Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 42.13
Liaison Eva Rocke
Submission Date June 30, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Montana
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.24 / 4.00 Madeleine Jones
ASUM Sustainability Coordinator
ASUM
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
16,259

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):
975

Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
6.00

Name of the student educators program:
UM Eco-Rep Program

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
975

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:

The Eco-Rep Program aims to integrate sustainability-focused activities into dorm life through a variety of events, informational handouts, and discussions. Students learn to use the bus system, recycle, conserve energy and water, and participate in community events. One example of an Eco-Rep activity is the week-long dorm energy conservation competition the Reps organized in spring 2016. They have also coordinated "green cleaning/laundry" events, do-it-yourself soap and personal care product workshops, and a local foods event in collaboration with UM Dining.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected:

Students apply to be Eco-Reps and receive a stipend for their work. Notice of the programs and open application periods come through Residence Life and UM student government. All interested students are invited to submit a written description of their work experience and interest in the positions and are interviewed by Office of Sustainability staff.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:

Eco-reps are trained by one faculty representative and the student government sustainability coordinator. UM has a handbook for the Eco-Rep Program to share ideas and provide structure to the program as student leaders join anew each year. Additionally, student Eco-Reps are encouraged to develop their own ideas into activities for residents. At the start of the fall semester, the Reps spend a day meeting relevant sustainability staff and various professionals around campus who will be useful as they plan activities and have questions on sustainability topics.


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):

Faculty from the Climate Change Studies program and the Sustainability Coordinator from UM's student government support and supervise the program. The Eco-Reps are given stipends for their work from the student-funded revolving energy loan fund, KRELF (Kless Revolving Energy Loan Fund). The grant funds from KRELF also cover small operational and programmatic costs like supplies, prizes, and food or transportation for events.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
ASUM Sustainability Center

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
14,493

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):

The Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) supports a Sustainability Center directed by a student Sustainability Coordinator. The student Sustainabiltiy Coordinator provides information and outreach campus-wide, to all students. Activities include educational programs, tabling at events, internships, supervision of the EcoRep program, campaign development and implementation, and student engagement with the Kless Revolving Energy Loan Fund.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):

Graduate students apply for the position of Sustainability Coordinator. A selection committee of staff, faculty and students select the coordinator typically on an annual basis (in the spring). However, several coordinators have stayed for multiple years in a row, adding even greater value to the position and Sustainability Center.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):

ASUM Sustainability Coordinators attend the annual AASHE conference and gain on-the-job training with the University Sustainability Coordinator.


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 position of ASUM Sustainability Coordinator is a paid position that is funded by the student sustainability fee. A small portion of the fee is set aside to cover the wages and operational budget of the ASUM sustainability coordinator while the rest of the funds support the Revolving Energy Loan Fund. The ASUM Sustainability Center budget runs approximately $18k per year, including the tuition waiver provided to the student employee.


Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
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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):
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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:
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually (all programs):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.