| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.67 |
| Liaison | Mark Lichtenstein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.71 / 4.00 |
Mark
Lichtenstein Executive Director of Sustainability Energy and Sustainability |
Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
Total number of students enrolled for credit that are served (i.e. directly targeted) by a student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program (avoid double-counting to the extent feasible):
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
Name of the student educators program:
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:
EcoReps are first- and second-year students at ESF who work and live in Centennial Hall (ESF's only residence hall). They work to raise sustainability awareness of global and local sustainability issues and encourage fellow students to adopt more environmentally responsible lifestyles. The EcoReps program is overseen by a partnership between ESF’s Office of Sustainability, Student Affairs, and Centennial Hall, and is funded by the Office of Sustainability. The EcoReps program was started in the fall of 2012 as a volunteer-based program, but now the EcoReps are provided semesterly stipends for their efforts. Second-year students are designated as Head EcoReps. These individuals are responsible for running weekly meetings with the EcoReps and ensuring the EcoReps follow through with their responsibilities. The EcoReps are responsible for planning multiple programs/events in the residence hall per semester based on the month’s theme. These themes include ecosystems/food systems, energy, water, climate change, recycling/upcyling, and materials management. These events typically involve educational documentaries, food, and/or an activity/workshop. The EcoReps are also responsible for decorating EcoBoards on their designated floors with information relating to the month’s theme. Through this program, the EcoReps benefit by developing their leadership skills as well as their knowledge of sustainability which they then share with their peers in the residence hall (https://www.facebook.com/SUNYESFEcoReps/).
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
They are recruited over the summer. Applications are reviewed by the Head EcoReps, and the three partnering offices.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
Introduction to principles of sustainability (vs. environmentalism), sustainability at ESF, campus sustainability features, overview of stakeholders and "agents of change," how to organize and promote events in Centennial Hall, and some leadership training
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination):
EcoReps are volunteers; however, they have access to funds from the Office of Sustainability.
Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
The Resource Conservation Stewards was designed to be a sustainability leadership program on campus, similar to the Emerging Leaders Workshop Series offered by the Office of Student Affairs. Workshops were once or twice a month. Each workshop was on a different topic relating to sustainability. Topics covered included: What does sustainability mean to you, recycling and waste, house plants and air quality, energy, food, and social action. Other student clubs and staff, and external organizations led different workshops. The program culminates in the implementation of student led projects on campus. This peer-to-peer student education program was designed to fill the gap on campus between several sustainability related clubs, and provide a certification as a sustainability leader on campus (similar to the EcoReps program in Centennial Hall). This program has three levels of certification based on attendance to the workshops (bronze, silver, and gold) and these corresponded to sustainability starter kit prizes.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
The facilitators were students who wanted to develop the program. In the future, leaders will be selected based on an application process.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
Introduction to principles of sustainability (vs. environmentalism), sustainability at ESF, campus sustainability features, group facilitation experience training, and some leadership training.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (2nd program):
The program is supported by the Sustainability Office, and was assigned a staff member and a graduate student for oversite.
Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
The Green Events team has both a student-led portion and a complimentary employee portion. Student leaders are trained on how to run sustainable events at ESF, and that knowledge is then taught to their organization or peer group. Students are trained in ways to reduce waste, utilize composting, reduce food waste, maximize attendance, and decorate with renewables!
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
Student educators are selected via interest ad application. Student leaders and eboard members are then recruited to become trainers for the campus. All participants are then placed on a registry.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
Students are trained by three staff members on sustainability practices, current sustainable green event infrastructure at the college, and conscious choices regarding event conception, planning, execution, aftermath, and assessment.
Green events are then certified by the College based on how many criteria are met.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (3rd program):
Students are supported with a grant from the Alumni Association and by the Sustainability Office.
A brief description of all other student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs, including the number of students served and how student educators are selected, trained, and supported by the institution:
EarthWeek activities, Winter Carnival, SustainabiliTeam, Green Campus Initiative, as well as the Sustainable Energy Club include or host regular outreach and peer-to-peer education events. Many ESF students undergo training with external sustainability groups, and the College's sustainability staff on how to educate the student population.
Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually (all programs):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.