| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.42 |
| Liaison | Austin Sutherland |
| Submission Date | Feb. 18, 2025 |
University of Pennsylvania
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.38 / 4.00 |
Part 1. Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer, sustainability educators program
Total number of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
1st program
A brief description of the student educators program (1st program):
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (1st program):
For each Eco-Rep initiative, outreach and engagement are central components. The target audience for these initiatives typically includes the entire student body, though specific projects may focus on distinct groups.
For example, the My Climate Story initiative (https://my-climate-story.org/) invites all students to share personal stories about how climate change has impacted their lives. Engagement occurs through various channels, including social media campaigns, tabling events, and even course assignments where professors encourage students to contribute their stories.
Another project focuses on spreading awareness about bird conservation through Bird-Friendly Campaigns, particularly the Audubon Society's national Lights Out program. This initiative targets all students living on campus, highlighting the University’s participation during peak bird migration seasons. Philadelphia’s central location along the Atlantic Flyway, a major migration route for over 500 bird species, makes this program especially relevant.
Additionally, efforts to increase waste diversion aim to educate the campus community about waste policies, standards, and practices. These efforts include conducting waste audits, updating signage, and implementing new waste programs such as deskside recycling and centralized trash systems.
Number of trained student educators (1st program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (1st program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (1st program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (1st program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (1st program):
If reporting students served by additional peer-to-peer programs, provide:
2nd program
A brief description of the student educators program (2nd program):
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (2nd program):
All students on campus interested in adopting more sustainable behaviors.
Number of trained student educators (2nd program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (2nd program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (2nd program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (2nd program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (2nd program):
If reporting students served by three or more peer-to-peer programs, provide:
3rd program
A brief description of the student educators program (3rd program):
Climate Leaders @ Penn (CL@P) is fellowship program that is driven by students, guided by faculty, and supported by the university. The program aims to accelerate, nurture, and ignite climate-focused entrepreneurship, leadership, and policy initiatives. It is a diverse community of graduate students that spans across all schools within the University of Pennsylvania.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (3rd program):
CL@P's purpose is to unite students, faculty members, research centers, and alumni, fostering a collaborative environment to better prepare Penn's graduate community for effectively tackling the challenges posed by the climate crisis.
Number of trained student educators (3rd program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (3rd program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (3rd program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (3rd program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (3rd program):
Additional programs
PennGreen is a pre-orientation program for incoming students sponsored by Penn Sustainability and the Undergraduate Assembly. It offers incoming students a unique Pre-Orientation experience focused on sustainability. It immerses participants in the vibrant eco-culture of both the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. Each year, the 5-day program evolves while consistently spotlighting environmental and sustainability-oriented adventures. PennGreen programming includes discovering local sustainability resources, connecting with Penn sustainability staff, student groups and faculty, delving into sustainable food networks, exploring eco-friendly initiatives on campus and beyond, discovering academic pathways in sustainability, and enjoying outdoor adventures like an overnight camping trip.
Number of trained student educators (all other programs):
Number of weeks, on average, the student educators programs are active annually (all other programs):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per student educator (all other programs) :
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (all other programs):
Part 2. Educator hours per student served by a peer-to-peer educator program
Hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators per student served by a peer-to-peer program:
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
At the University of Pennsylvania, 100% of students are served by peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs due to the comprehensive and inclusive nature of initiatives like the Student Eco-Reps, My Climate Story, and Green Living Certification. These programs engage students across various levels, from paid leadership positions in sustainability projects to hands-on involvement in certification programs that promote greener living habits. Efforts like the My Climate Story project target the entire student body, while programs like PennGreen provide an early introduction to sustainability for incoming students. By fostering collaboration and encouraging active participation, these initiatives ensure that all students are exposed to sustainability education and peer-led outreach, creating a campus-wide culture of environmental responsibility.
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.