Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 34.87
Liaison DeLayne Miller
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Tennessee Technological University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 2.00 DeLayne Miller
Sustainability Manager
Facilities:Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student Groups 

Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
The TTU Sustainable Campus Committee is comprised of 8 students and 11 faculty/staff members. The TTU SCC pursues sustainable ideas for our campus. We host informational meetings where all students are welcome to come and learn about what we have going on. The TTU SCC also hosts "Think Tanks" where students are invited to come and share ideas with the committee of what they would like to see on campus. The Evergreen Society is a student group that exists to promote general awareness about environmental and sustainability issues in the world.

The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
https://www.tntech.edu/sustainable/

Gardens and Farms 

Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
Tech Farm hosts a variety of agriculture projects for students to participate in. The Biology Department is unique in Tennessee for its Cooperative Fishery Research Unit supported jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Tennessee Tech. A primary function of the unit is to strengthen the graduate fisheries program; however, undergraduates interested in fisheries biology often find opportunities for valuable experience through association with Unit activities. There are two new gardens on campus: a native plant garden that teaches students about Tennessee's native plants, and an organic garden to help supply the TTU Food Pantry.

The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
https://www.tntech.edu/aghs/academic-programs/school-of-ag/facilities/farm/

Student-Run Enterprises 

Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
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 

Does the institution have 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

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
https://www.tntech.edu/sustainable/

Events 

Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
The TTU Sustainable Campus Committee hosts speakers usually once a semester to explain particular programs or sustainable strategies and ideas. The TTU SCC also hosts a "Think Tank" at least once a semester, which is a brainstorming workshop where all students are welcome to come and share ideas with the committee members of what sustainable features or programs they would like to see on campus.

The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
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Cultural Arts 

Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
No

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
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The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
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Wilderness and Outdoors Programs 

Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The Evergreen Society at Tennessee Tech University is an environmental awareness club. They host clean up days with the SCC at local hiking trails to pick up litter. There is also the Outdoor Club that is actively involved in wilderness programs, which mostly include caving and rock climbing expeditions. The Campus Fitness Center has a program that allows students to check out hiking and camping equipment.

The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
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Sustainability-Related Themes 

Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Sustainable Life Skills 

Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Students that attend the Think Tanks and sustainable speaking events can learn valuable information about ways to incorporate sustainability into everyday life.

The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
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Student Employment Opportunities 

Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The TTU Office of Sustainability seeks to hire students that have interests in sustainability, whether for work study or scholarship hours (4-6 per semester). The campus recycle program operates with paid student workers (6-12 per semester). A Sustainable-Fee-funded Graduate Assistant oversees the Bike Share Program.

The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
https://www.tntech.edu/sustainable/

Graduation Pledge

Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledges:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Other Programs and Initiatives 

Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
Yes

A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The Oakley Sustainable Agriculture Center (OSAC) will give students the opportunity to obtain real-world, hands-on learning in a unique location. Opportunities exist at OSAC for students in Agriculture, Biology, History, Sociology, and other sciences. OSAC will raise awareness of environmental issues around farming.

The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
https://www.tntech.edu/files/aghs/Broad_Overview_of_Oakley_Sustainable_Agriculture_Center_rev.pdf

Optional Fields 

Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
10

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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