| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.94 |
| Liaison | DeLayne Miller |
| Submission Date | Dec. 15, 2022 |
Tennessee Technological University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The TTU Sustainable Campus Committee oversees disbursement of the student green fee. It is comprised of 11 students and 11 faculty/staff members.
https://www.tntech.edu/sustainability/sustainable-campus-committee.php
The Evergreen Society is a student group that promotes general awareness about environmental and sustainability issues in the world through various activities including activism, volunteering, and outdoor experiences.
https://twitter.com/evrgreensociety
Ducks Unlimited is an organization that promotes wildlife conservation.
The Environmental Conservation Club promotes a sustainable environment that embraces positive conservation cultures.
https://www.facebook.com/ttuducksunlimited/
Wildlife Society serves as an international, non-profit scientific and educational organization serving and representing wildlife professionals in all areas of wildlife conservation and resource management.
https://www.tntech.edu/cas/biology/orgs.php
The Student Conservation Biology Association provides a forum for the increased awareness of issues affecting biodiversity, opportunities for service and education, and resources for professional development of its members.
https://www.tntech.edu/studentlife/orgs/list.php
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
There are three gardens on campus: a native plant garden that teaches students about Tennessee's native plants, an organic garden to help supply the TTU Food Pantry, and a small garden run by the Agriculture and Human Ecology students in front of Oakley Hall. Tech Farm hosts a variety of agriculture projects for students to participate in. The Biology Department has a Cooperative Fishery Research Unit supported jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Tennessee Tech.
https://www.tntech.edu/sustainability/greenspace-projects.php
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The university hosts an annual EagleWorks competition in which students can present businesses or business ideas to a panel of judges for prize money. The winning team for Spring 2021 was a group called Rachet Rats that came up with an invention they call a Quick Toss Pro. The Quick Toss Pro launches a ratchet strap over semi-truck flatbed trailers as well as flatbed trailers for the agriculture industry. It is light weight and easily portable.
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
The TTU Green Fee Program originated as a bill from SGA which allowed $10.00 of a student activity fee to be set aside toward sustainable campus initiatives. The fee is distributed with approval from the Sustainable Campus Committee, which is a mix of students, faculty and staff that has been appointed by the President. This revolving fee grants funding for students to pursue research projects, for the Bike Share Program, for many sustainable events hosted by the Sustainable Campus Committee, and much more.
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
In October of 2019 TTU's Chemistry department hosted "the Green Chemistry Lecture". This allowed students to educate their peers on what Green Chemistry is, how it differs from Environmental Chemistry, and the history of Green Chemistry. The 12 principles of Green Chemistry were covered as well.
https://www.ucbjournal.com/tech-has-right-formula-for-national-chemistry-week/
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Aaron McIntosh came to TTU in the Fall of 2019 over the course of two days to present his workshop called Invasive Queer Kudzu He presented a public lecture, had workshops, and had studio visits. He described the focus of it to be "Engulfing hills, trees and old buildings in a dense stranglehold, a tender vine colonizes: alien landscapes emerge."
https://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/events/2019fall.php
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
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 at local hiking trails to pick up litter.
https://www.facebook.com/TnTechEvergreenSociety/
There is also the Outdoor Club that is actively involved in wilderness programs, which mostly include caving and rock climbing expeditions.
https://www.facebook.com/ttuoutdoorclub/
The Campus Fitness Center has a program that allows students to check out hiking and camping equipment. https://www.tntech.edu/recreation/fitnesscenter/outdoor_program.php
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Students have the option of taking ESS 1000- Introduction to Environmental Studies, which enables them to focus their learning on sustainability topics. Additionally, all freshmen and transfer students are required to attend an orientation in which they will hear from Office of Sustainability workers on the environmental opportunities and resources available on campus.
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The TTU Treehouse: Environmental Village is a residence hall that encourages students to live sustainably and prides itself in being the home base for TTU recycling efforts, Bike Share, and Student Environmental Action. The Treehouse's past activities include a neighborhood wilderness cleanup at Trog Sink, partnering with TTU Organic Farm to feed folks at Cookeville Rescue Mission, and educating students on recycling.
https://www.tntech.edu/reslife/housing/reshalls.php
Further, the TTU College of Business provides a Business Professional Clothes Closet called Scarlett and Murphy's Business Professional Closet. Students can borrow second-hand professional attire at no cost. Students who participate in this program learn the benefits of purchasing or renting clothes second-hand.
https://www.tntech.edu/business/readiness/professional-closet.php
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
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).
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
There is a Green Pledge available to all students that can be accessed on the website of the TTU Office of Sustainability. The pledge encourages students to incorporate acts of sustainability into their daily life.
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
The Oakley Sustainable Agriculture Center (OSAC) gives 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 raises awareness of environmental issues around farming.
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.