University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
EN-2: Co-Curricular Activities
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
8.00 / 9.00 |
Abigail
Brewer Communications & Engagement Specialist Sustainable Carolina |
2.1 Student sustainability organization
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the sustainability-focused student organization(s):
Over the past year, we’ve created a Sustainability Coalition, made up of the environmentally focused student organizations we formally recognized, along with University departments. The student organizations are listed on our website: https://sustainable.unc.edu/campus-engagement/sustainability-coalition/
Sustainability focused student organizations we formally recognize include: Solar Equity, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Epsilon Eta, Meantime Coffee Company, Carolina Thrift, Sustainable Business Club, Student Environmental Action Coaltion, Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee, UNC Student Government Department of Environmental Affairs.
SolarEquity is a student-run nonprofit organization that seeks to empower North Carolina residents by facilitating solarization projects in affordable housing communities by building valuable partnerships to drive an equitable and sustainable energy transition. During the 2023 calendar year, the organization raised $100,000 for solar installation on affordable community housing apartments, which will be completed by the end of 2024. The group holds guest speaker sessions in collaboration with Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee and the Sustainable Business Club, two other Carolina student organizations. https://solar-equity.org/
Does the institution formally recognize at least one student organization that is focused on a topic other than sustainability, but is advancing ecological integrity or racial equity and social justice?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the student organizations that are advancing ecological integrity or racial equity and social justice:
https://tarheels.live/campusy/
The Campus Y is a collaborative space that unites students, staff, faculty, and community partners in the pursuit of social justice. The Campus Y Student Organization hosts more than 30 student-led committees and initiatives
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
2.2 Sustainability-focused co-curricular activities
Description of and/or website URL for at least one major sustainability-focused event or series of events:
The UNC Clean Tech Summit convenes more than 1,000 students, business professionals, international speakers, policy makers, and academics for two days of engagement to foster leadership, share new ideas, and bring growth opportunities to the Southeast’s clean tech economy. The Summit is co-hosted by the UNC Institute for the Environment and the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Professional mentorship and career fairs are key components of the event. Topics include energy, water, agriculture, circular economy. https://ie.unc.edu/cleantech/
The Sustainability Research Symposium, held for the first time in April 2023, and again in April 2024, features lightning talks from Carolina faculty working on sustainability-related research. The event was well attended by students. Some students stayed for a few talks and some of stayed for the entire two-hour program. Sustainable Carolina hopes to get students interested in sustainability research through this event. After all, sustainability research leads to technological advancements that can make the planet a better place to live. https://sustainable.unc.edu/2023/08/a-look-back-at-the-2023-research-sustainability-symposium/
Does the institution have a sustainability-focused peer-to-peer education program in which student educators are selected and trained to help catalyze change among their peers?:
Description of and/or website URL for at least one sustainability-focused peer-to-peer education programs for students:
Green Games
Does the institution provide sustainability-focused employment opportunities for students on at least an annual basis?:
Description of and/or website URL for at least one sustainability-focused employment opportunity for students:
The Sustainable Tar Heels Internship runs through the UNC Institute for the Environment’s EcoStudio program. Internship roles include communication, research translation, energy auditing, water quality analysis, and Greek Life liaison.
The Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling hires student interns to run Green Games (residence hall program), assist with events and manage move-in and move-out programs.
Carolina Dining Services has two student interns that assist with sustainability-related outreach within the dining halls. https://sustainable.unc.edu/campus-engagement/student-internships/
Does the institution have at least one student-managed enterprise that is sustainability-focused?:
Description of and/or website URL for at least one student-managed enterprise that is sustainability-focused:
Meantime Coffee is a student-run nonprofit coffee shop on campus. Housed in the Campus Y, it is at the center of social justice and innovation. Coffee beans are sourced locally from Carrboro Coffee Roasters and profits fund student scholarships and grants. Meantime baristas designated $4,000 to charities of their choice, and the remaining 60% of profits went to Campus Y social justice initiatives. The shop supports other student food ventures and local businesses. It also has its own reusable mug program, which has led to a 162% increase in reusable mugs since its implementation. https://www.themeantimecoffeeco.com/
Description of additional sustainability-focused co-curricular activities for students:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
2.3 Percentage of students that participate in sustainability activities
Percentage of students that participate in sustainability activities:
Approach used to determine the percentage of students that participate in the institution’s sustainability activities:
Narrative outlining how student participation in the institution’s sustainability activities was determined:
Sustainability Social 300+
CleanTech Summit 573
Student organizations 500+
Green Games and RHA 8000+
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.