| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.00 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Andrews |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of New Hampshire
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Colleen
Flaherty Communications and Information Coordinator Sustainability Institute |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
14,817
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):
14,817
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
100
1st Program
Sustainability Institute Internships
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
14,817
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:
The Sustainability Institute (SI) offers a number of student internships positions each year. Any UNH student can apply to be a Sustainability Intern, each receiving hourly wages, and training on sustainability, communications, and facilitative leadership. Interns work directly with the SI, Energy and Ecosystem Task Forces, and students. Interns act as liaisons between students and administration. They create and implement outreach campaigns around waste and recycling and help coordinate Recyclemania efforts on campus, they are UNH’s “experts” on sustainability. They take knowledge and skills learned in the internship and through peer-to-peer learning teach and empower other UNH students to engage in sustainability efforts. They help the task forces in making recommendations in these areas across education, research, and practice. They also assist with student outreach and communications, including blogging on the SI blog and the UNH Tales blog. Below are two examples of SI intern peer-to-peer activities:
1. Sustainability Interns coordinated a large community service effort to increase connectivity between community service work and sustainability. They facilitated two meetings with a diverse array of student organizations to discuss the importance of community service in sustainability. These discussions provided students an overview of sustainability at UNH and a brainstorm of community service activities they could implement. Interns took the connections and information made at the meetings to develop a Day of Service for Earth Day. Student organizations were empowered to craft their own service opportunities as part of the Day of Service, relying on Sustainability Interns for assistance with sustainability questions and event planning.
2. Sustainability Interns supported the 2017 Patagonia Worn Wear Tour. This campus-wide event was a collaboration between the Post-Landfill Action Network, UNH student environmental groups, numerous UNH departments, and Patagonia. Sustainability interns attended meetings and coordinated a table at the reuse fair. They trained student volunteers to staff the table with workshops on how to “table” effectively and answer questions about sustainability at UNH.
https://sustainableunh.unh.edu/internships
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
Internships are open to all UNH undergraduate and graduate students and the positions are advertised to all students through Wildcat Link, the SI website, and SI social media accounts. Students apply to become Sustainability Interns by submitting an application, writing sample, and professional reference to the Sustainability Institute. Staff interview the students and then select the most qualified students ensuring that the complement of interns represent a mix of diverse perspectives. The internship location is flexible, meaning some time is allotted to being on campus, but accommodations are made for students living off-campus to work remotely.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
Students receive formal training about sustainability, communications, and leadership. This training covers sustainability research, education, and practice at UNH, as well as the overarching principles of sustainability. After the introductory training, students receive weekly individual and group mentorship. Additional time for reflection, training, and professional development is allotted at the beginning and end of each semester to develop skills, and to help them think strategically about their projects.
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):
UNH SI provides each intern with an hourly wage. Sustainability Interns are paired with a full-time SI staff member who serves as a mentor.
If reporting students served by additional peer-to-peer programs, provide:
2nd Program
Environmental Advocates
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
7,396
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
UNH implements a version of the EcoReps program for students. Each residence hall recruits a designated Environmental Advocate (EA) position that sits on hall councils. SI staff coordinates EAs by scheduling meetings and providing meeting agendas, goals, mentorship, and facilitating cooperation between EAs and other UNH offices. EAs lead sustainability programming in their residence hall. Examples of programming include bulletin boards focused on sustainable living, hall socials that educate students on sustainable practices, and being available to answer sustainability questions that arise in hall meetings. EAs also perform sustainability outreach at events and table in central campus and notify their residence hall communities regarding sustainability events on campus. Peer-to-peer learning is an outcome of the engagement and programming that the EAs provide within each of the residence halls. Through this program, residents learn sustainability principles, how UNH practices sustainability, educational opportunities, and how they can engage in sustainability on campus.
http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/environmental-advocates
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Students who want to be an EA are nominated and then elected by their residence hall council. Though the primary target audience is on-campus students, if students indicate an interest in becoming an EA and are off-campus or are not the winner of the election, they are still encouraged to participate. The goal is not to restrict participation, rather to empower all students to take part in their sustainable learning community. All students are encouraged to participate in the EA program through SI’s newsletter, website, and social media.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
EA's receive formal introductory training about sustainability, communications, and leadership. This training covers sustainability research, education, and practice at UNH, as well as overarching principles of sustainability. EAs are trained by SI staff, SI interns, and other UNH faculty and staff who attend meetings as guest speakers. EAs disseminate these skills and information to other UNH students in their residence halls through communications, engagement activities, and events.
UNH Residential Life and SI staff mentor the EAs. UNH SI outreach and engagement interns support and coordinate EA campaigns and programs by providing information and in-person meetings and trainings.
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):
UNH Residential Life and Sustainability Institute staff mentor the EAs. UNH SI staff and Sustainability Interns support and coordinate EA campaigns and programs by providing information and in-person meetings and trainings.
If reporting students served by three or more peer-to-peer programs, provide:
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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Additional Programs
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Optional Fields
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
See also: http://sustainableunh.unh.edu/students
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.