| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.36 |
| Liaison | Matthew Williams |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Florida
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.97 / 4.00 |
Liz
Storn Program Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
Total number of students enrolled for credit that are served (i.e. directly targeted) by a student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program (avoid double-counting to the extent feasible):
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
Name of the student educators program:
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:
The TailGator Recycling Squad is a volunteer-based recycling program coordinated by the UF Office of Sustainability, in partnership with Pepsi and Facilities Services Solid Waste Management, that aims to educate and encourage tailgating football fans to recycle and do so properly. TailGator Interns educate volunteers (many of whom return multiple games a season) on proper waste management and waste reduction.
For shifts throughout the day, volunteers are given blue recycling bags and assigned to high-traffic tailgating areas on campus where they distribute the bags to fans, along with information on what is and is not recyclable at UF.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
TailGator Interns apply in the fall and are selected based on their resume, cover letter and an interview.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
TailGator Interns are trained on proper recycling, safety and how to train volunteers. They also have weekly meetings with Office of Sustainability staff for further education. TailGator volunteers, which include a significant proportion of graduate students and often work multiple games, are trained each gameday and provided with tips on how to approach tailgating groups as well as proper recycling and safety.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination):
The Office of Sustainability and Pepsi provide funding for materials required for the TailGator interns as well as food and refreshments and t-shirts. Additionally, Office of Sustainability pays 2 interns, and staff supervise and coordinate with TailGator interns.
Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
The Office of Sustainability hosts Green and Clean events to help reduce litter and invasive plant species in natural areas across campus. Students, Faculty and Staff are invited to participate, and are provided with training on invasive species and the detrimental effects of litter on the natural areas. Participants are also provided with information about the number and type of natural areas across campus, broadening their awareness of how special the UF campus is.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Green and Clean Interns apply at the beginning of the fall term and are selected based on their resume, cover letter and an interview.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
Green and Clean Interns are provided with training about the campus natural areas, effects of litter, safety and identification of invasive species. They then determine optimal ways to convey this information to the volunteers who sign up for each event. Volunteers are trained at the start of each Green adn Clean event.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (2nd program):
The Office of Sustainability pays interns to lead the Green and Clean events and also pays for required supplies and refreshments.
Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
The University of Florida Eco-Reps are part of the Inter Residence Hall Association Environmental Concerns Committee. The Eco-reps focus on providing educational events for those living in on-campus dorms around the topics of sustainable living, reducing waste, sustainable shopping, sustainable lifestyles, and more. UF Housing's Eco-Rep program trains residents to engage other residents in sustainability focused programming throughout the academic year. Resources are provided to Eco-Reps to educate residents in their hall about reducing waste, water, and energy use, as part of the annual Eco-Challenge on campus.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
Organized through IRHA, residents are encouraged to apply at the beginning of the year and are selected base on their application and an interview to be the Eco-Rep for their residence hall. Resources are provided to Eco-Reps to educate residents in their hall about reducing waste, water, and energy use, as part of the annual Eco-Challenge on campus.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
Eco-Reps attend meetings with IHRA officers to prepare for their roles.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (3rd program):
The Department of Housing & Residence Education provide materials and prizes for Eco-Rep programming and the Eco-Challenge. The IHRA Director of Environmental Concerns utilizes resources from the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Housing & Residence Education.
A brief description of all other student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs, including the number of students served and how student educators are selected, trained, and supported by the institution:
Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually (all programs):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.