| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.70 |
| Liaison | Kelly Wellman |
| Submission Date | Dec. 2, 2021 |
Texas A&M University
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.48 / 4.00 |
Ben
Kalscheur Sustainability Assistant Manager Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer, sustainability educators program
67,036
Total number of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
67,036
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
100
1st program
Office of Sustainability Student Internship Program
A brief description of the student educators program (1st program):
The goal of the Office of Sustainability’s Internship Program is to bring people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives together to create a dynamic team that works to create a culture of sustainability at Texas A&M University. The team focuses on increasing the sustainability of practices such as energy and water use, transportation, food services, construction and built environment, purchasing, recycling, and social justice through the development of programs, outreach initiatives, and event coordination. Ultimately, the program trains our students to become student sustainability experts who are able to share what they have learned to train the campus community about how to incorporate sustainability into their lives.
Examples of education and outreach include: tabling at various events by creating engaging, interactive activities. The interns give campus-wide presentations and workshops. They create educational videos. The interns engage students through our social media platforms and generate digital and print graphic design content. The interns have adapted to a more virtual world by creating virtual talks to supplement traditional in-person offerings and to diversify their skill sets.
Examples of education and outreach include: tabling at various events by creating engaging, interactive activities. The interns give campus-wide presentations and workshops. They create educational videos. The interns engage students through our social media platforms and generate digital and print graphic design content. The interns have adapted to a more virtual world by creating virtual talks to supplement traditional in-person offerings and to diversify their skill sets.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (1st program):
Our target audience is the entire campus. We offer our educational events to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff.
Number of trained student educators (1st program):
24
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (1st program):
50
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (1st program):
12
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (1st program):
12,000
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (1st program):
If reporting students served by additional peer-to-peer programs, provide:
2nd program
Aggie Eco-Representatives (Residence Life Peer Educators)
A brief description of the student educators program (2nd program):
The Aggie Eco-Reps Program is an organization in which students educate their peers about how to live a sustainable lifestyle. Eco-Reps educate their fellow students by hosting informational presentations in the residence halls, participating in campus wide events such as Texas Recycles Day and Earth Day, and promoting a sustainable lifestyle by living as an example for fellow students. The Eco-Reps promote sustainable practices by encouraging students to make small changes in the way they live, such as turning electronics off when not in use, using a reusable water bottle, reducing food waste, taking advantage of alternative transportation, and recycling bottles and cans on campus. The Aggie Eco-Reps have continued a "Do-It-Yourself" campaign, in which they provide training to students on creating sustainable alternatives to products that can be used in a residential setting. Over the past year, the Aggie Eco-Reps have created virtual programming and launched a YouTube channel. The Aggie Eco-Rep mission statement is “Providing students with the education and opportunity to promote and continue sustainability,” and, as a grassroots movement here at Texas A&M University, the Aggie Eco-Reps are making progress every day.
In conjunction with the Residential Housing Association (on-campus student self-governance), students are invited to apply to the Aggie Eco-Reps program. These students are elected by the on-campus student population for each residence hall community at Texas A&M during our annual election cycle in September. Once selected, students are placed in one of three different committees, the Campus Events Committee (Responsible for all outreach activities by the Aggie Eco-Reps to the campus community), the Membership Committee (Responsible for fundraising, training, and development activities for all current Aggie Eco-Reps), the Web/Marketing Committee (Responsible for marketing materials and social media accounts) or the Education Committee (Responsible for creating and facilitating our signature educational programs in the residence hall communities at Texas A&M).
At the beginning of each semester, the Aggie Eco-Reps are required to attend an all-day conference where several different training topics are discussed. The Eco-Reps are trained on effective facilitation skills, since they are responsible for leading programming efforts in our residence halls. They are also trained on each one of our signature programs ("Life of a Water Bottle," "Carbon Footprint Investigators," "Fast Fashion: Times to 'Clothes' the Loop," "Microplastics," "Modern Slavery & Food," "Weathering the Storm: A Discussion on Mental Health," "Enough is Enough Food Waste," and "Time for a Change (Economic Sustainability)."), so that they are able to appropriately share relevant information about each pillar of sustainability we cover in our programs. Finally, they are given a presentation and manual that discusses the three pillars of sustainability (Social, Environmental, and Economic) and the intersectionality that exists on-campus in our residence hall communities. This program is fully sponsored by the Department of Residence Life at Texas A&M University, with an annual student fee allocated budget. Additionally, the Department of Residence Life has earmarked annual funding for two Aggie Eco-Reps and their advisor to attend the AASHE Conference.
In conjunction with the Residential Housing Association (on-campus student self-governance), students are invited to apply to the Aggie Eco-Reps program. These students are elected by the on-campus student population for each residence hall community at Texas A&M during our annual election cycle in September. Once selected, students are placed in one of three different committees, the Campus Events Committee (Responsible for all outreach activities by the Aggie Eco-Reps to the campus community), the Membership Committee (Responsible for fundraising, training, and development activities for all current Aggie Eco-Reps), the Web/Marketing Committee (Responsible for marketing materials and social media accounts) or the Education Committee (Responsible for creating and facilitating our signature educational programs in the residence hall communities at Texas A&M).
