| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.87 |
| Liaison | Carrie Metzgar |
| Submission Date | Nov. 5, 2024 |
University of California, San Diego
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.93 / 4.00 |
Carrie
Metzgar Campus Sustainability Officer Utilities & Sustainability |
Part 1. Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer, sustainability educators program
Total number of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
1st program
A brief description of the student educators program (1st program):
The Student Sustainability Collective (SSC) is a passionate group of student leaders dedicated to promoting sustainable policies, education for students, and social justice dialogue on campus. The SSC promotes sustainable development, activism and progress through peer-to-peer education, technical cooperation and capacity building at UC San Diego. The SSC emphasizes community, collaboration, and empowerment to foster a culture of responsibility and to ensure a sustainable future. The student organization focuses outreach efforts around seven campaign topics: water, corporate accountability, transportation and urban development, energy and waste, civil and human rights, food, and public health. Example outreach activities include hosting a swap and upcycling fair, offering green event guidance, organizing a food scrap drop-off program, and collaborating with campus partners on social media and events.
Established in 2009, the SSC receives an annual administrative budget through Associated Students. The membership is composed of paid directors (students), unpaid interns and volunteers; who all serve as peer educators to the campus community. All directors receive a weekly stipend. The SSC is managed without hierarchy and every member has equal decision-making power. SSC members receive training on the campaign topics during staff meetings, working group meetings, and staff retreats. Prior to the start of the school year, all directors are required to complete summer coursework and readings in order to familiarize themselves with the seven campaign topics.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (1st program):
The Sustainability Student Collective’s programs are targeted to all students (undergraduate and graduate).
Number of trained student educators (1st program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (1st program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (1st program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (1st program):
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
A brief description of the student educators program (2nd program):
UC San Diego’s College Corps program was established in 2022 and is facilitated by the university’s Changemaker Institute. The program aims to create a generation of civic-minded leaders and peer-to—peer educators. The three focus areas for the 2023-2024 cohort were K-12 education, food insecurity, and climate action. Of the 119 fellows, 21 fellows worked to address food insecurity and climate action directly at UC San Diego. These student fellows were hosted by the following UC San Diego units/departments: EarthLab, HDH Sustainability, Center for Community Health Childhood Obesity Initiative, Center for Community Health, Homelessness Hub, and the Basic Needs Center.
Each fellow participates in training, networking, and professional development opportunities according to their focus area. Additionally, fellows receive up to a $7,000 living stipend and a $3,000 education award upon completion of hours. Fellows also have the opportunity to earn academic credit by taking AIP 197P: Public Service Internship.
During the 2023-204 academic year, College Corps Fellows in food insecurity and climate action conducted peer-to-peer outreach activities at campus gardens and student housing, organized trash clean-up events, and engaged in the literacy and understanding of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
View the Impact Report for Cohort 2 (2023-2024): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RXMK4muYOkrFfU_hzB8hydRd4h6kRR3k/view
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (2nd program):
College Corps Fellows based with UC San Diego host organizations conduct work targeting all students (undergraduate and graduate).
Number of trained student educators (2nd program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (2nd program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (2nd program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (2nd program):
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
A brief description of the student educators program (3rd program):
The EcoNauts are Housing*Dining*Hospitality’s student sustainability employees who serve as peer-to-peer educators for all student residents. The EcoNauts host regular sustainability-related programs on the following topics: water conservation, environmental justice, navigating public transportation, waste sorting/composting, sustainable eats, and sustainable living. Complementary sustainable activities include: compost bin decorating, zero waste kit making, seed planting/pot decorating, and tote bag decorating. On average, nine program requests are fulfilled per quarter, with increased programming taking place in spring quarter for Earth Month. RAs/HAs can request sustainable programming for residential halls through the EcoNauts. Peer-to-peer education also occurs through the creation and posting of sustainability content on social media.
As student employees, EcoNauts receive annual funding for staffing and programmatic initiatives through Housing*Dining*Hospitality. All EcoNauts participate in formal training at the start of the academic year as well as ongoing training through events and meetings during the remainder of the year.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (3rd program):
EcoNauts programs are targeted to all on-campus student residents.
Number of trained student educators (3rd program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (3rd program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (3rd program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (3rd program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (3rd program):
Additional programs
Additional Student Peer-to-Peer Sustainability and Outreach and Education Programs (2023-2024):
1) Green Programs Student Ambassadors
UC San Diego’s Green Programs Student Ambassadors support peer-to-peer programs including: green labs, green offices, green your event, green your classroom, and the green grads pledge. Green Programs Student Ambassadors work as student employees for the Office of Utilities & Sustainability, where they receive ongoing training about campus sustainability goals and professional development through weekly meetings, UC-wide meetings, and topic-relevant webinars.
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Target Audience: All undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty.
