Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.46
Liaison Fortino Morales
Submission Date April 21, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of California, Riverside
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 John Cook
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
Yes or No
Active student groups focused on sustainability Yes
Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems Yes
Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes No
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
Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles Yes
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences Yes
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution Yes
Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions No
Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives ---

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

Sustainable UCR is a grassroots student-led organization that advocates for sustainable practices on campus. We believe that there is a need for change and that students are LEEDers in making that change. We aim to empower students with knowledge and skills that enable them to become leaders in sustainability. We do this in a number of ways, by raising awareness among the student body, staff, and faculty, by giving input on campus and systemwide policies, and by connecting students to larger regional and statewide networks.


The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:

In April 2009, the UCR campus broke ground (literally) for a student-run community garden on campus. Sustainable UCR, the student organization for a greener campus, has been charged with coordinating the community gardens' day-to-day operations. In an effort to facilitate that coordination, Sustainable UCR is creating the first ever "Garden Guild", a group of students dedicated to maintaining and advancing the community garden.
Our mission is to provide a space for the less fortunate to grow their own fruits and vegetables who are otherwise unable to incorporate fresh food into their diets. Produce from the garden will supplement the Salvation Army Food Box program, which is only able to supply processed or canned foods. We envision a world without hunger, poverty or destruction of the fragile world in which we live. Gardeners will receive their own plots and will be able to grow and care for their own plants. The garden will empower individuals and teach valuable life skills necessary to succeed in life. The garden, “Food for Thought”, provides food for thought to gardeners and community members alike. Students and children have food and energy for brainpower, while the garden teaches respect and appreciation for nature through environmental education. We demonstrate the importance of sustainable living, which means not extracting more than is necessary so that future generations and other organisms can also utilize natural resources.


The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:

The Garden will serve as a safe and inclusive space for learning, growing, and connecting UC Riverside with community members to engage in environmental education and sustainable practices.

The garden is a space for students, faculty, staff, and community members, for growing fresh produce while learning about social, environmental, and economic sustainability through a food systems approach.

Members of the University and the City of Riverside will have the opportunity participate in community-based and ecologically sound programs, research solutions, and develop interdisciplinary courses with Cultivate R'Space that will enhance the students’ experience at the University of California, Riverside.


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

The Office of Sustainability sponsors and co-sponsors a variety of annual events focused on sustainability including: Earth Week, Extreme Green Fest, Sustainability Summit, World Water Day, UCR Palm Desert Sustainability Series and Lunch and Learns available to students.


The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

The Dance department has graduate students working on sustainability focused performances. Their works are being performed on campus and at Sustainability conferences.


The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:

Outdoor Excursions is a program of UCR Recreation and has been serving the UCR community for over 20 years. Our mission is to provide a variety of programs and services emphasizing safety, skill development, environmental awareness, and community. Our trip program provides opportunities in hiking, backpacking, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, caving, climbing, paddleboarding, rafting, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and more. All of our trip leaders are trained to the level equal to or exceeding Leave No Trace trainers during our Leader Expedition (a 5-6 day training consisting of backpacking, kayaking, and/or other outdoor living skills), and during mid-year leadership workshops. For more information about our program contact: Jen Hopper jennifer.hopper@ucr.edu


The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:

CHASS Freshmen are introduced to Sustainability through Henry David Thoreau’s Economy (the first chapter of Walden) during their Orientation.


The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

Each week UCR Sustainability tables at our Wednesday Nooners providing training on various sustainability practices students can use to "green their scene" on and off campus.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:

GCAP Sustainability Intern. There are 3 internships offered for each Academic year. Some past internships included:
Garden Intern
LEED Intern
Recycling Intern
Power Ranger
Waste Rangers
H20 Highlanders
Creative Design
Green Labs


The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.