Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 27.31
Liaison Adam Strzemienski
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2019

STARS v2.2

University of North Georgia
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student groups 

Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Yes

Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Sustainability Club of North Georgia
Students for Environmental Awareness Club
Organic Gardening/Sustainable Living Club

Gardens and farms 

Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project 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:
A gardening course has been offered to UNG students for a basic guide of organics and the gardening club alongside the Vickery House 4H garden. UNG also has a strong relationship with the local Master Gardeners organization for cooperative projects.

Student-run enterprises 

Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
Yes

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Omicon Delta Kappa has been a long running leader for sustainability efforts on campus. In recent years, they have championed the expansion of the recycling programs on campus.
https://ung.edu/news/articles/2018/06/students-take-steps-in-making-ung-sustainable-campus1.php

Sustainable investment and finance 

Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative 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:
The fund has not been established but has been proposed by UNG's President's Committee on Sustainability. To help formalize the fund, a student survey was conducted to gauge approval of a $3 Green Fee. The fee was received well and supported by students. Per University System of Georgia rules, this is the first step in getting system approval for adding the new fee. UNG intends to recommend this fee in the near future.

Events 

Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
Kevin Kirsche from UGA came as a speaker on Sustainability for a student audience https://sustainability.uga.edu/about-us/office-of-sustainability/

Cultural arts 

Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Earth Day is celebrated with green activities and an earth focused movie showing

Wilderness and outdoors programs 

Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Hurricane Creek Research Site which is a piece of property a few miles from campus that supports research and conservation. Wilderness and outdoor programs are also available through Student Recreation via organized trips or no-cost equipment rental.

Sustainability-focused themes 

Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Environmental Science classes require the students to complete environmental based service hours which they complete throughout our community and Campus at River Cleanups, Privet pulls, garbage pick ups and environmental festivals. The UNG's ground crew (Dan Jackson) has even created the opportunity for students to help and learn here on campus.

Sustainable life skills 

Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Environmental Science, Biology, Botany, Water Lab, Ecological Protection Lab, SCALE Club.
https://ung.edu/news/articles/2018/02/scale-lab-allows-biology-students-to-sample-a-variety-of-research-projects.php

Student employment opportunities 

Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Both ELC labs provide real world opportunities to develop environmental based field and lab skills while attending the University.
  https://ung.edu/Environmental-Leadership-Center/ecological-protection-lab/index.php

https://ung.edu/Environmental-Leadership-Center/water-lab/index.php

Graduation pledge

Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
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Optional Fields

A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Environmental Leadership Center has research opportunities related to the ELC's labs. Research in the Water Lab ranges from watershed management and to predicative modeling.  In the Ecological Protection Lab research focuses on the effects of invasive species, biological management options and monitoring forest health. 

Biology has the Opportunities for Research by Nancy Dalman and the Scale Lab

https://ung.edu/news/articles/2018/02/scale-lab-allows-biology-students-to-sample-a-variety-of-research-projects.php

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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