| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Christopher Williams |
| Submission Date | Feb. 16, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Delaware
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
"Advocates for a Sustainable Future - Advocates for a Sustainable Future's mission is to educate the campus and the wider community about environmental issues and solutions." [Student Governed]
"Electric Vehicle Club (EV Club) - The purpose of this club is to work as a team to design and build an electric race car to take part in competitions with other electric vehicle groups while integrating multiple disciplines of studies and promoting sustainable technology." [Student Governed]
"Engineers Without Borders - Engineers Without Borders at the University of Delaware is committed to designing and implementing sustainable solutions to problems in international developing communities and bridging cultural, economical, and political divides." [Chapter of National Org]
"Foundation For International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) - FIMRC aims to improve access to quality healthcare in the developing world through the implementation of innovative and self-sustainable health improvement programs." [I consider stable health care systems in the developing world a sustainability issue.] [Chapter of larger Organization]
"Design and Articulture Club - The Pennsylvania Horticulre Society grants us $10,000 for the purpose of creating an educational display at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Three professors from the Plant Science, Art, and Leadership departments, and students from all majors and disciplines come together to create this 760 square foot exhibit. This year, our display has a very important environmental message of conservation of the Peruvian Rainforest and its resources. The Rainforest has many edible and medicinal plants that we use everday in our lives. We have collaborated with the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research to bring the message of conservation and to choose products from companies that use rainforest resources responsibly." [Student Governed]
"Environmental Engineering Student Association (EESA) - The Environmental Engineering Student Association (EESA) is a community service and field trip based organization whose aim is to involve undergraduate students in possible career paths for Environmental Engineers." [Chapter of National Org.]
"Gamma Sigma Sigma - We are a community service organization here at the University of Delaware. Our mission is to promote a lifelong commitment to service and diversity, in an environment of unity and equality, while creating opportunities for growth." [Greek Organization]
"Healthy Living Club - Our mission is to develop a community that works together to eliminate the limitations imposed by poor health using small lifestyle changes that can be accomplished through engagement in monthly team challenges, member mentorship, and daily health tips." [Unknown]
"Students for the Environment (S4E) - Students For The Environment educates, promotes, and helps the campus and outside community with regard to the environment." [Student Governed]
"Veg Club - Veg Club strives to promote, inform, and educate those currently practicing or those with interest in pursuing/further exploring a vegetarian, vegan, or meat-reduction lifestyle!" [Student Governed]
"Wildlife Society - The Wildlife Society is for students who enjoy the outdoors and are concerned about the environment. We hold biweekly meetings on campus and participate in activities throughout the semester." [Chapter of a National Org.]
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects 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 is a student-run organic farm on the south campus, which is part of the academic offerings of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. They sell any extra produce on campus each week. There is also a community garden on campus where students and UD community members can reserve plots. This garden was launched in 2010 with a Green Grant through the Sustainability Task Force. It also operates as a CSA.
The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
There are several entrepreneurial programs and leaderships programs that have taken up sustainability issues or projects in the past, but I do not currently have details on their ongoing statuses.
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives 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 Sustainability Task Force launched the Green Grants (formerly "Sustainability Fund") grant program with a generous donation from UD alumni. The fund is dedicated to implementing student sustainability initiatives on the UD campus. There is also an energy efficiency revolving fund managed by UD's Energy Manager.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
Each April the College of Arts & Sciences Environmental Humanities Program
and Delaware Environmental Institute host the "Lights, Camera, Earth!" film festival, which focuses on environmental and sustainability themed documentaries and movies. Throughout each year, UD also hosts a wide variety of speakers and conferences on topics ranging from climate change in the Arctic to equity and diversity. Many of these events are not repeated on an annual basis; I can provide a 2015 list of events on request.
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
Each April the College of Arts & Sciences Environmental Humanities Program
and Delaware Environmental Institute host the "Lights, Camera, Earth!" film festival, which focuses on environmental and sustainability themed documentaries and movies. Earth Month also brings a variety of events, including "Music, Liberation and the Environment:
It's a Global Thing", a panel discussing music, art, equity and the environment around the globe that wraps up with a musical concert.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Though we have an Outdoors club and a Wilderness club, neither explicitly dedicates itself to Leave No Trace principles in their online synopses.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
n/a
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
None outside of their academic pursuits.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The Sustainability program offers multiple unpaid internship opportunities each semester for students interested in supporting sustainability initiatives on campus. We are also in the process of sourcing funding for paid internships and research opportunities.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
n/a
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
In the Handshake website system, search for "sustainability" to see current and former internship offerings.
In the Handshake website system, search for "sustainability" to see current and former internship offerings.
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.