1st program):
Number of students served by the program to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (1st program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):
Through the Ecology & Sustainability Resource Center (ECOS), peer-to-peer outreach activities are available to all students on campus. In collaboration with other sustainability-minded groups on campus, student educators mainly offer outreach, education and support in the areas of recycling and waste reduction, water consumption, gardening, healthy eating, climate change, bicycling, recycled art, divestment efforts, and environmental policy. ECOS provides peer-to-peer outreach through film screenings and discussions, cooking demonstrations, hands-on workshop series, general presence in the student union during important events, gardening workshops, group bike rides, recycled craft events, and signature-gathering for various campaigns.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):
Student educators initially interview with sustainability staff for paid positions within ECOS. Once these student staff members are selected, they coordinate and train volunteers to work alongside them on outreach efforts. Regularly, lead volunteers become the next generation of paid student staffers.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):
Upon hire, ECOS student educators attend a formal training before the start of fall term, during which all important aspects are discussed. This training covers university policy, budgetary logistics, outreach tactics, goals for the year, and is the time we create a communication and expectations policy for the group.
These students then train interested volunteers through a student-created volunteer training program, currently in its early phases and being officially adopted for the 2013-2014 school year.
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
ECOS is funded entirely through student fee dollars, including their half-time professional staff coordinator, who also oversees the Civic Engagement Program. Along with funding for the staff member, ECOS has a small budget to pay student staff (approximately 6-8 employees per year) and a programming budget that is divided between the community garden, SOU Bike Program and general event coordination.
The website URL for 1st Program:
Program name (2nd program):
Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
SOU's Full Circle Recycling Program was founded by students in 2011 as part of a senior capstone project focused on closing the gap between production and disposal by diverting waste from the landfill. The program is committed to providing comprehensive recycling services including conveniently located recycling stations throughout the SOU campus, development of educational programs and events, and serving as a resource center for SOU and the surrounding community. The largest peer-to-peer outreach activities occur during the RecycleMania competition in the form of recycling games and events to raise awareness and engage students in recycling on campus. Students that work for the recycling program also hold outreach events outside of RecycleMania, including tabling in the student union with recycling games and activities, hosting recycled craft events, offering recycling workshops, and having a presence at other major campus events such as Earth Day and the Health and Sustainability Fair. The program also coordinates outreach events for America Recycles Day and holds weekly Recycling Trivia Giveaways through the program's Facebook page.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Student educator positions for the recycling program are open to all SOU students. Interested students submit a resume and are interviewed by the Sustainability and Recycling Coordinator, who selects students for the program based on their enthusiasm, interest, and desire to spread recycling awareness and education to their peers.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
Once hired, students working for the recycling program go through a hands-on training at SOU's Recycling Center. The hands-on training provides lasting knowledge on recycling in the region, including what items can/cannot be recycled and why, the process for local recycling, university policies impacting recycling, the history of the program, and where to go for additional resources.
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
The recycling program receives budgetary support from three campus departments, including Facilities Management & Planning, Housing, and Student Life. The budget includes a full-time staff person to oversee campus recycling and sustainability efforts, as well as funding for student positions, garbage and recycling fees, supplies, and other expenses.
The website URL for 2nd program:
Program name (3rd program):
Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
The website URL for 3rd program:
Program name (All other programs):
Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (All other programs):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (All other programs):
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (All other programs):
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (All other programs):
A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (All other programs):
The website URL for all other programs:
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.