| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 40.64 |
| Liaison | Rebecca Collins |
| Submission Date | July 31, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Temple University
IN-3: Innovation 3
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
In January 2015, a team of interdisciplinary students opened Rad Dish, a student run and member owned food co-op cafe on campus. The cafe is run based on a cooperative style of governance, with members making the decisions related to cafe operations, policies, sourcing, governance, sustainability and social justice. Members have adopted and implemented a triple bottom line approach to this cafe, sourcing from local, organic and fair trade purveyors. In accordance with its triple bottom line approach, the Rad Dish models sustainability principles, serving only vegetarian and vegan fare, composting, using all compostable serviceware, recycling, minimizing waste and purchasing 100% green power. Members meet weekly to discuss issues, and have committees to explore new processes. Rad Dish holds an election each year to elect committee heads. The membership of the co-op is made of students that cross the university's various schools, colleges, majors and disciplines. The membership also includes staff and faculty that have purchased memberships.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
The following are benefits of the food co-op cafe:
- Exposing students in every school or college to the concept of a co-operative business model.
- 80 MWh of wind power purchased for the cafe
- 81 equity members in the co-op
- Over $7,267.17 purchased from local businesses
- Over 15 people participated in the CSA drop off point at Rad Dish, Temple's first and only CSA drop spot
-Attended 7 classes to give talk about cooperative business model
- Hosted 3 interns
- Over 10 students took an independent study of cooperative business practices as a basis for developing Rad Dish's governance structure
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | Yes |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | Yes |
| Energy | --- |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | Yes |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
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.