Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 35.08
Liaison Susan Caplow
Submission Date July 24, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Montevallo
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Susan Caplow
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Behavioral and Social Sciences
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:

The UM Environmental Club works to educate Montevallo students and the surrounding community about solutions which improve the environmental stability of our society. Of late, our focus has been the implementation into university structure of a program that promotes avenues for making ethical decisions about energy consumption, food practices, and funding for green enterprise. We also work to improve the student body’s understanding of our food production system and its impact on our environment, health, and economy. To this end, we have created a community garden where students and community members can reconnect with food.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:

The University of Montevallo Organic Community Garden has plots available to students and other community members who wish to grow fresh vegetables this summer and fall. Plots are 6’ x 12’ with walking space all around. They can be rented for $10 each to UM students and $20 each to other members of the community. Students also have the option to pay $5 and work five volunteer hours for the balance. Organic fertilizer has already been added to the soil, and garden tools are available for use on site.

For gardeners with a surplus of produce, Shelby Emergency Assistance (SEA) gladly accepts donations of fresh food from this or any home garden. We donate all produce from our UM-managed garden to SEA every year.


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)?:
No

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
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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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:

It all began during the 2010-2011 academic year when members of the UM Environmental Club successfully gained support from the SGA and more than 45% of the student body via petition. Thanks to a student contribution of $5 per regular semester and $2 per summer term, UM students, faculty, and staff may apply for grants to fund projects that promote sustainability across the UM campus and throughout the City of Montevallo.

The Sustainability Committee is tasked with allocating these funds, and this Committee is student-majority by design so that students could take a leadership role in the allocation of these funds. Student projects are also given priority consideration so students can gain practice in project management.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:

Every year to celebrate earth day, UM Environmental Club plans a full week of events, including speakers, movies, outdoor adventures, community service, and an Earth Fest.


The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
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Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:

The Forte Festival of Creativity is an interdisciplinary collaboration co-hosted by the College of Fine Arts, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Montevallo Arts Council. The three-day celebration consists of interactive workshops, scholarly lectures, exhibitions, innovative performances and spirited post-event discussions with attendees. The past two years, the Environmental Club's Earth Week has been included as part of the activities available through Forte.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:

The President's Outdoor Scholars Program takes regular outings and they practice LNT.


The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
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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)?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

Residence Life requires each RA to offer at least one sustainability-themed activity/event each year - themes have included repurposing/upcycling and conserving resources.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
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Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

We have one position for a sustainability/Environmental Student Worker who assists in sustainability planning and management.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
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Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledges:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
No

A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
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Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
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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.