| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 36.72 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Abernathy |
| Submission Date | July 17, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Mississippi
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.15 / 4.00 |
Jade
Chalkley Sustainability Fellow 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 mission of the Eco Reps program is to effectively educate and empower students within their residential communities to act as environmental stewards, while simultaneously providing opportunities for involvement in campus sustainability. The Eco Reps program is interested in building capacity and community in our most valuable resource for positive cultural change: our students. https://sustain.olemiss.edu/projects-events/eco-reps/
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
During the beginning of each semester, Eco Rep applications are promoted through social media platforms and the university's campus-wide UM Today email list. A notification the applications are open is also sent out to select professors who partner with the office, student organizations that may have an additional interest (ie, UM Garden club), and all environmental studies minors at the University of Mississippi. Applicants fill out a form on the sustain.olemiss.edu website listing experience and qualifications. The applicants are reviewed and selected by the Office of Sustainability's Sustainability Fellow, who manages the program. Once selected, the students are invited to participate in a mandatory half-day orientation that takes place in the beginning of the semester.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
Eco Rep training is done at the orientation program held at the beginning of the semester. Eco Reps learn about sustainability and the roles of the office. In addition, they are participate in change agent leadership and communication activities. The orientation utilizes team building strategies in order to develop the team dynamic. The Eco Reps then focus on learning about different topics per week during their weekly meetings. This includes corresponding readings, assignments, and presentations from individuals who are knowledgeable of the topic. Topics have included a food justice presentation by a UM faculty member as well as recycling and composting presentations by Green Student Interns working in those areas. In addition, the EcoReps gain experience by researching sustainability topics and presenting their research to the group to discuss.
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 Sustainability Fellow in the Office of Sustainability manages the Eco Reps Program each semester. Although the program is student led, the Fellow provides guidance, mentoring, and assistance for events and other projects. Eco Reps is funded through the Office of Sustainability's annual operating budget.
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 Green Grove Team Leaders program is a volunteer leadership opportunity within the Green Grove Game Day Recycling Program. Team Leader duties center around recycling education and outreach and peer leadership. Team Leaders recruit and lead student volunteers on home football game Saturdays to distribute recycling bags and recycling information to tailgaters. Team Leaders also provide valuable educational outreach to UM students by giving a minimum of one presentation about game day recycling to a university class or group each semester. Green Grove Team Leaders gain hands-on leadership experience by managing volunteers and directly impact the success of the gameday recycling program by increasing the effectiveness of volunteer efforts, ensuring clear and accurate recycling information is provided to tailgaters and serving as a knowledgeable representative of the initiative. https://sustain.olemiss.edu/green-grove-program/
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Team Leaders are selected through an application process. The application is promoted through social media platforms, the Green Grove volunteer listserv and the university's campuswide UM Today email list. A notification that applications are open is also sent out to professors who partner with the Office of Sustainability, sustainability and leadership-related clubs, and students who are minoring in environmental studies at the University of Mississippi. Applicants complete a form at sustain.olemiss.edu and detail leadership experience, experience with sustainability topics, volunteer experience with the Green Grove program, and interest in waste reduction and sustainability. Applicants must have had volunteered with the Green Grove program previously to be considered for the Team Leader position. Applications are reviewed and the qualified applicants are selected by the Office of Sustainability Project Manager.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
Green Grove Team Leaders receive their initial training at an orientation session at the beginning of the Fall semester. This half-day orientation includes icebreaker and team building exercises. The Team Leaders then are given a presentation about sustainability, the Green Grove program, change agency, and leadership strategies. The Team Leaders then tour the tailgating grounds of the University as they learn about the different sections where they will be assigned during the season. They then participate in several recycling sorting exercises to make sure that they understand what is and what is not recyclable, how to communicate with tailgaters, and practice role-playing scenarios that may arise while managing 10+ volunteers each. This training is followed up by additional feedback during weekly meetings.
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 Project Manager of the Office of Sustainability manges the Green Grove Program, with guidance from the Office of Sustainabilty Associate Director. The day-to-day operations of the program are led by two to four Green Grove Coordinators, who are paid interns of the Office of Sustainability. Financial support for the Team Leader program is provided by the Office of Sustainability and occasional donations.
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 Green Student Intern Program employs 5-7 students each semester. These students each have a specialization or focus within their internship in the Office of Sustainability. Specializations range in topics and include (but are not limited to) sustainable transportation, outreach and communications, diversity and inclusion, recycling and waste reduction and composting. Interns work on outreach materials and assist in the planning of educational events. Green student interns present to the university's First Year Experience (or EDHE) classes. EDHE is an elective introductory class for first-year students at the University of Mississippi. The interns present on "Sustainability at Ole Miss" as well as ways to get involved with the Office of Sustainability and our volunteer opportunities. The interns also table at the Get Involved Fair during Welcome Week, at all "Rebel Roundup" tabling events during summer orientation and throughout spring and fall semesters on topics of recycling and sustainable transportation. Additionally, they interact with their peers at events such as the UM Food Day Festival and all Green Week eventshttps://sustain.olemiss.edu/green-student-intern-program/
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
The Green Student Intern Program draws competitive applicants from a range of majors on campus. Interested students fill out an application, on which they select one to two specializations, and submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail. The applications are promoted through the Honors College, to environmental studies minor, in the Office of Sustainability newsletter, and via the campuswide UM Today email. Applications are reviewed by the full-time staff of the Office of Sustainability and are ranked according to a rubric. Students are then interviewed in person by at least two sustainability staff members. After interviews interns are chosen for the available positions before the end of the semester.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
All Green Student Interns attend an orientation that consists of sustainability education and a review of the requirements of the positions. In addition, student interns are given reading materials regularly to review and discuss as a group. Students also undergo an EDHE sustainability presentation training given by a staff member or observe a presentation to learn how to best explain the concepts. This year, students also received a diversity and inclusion training, which they said was very beneficial.
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):
All full-time staff serve as mentors and supervisors of the Green Student Interns, depending on specialization. The program is managed and supervised by the project manager of the Office of Sustainability. The Green Student Interns are funded by the Office of Sustainability with the exception of the sustainable transportation intern who is funded by the Department of Parking and Transportation. In addition, some of the early compost intern positions were funded through the Green Fund.
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.