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Number of trained student educators: 2 students
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 48 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 15 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 1,440 hours
2) Zero Waste Ambassadors
Zero Waste Ambassadors support with outreach and implementation of the university’s zero waste program. Two examples of peer-to-peer education are the involvement of Ambassadors with the student run gardens on campus. Zero Waste Ambassadors increase collaboration and share best practices across individual college gardens creating a greater sense of community. Another example of peer-to-peer education is the hosting of zero-waste events with Associated Students Concerts and Events. Additionally, Ambassadors create presentations and present to peers in environmental studies courses.
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Target Audience: All students (undergraduate and graduate).
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Number of trained student educators: 4 students
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 48 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 19.5 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 3,744 hours
3) Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Fellowship: Climate Action Fellows
The Bonnie Reiss Climate Action Fellows support the Office of Utilities & Sustainability with engagement and outreach of campus decarbonization and resilience efforts. Fellows receive an annual stipend of $5,000 funded by the UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council. A highlight of the fellow’s work includes assisting with the Climate Conversations outreach campaign, which strives to engage the campus community in climate actions efforts and encourage dialogue about sustainability topics. Fellows also select a project of their choice that aligns with overall campus climate action efforts. Peer-to-peer education is integrated within all projects. Fellows receive ongoing training about campus sustainability goals and professional development through weekly meetings, UC-wide meetings, and topic-relevant webinars.
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Target Audience: All undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty.
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Number of trained student educators: 3 students
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 33 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 8 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 720 hours
4) Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Fellowship: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows
The Bonnie Reiss Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellows receive guidance from a faculty member and site supervisor in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Fellows receive an annual stipend of $5,000 funded by the UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council. Fellows support projects in sustainable and equitable food systems and sustainable procurement. Peer-to-peer education is integrated within all projects. Fellows receive ongoing training about campus sustainability goals and professional development through weekly meetings, UC-wide meetings, and topic-relevant webinars.
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Target Audience: All students (undergraduate and graduate)
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Number of trained student educators: 3 students
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 33 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 8 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 720 hours
5) University Centers Sustainability Intern
The University Centers Sustainability Intern serves as a student sustainability educator for departmental events and programming. Examples include hosting peer-to-peer Student Center Garden educational workshops, conducting waste audits, and organizing large events such as the 2023 Sustainable Food Expo.
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Target Audience: All students (undergraduate and graduate) and staff.
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Number of trained student educators: 1 student
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 48 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 15 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 720 hours
6) CALPIRG
CALPIRG is a statewide student-run nonprofit that works on environmental, civic engagement, and college affordability issues. UC San Diego has its own CALPIRG chapter. CALPIRG runs quarterly fundraising pledge drives in which they engage in peer-to-peer education with other students about priority campaigns. Priority campaigns in 2023-2024 were “Protect Our Oceans” and “100% Renewable Energy.” CALPIRG members are trained on communicating a campaign story, describing the problem, solution, and call to action on this issue in a succinct and compelling way in one-on-one conversations with their peer students. They are also trained on basic grassroots campaign actions, like petitioning, phone banking, as well as how to work with a team and give effective feedback.
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Target Audience: All students (undergraduate and graduate)
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Number of trained student educators: 12 students
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 33 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 10 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 2,640 hours
7) Transportation Services Customer Service Representative
Transportation Services hires students to serve as customer service representatives, with a focus on sustainable transportation customer support. These students work in-person peer-to-peer events including Triton Day outreach, SPIN & Circulate SD quarterly micromobility tabling, and Clean Air Day. They also support with social media outreach and engagement. Students are trained by Transportation staff to provide customer support and guidance to students, staff, and faculty.
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Target Audience: All students (undergraduate and graduate), staff, and faculty.
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Number of trained student educators: 10 students
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Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually: 48 weeks
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Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator: 17 hours
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Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators: 8,160 hours
Number of trained student educators (all other programs):
Number of weeks, on average, the student educators programs are active annually (all other programs):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per student educator (all other programs) :
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (all other programs):
Part 2. Educator hours per student served by a peer-to-peer educator program
Hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators per student served by a peer-to-peer program:
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Points of contact for credit information:
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Carrie Metzgar, Campus Sustainability Officer, Utilities & Sustainability
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Andy Hattala, Sustainability Coordinator, Housing*Dining*Hospitality
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Kelley Kozlowski, Advisor for Services & Commissions, Associated Students
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Elizabeth Lin, Waste Management, Recycling & Sustainability, Facilities Management
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Cindy Penning, Lease Administrator, University Centers
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Xandria Romei, Sustainability Assistant, University Centers
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Josh Kavanagh, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Transportation and Activation
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Curt Lutz, Assistant Director, Transportation and Activation
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Rachel Vensand, Communications Coordinator, Transportation Services
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.