| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.28 |
| Liaison | Hannah Rushing |
| Submission Date | Jan. 26, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Sterling College (VT)
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Favor
Ellis Dean of Community Residence Life |
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Student Groups
Yes
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Social and Environmental Justice Club (SEJC)
The SEJC at Sterling College is a student-driven club that meets weekly to discuss various social and environmentally related issues going on locally and regionally. Many of these apply to the larger context of sustainable communities. Past events attended by members include the People's Climate March in NYC in Fall 2014 and a protest march and direct action even in Montpelier, Vermont at the state house.
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
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Gardens and Farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
Among the nation’s first college farms, our farm is a big part of our campus, and farm work is well integrated with academic study, the work program, and everyday community life. Students grow 20% of our own food on campus. Students conduct research experiments on the farm, and gain hands-on experience growing crops, managing livestock, using the woodlot, and working with draft horses.
The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Student-Run Enterprises
No
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
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Sustainable Investment and Finance
Yes
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
We have Student Activities money, which is given out to different events and needs on campus via consensus. For instance, support from Student Activities was given to the Environmental and Social Justice Club when they went to New York to protest pipelines.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
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Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
A number of different speakers and conferences have been hosted at Sterling College. Green Mountain Farm to School hosted a Farm to School Conference in November, which included students in their intended audience, in addition to numerous local teachers, farmers, and businesses.
A number of different speakers related to sustainability have spoken at Sterling College including Gary Paul Nabhan, Marion Nestle, Alice Waters, and Peter Allen.
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Cultural Arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
We have performers come to campus such as A2VT, a hip-hop group made up of refugees from Africa that rap about sustainability and climate justice.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
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Wilderness and Outdoors Programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Many of the Outdoor Education classes at Sterling College include following Leave No Trace principles. Bounder, a first year experiential learning opportunity, gives students an in-depth exploration of experiential education that culminates in a three day, four night trip called Expedition that follows Leave No Trace principles as well. In 2014, Sterling College held its fiftieth annual Expedition.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Sustainability-Related Themes
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Sustainability is a large theme in new students' first class at Sterling, A Sense of Place. This course includes sustainability as a major theme through field experiences, readings, and discussions.
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Sustainable Life Skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
All of the residence halls included on campus are designed to develop sustainable life skills in Sterling College students.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Student Employment Opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
A Federal Work Program College, Sterling utilizes a number of student employment opportunities that are focused on sustainability. Some of these include Food Systems Analyst, Invasive Species Monitor, and a myriad of Farm Crew related positions.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Graduation Pledge
Yes
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
Since 2004, we have been a part of the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility. The pledge reads: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any action I consider and to seek to improve these aspects of any community to which I belong."
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Other Programs and Initiatives
Yes
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
We partner with Yestermorrow Design/Build School. Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Waitsfield, Vermont offers courses, certificate programs, and a semester program in construction, woodworking, architectural craft, and sustainable design. Most of these are eligible for Sterling credit.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.