| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.36 |
| Liaison | Matthew Williams |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Florida
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Hannah
Ulloa Digital Content Manager Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
There are over 20 student groups at UF focused on sustainability or similar areas (such as the UF Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Wetlands Club, etc). Some of the most active groups that broadly focus on sustainability include:
- Gators Going Green: a student government agency responsible for advocating for sustainability issues and programming across campus. Gators Going Green’s core mission is to create and implement policies and programming that will support a more sustainable campus and community at the University of Florida.
- Student Compost Cooperative: This group will serve as a place for interested students to learn about composting, ask questions about the SCC, and to make suggestions.
- UF Enactus: The University of Florida Enactus team is a social entrepreneurship organization composed of academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world. Through 9 projects, Enacturs develop essential skills in the areas of project management, social entrepreneurship, leadership, and professional development.
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:
The UF Organic Garden rents plots for semester periods. Members of the cooperative plant vegetables and flowers of their choice on their plots, and are responsible for up-keep. They are expected to practice organic gardening methods and to participate in community workdays several times each semester. Water, manure, and some seeds are provided, and various tools are available onsite.
Additionally, the Field & Fork Farm and Gardens host a variety of production systems that are used for experiential learning, classes, tours, and events. From art and history to engineering and agronomy, the space is allows academic disciplines to explore and experience food systems concepts and sustainable agriculture in practice. Additionally, staff, interns, and volunteers work together to manage the space and provide food for the Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Pantry and local charities, such as GRACE Marketplace and Bread of the Mighty Food Bank.
The UF Field & Fork program supports a CSA program as well, coordinating with several local farms to offer a pick-up location on campus for interested students, faculty and staff.
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:
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 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:
The Office of Sustainability, other colleges and department, and student groups regularly host conferences, speaker series and symposia with students as the intended audience or that include both students and faculty/staff and the general public. Below are a listing of just a few typical events
- The Public Interest Environmental Law Conference is held annually at the UF Law School and targets both law students and professionals in the field.
- The UF Water Institute hosts an annual Symposium for students and professionals interested in sustainable water resources, as well as a variety of seminars intended for students
- The Florida Climate Institute regularly hosts speakers and events for students and the public, such as the annual Climate Communications Summit.
- The "Imagining Climate Change" initiative at UF hosts a variety of lectures, readings and performances open to students, faculty, staff and the public community.
- The Tropical Conservation and Development Program’s Center for Latin American Studies hosts an Annual Conference
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:
In fall of 2017, UF commissioned Julia Morrisroe, a College of the Arts (COTA) associate professor to paint a mural on the highly visual Water Reclamation Tank located on main campus. The mural, titled "Currents of Data", was conceived from images of Florida's Blue Springs and is meant to represent the way that data can inform environmental policy on and off campus. The painting of the mural was part of a series of master classes where UF students and community members could learn more about mural techniques.
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:
The Travel and Recreation Program is part of the UFCenter for Outdoor Recreation & Education. Highly trained and certified student staff lead adventure and leisure based trips for affiliates of the University of Florida and the community of Gainesville.
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:
From 2007 to Spring 2018, the University of Florida has instituted a common reader program for incoming freshmen. A number of our common reading programs books have been related to sustainability issues. Not only are all freshman expected to read the book, but it is incorporated into courses and a variety of co-curricular programming throughout the year.
Note: This program was not continued after the spring semester of 2018.
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:
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 Office of Sustainability employs paid student interns to assist with programming related to campus sustainability initiatives including: student body outreach, alternative transportation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, composting, recycling, and office certification processes.
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:
Gators Going Green is proud to announce the Green Gator Challenge. This challenge is designed to encourage individuals to become involved in the sustainability movement during their time here at UF. This challenge is open to all students. Individuals who complete the Challenge by the semester of their graduation will receive a cord to be worn during graduation. Are you up for the challenge?
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 Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative at the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center empowers students to use the skills and strategies of business leaders to create innovative and sustainable solutions to social, environmental, and economic problems, locally and around the world. Students can get involved through SISI courses, national and international partnerships, competitions and more.
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:
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.