At the beginning of each semester, the Aggie Eco-Reps are required to attend an all-day conference where several different training topics are discussed. The Eco-Reps are trained on effective facilitation skills, since they are responsible for leading programming efforts in our residence halls. They are also trained on each one of our signature programs ("Life of a Water Bottle," "Carbon Footprint Investigators," "Fast Fashion: Times to 'Clothes' the Loop," "Microplastics," "Modern Slavery & Food," "Weathering the Storm: A Discussion on Mental Health," "Enough is Enough Food Waste," and "Time for a Change (Economic Sustainability)."), so that they are able to appropriately share relevant information about each pillar of sustainability we cover in our programs. Finally, they are given a presentation and manual that discusses the three pillars of sustainability (Social, Environmental, and Economic) and the intersectionality that exists on-campus in our residence hall communities. This program is fully sponsored by the Department of Residence Life at Texas A&M University, with an annual student fee allocated budget. Additionally, the Department of Residence Life has earmarked annual funding for two Aggie Eco-Reps and their advisor to attend the AASHE Conference.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (2nd program):
The Aggie Eco-Reps are a sustainability student organization sponsored and funded by the Department of Residence Life. As such, their primary audience are the 11,500 on-campus residents at Texas A&M, although most programs and events are open to all students.
Number of trained student educators (2nd program):
40
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (2nd program):
36
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (2nd program):
2
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (2nd program):
2,880
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (2nd program):
If reporting students served by three or more peer-to-peer programs, provide:
3rd program
Graduate Assistant Sustainability Coordinator
A brief description of the student educators program (3rd program):
The Graduate Assistant Sustainability Coordinator (GASC) is responsible for executing all department sustainability initiatives and events with the assistance of the Director for Administrative & Support Services. This includes hosting the U Challenge and other student engagement opportunities; assisting students with Aggie Green Fund Grant applications; producing a social media presence for Aggies Going Green and a monthly newsletter; co-advising Aggie Eco Reps; presenting at campus tabling events, Campus Sustainability Day, Texas Recycles Day and Earth Day, and coordinating the Fall Sustainability Dinner for faculty, staff and students.
The GASC launched the living learning program (LLP) around sustainability that is available for on-campus Aggies to learn more about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. This includes developing content that highlights different areas of sustainability including sustainable agriculture, social justice, and corporate responsibility. Guest speakers from various campus entities are invited to speak to the LLP to demonstrate how campus as a whole is working towards a more sustainable future. In addition, events like park cleanups and field trips to local farmers’ markets are done to engage residents and show them that they can make a difference in their local community.
The GASC is mentored/supervised by the Director of Administrative & Support Services in the Department of Residence Life. GASC has been supported to attend both national and regional sustainability and housing conferences and has participated in training on campus pertaining to Green Dot Bystander Training and Step In, Stand Up and other related interactive training programs. As co-advisor to Aggie Eco Reps, she works alongside an experienced advisor from Residence Education. The salary and professional development allocations, as well as tuition support, are provided by the Department of Residence Life. The position is housed in the Central Administrative Office of Residence Life with a permanent desk station/computer. Funds for programming are shared between the department and corporate sponsors, as well as projects supported by the Aggie Green Fund (though no compensation for staff are included in those funds).
The GASC launched the living learning program (LLP) around sustainability that is available for on-campus Aggies to learn more about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. This includes developing content that highlights different areas of sustainability including sustainable agriculture, social justice, and corporate responsibility. Guest speakers from various campus entities are invited to speak to the LLP to demonstrate how campus as a whole is working towards a more sustainable future. In addition, events like park cleanups and field trips to local farmers’ markets are done to engage residents and show them that they can make a difference in their local community.
The GASC is mentored/supervised by the Director of Administrative & Support Services in the Department of Residence Life. GASC has been supported to attend both national and regional sustainability and housing conferences and has participated in training on campus pertaining to Green Dot Bystander Training and Step In, Stand Up and other related interactive training programs. As co-advisor to Aggie Eco Reps, she works alongside an experienced advisor from Residence Education. The salary and professional development allocations, as well as tuition support, are provided by the Department of Residence Life. The position is housed in the Central Administrative Office of Residence Life with a permanent desk station/computer. Funds for programming are shared between the department and corporate sponsors, as well as projects supported by the Aggie Green Fund (though no compensation for staff are included in those funds).
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (3rd program):
The target audience for the GA Sustainability Coordinator is on-campus residents as this is a Residence Life position. However, certain programs and resources like the e-waste recycling bins, Fill It Forward Campaign, and Trex Plastic Challenge as open to all Texas A&M community members, including faculty and staff.
Number of trained student educators (3rd program):
1
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (3rd program):
52
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (3rd program):
20
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (3rd program):
1,040
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (3rd program):
Additional programs
Recently, the Department of Residence Life has also begun an internship program for students interested in educating and engaging on-campus residents specifically. This program begin in spring 2020 and there is one intern per semester, including the summer. The intern assists the GA Sustainability Coordinator in creating social media content, researching topics for monthly newsletters, reporting on Aggie Green Fund grant projects, and other duties as assigned. Interns are able to receive course credit, provided that they receive approval from their academic advisor. Hours range depending on semester and any requirements for optional course credit. Typically, summer is around 25 hours each week with 2-4 hours per week during the normal academic year.
Number of trained student educators (all other programs):
1
Number of weeks, on average, the student educators programs are active annually (all other programs):
36
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per student educator (all other programs) :
2
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (all other programs):
72
Part 2. Educator hours per student served by a peer-to-peer educator program
15,992
Hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators per student served by a peer-to-peer program:
0.24
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
http://www.aggieecoreps.com
https://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/
https://reslife.tamu.edu/living/sustainability/
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.