| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.09 |
| Liaison | DeLayne Miller |
| Submission Date | Dec. 18, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Tennessee Technological University
EN-10: Community Partnerships
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus?:
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above:
TVA’s Valley Sustainable Communities (VSC) program, now in its third year, works with cities, towns and counties throughout the region to help them commit to long-term economic development. Cookeville, TN is recognized as a Gold Community meaning it is one that has taken a leadership role in implementing sustainable practices and has made a commitment to sustainability efforts focused on economic development. Tennessee Tech, as a sizable part of Cookeville, TN, has partnered with the city in these endeavors by hosting awareness and outreach events, clean-ups, and supporting their initiatives as well.
Participating communities earn points in 15 categories by implementing specific policies and practices that contribute to overall sustainability, with an emphasis on those components that directly impact economic development efforts and/or the success of existing businesses in the community.
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (2nd partnership) (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (2nd partnership):
With assistance from the Cookeville Electric Department, we participate in the Green Power Switch. This assures us that TVA will match our electricity use with solar, wind, and bio-gas energy. This allows us to take positive action in reducing our carbon footprint.
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (3rd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (3rd partnership) (Yes, No, or Unknown):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (3rd partnership):
The purpose of the Tennessee Higher Education Institution College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (TN HEI CUPP) is to develop partnerships between underserved communities and Higher Education Institutions (TN HEIs) in Tennessee. Through these partnerships, TN HEIs can provide a variety of low to no-cost technical support and manpower to address environmental, economic, and health issues that impact the quality of life in nearby underserved communities. TNTech has worked with nearby communities for many years, but, through TN HEI CUPP, has partnered with the town of Gainesboro to address flooding issues that are related to their stormwater and drainage system. Several flooding events have occurred causing the town library to flood and close; the elementary school to flood where modifications to prevent further flooding is now causing several residential homes to flood; and Shady Rose Antique store on the square has also had flooding issues. The Library flooded June 27, 2018, which was a 100 year flood event that had 8-10” of rain; then there was an additional rain that caused additional flooding several weeks later. This 100 year flood event did not cause flooding in the surrounding areas, so the Town of Gainesboro was denied emergency funds. Something is causing the new flooding issues in Gainesboro: This could be from more water being diverted upstream to overload the streams in Gainesboro, the stormwater system is overloaded and/or malfunctioning, creek debris causing indirect flow, or a combination of one or more of these possibilities. Example: Save A Lot and other structures that have been in existence for many years flooded for the first time. Faculty, staff, and students at TNTech will provide consultant driven services and assessments of the area. Throughout the summer of 2019, a Civil and Environmental Engineering student has been hired by the TNTech Center for Management, Utilization and Protect of Water Resources to research and develop plans for the Town of Gainsboro.
A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:
In 2019, the Office of Sustainability partnered with Healthier Tennessee to create a program called EagleFIT. EagleFIT is a student led program that brings awareness to students and staff about how they can live a healthier life. Living a healthier life and living a sustainable life go hand in hand. EagleFIT encourages those on campus to walk or ride bikes instead of driving, which serves as a sustainable effort to decrease carbon emissions. The program also encourages Tennessee Tech to eat locally, which is another way to be sustainable. EagleFIT works closely with the Putnam County Health Department, Healthier Cookeville, and Healthier Tennessee to host and plan events. One such event, was the Health Fair, where local businesses and healthy/sustainable campus groups came together to inform the community about living a healthier lifestyle. Students received information about all of the sustainable initiatives on campus through the presence of the Office of Sustainability. https://www.tntech.edu/sustainability/eaglefit.php
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.