Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.04
Liaison Larry Cook
Submission Date Feb. 29, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of South Carolina
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Namita Koppa
Assistant Director for Program Management
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
Yes or No
Active student groups focused on sustainability Yes
Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems Yes
Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes Yes
Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills No
Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles Yes
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences ---
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution Yes
Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions Yes
Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives Yes

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences (SEAS) is a group for students interested in aquatic sciences of any major. Students meet weekly to discuss topics of interest related to sustainability and bring in guest speakers. http://www.msci.sc.edu/seas/home

Net Impact is a national organization of over 30,000 people who are interested in more than just profit in business. It as founded in 1993 for the purpose of bringing like-minded people together from across the world and to form local communities who pursue common goals. UofSC's chapter gives students access to networks, job postings and news on the latest developments in socially responsible business. Website: http://moore.sc.edu/about/sustainableenterprisedevelopment/ourcommunity/netimpact.aspx

Student Health Services' Changing Carolina Peer Leaders are a group of diverse USC student leaders who have a passion for health education and wellness. Through a combination of specialized training and leadership development, Changing Carolina develops and nurtures peer leaders destined to make a difference at the University of South Carolina! Changing Carolina Peer Leaders come from all academic disciplines and backgrounds and are involved in a variety of on-campus initiatives and organizations. Together, they represent a commitment to making the University a healthier and better place for students to live, work, and play!

Healthy Carolina's mission is to create a healthy campus environment that promotes the development and maintenance of a healthy body, mind and spirit through the collaborative development, promotion and assessment of policies, programs, services and initiatives that address all dimensions of wellness for the members of the University of South Carolina campus community.

The Real Food Challenge at UofSC is a student-run organization that works closely with Carolina Dining and the Office of Sustainability to find ways to incorporate more organic, local, and fair trade food on campus.

The purpose of the Environmental Law Society is to promote environmental awareness through education and contact with environmental law practitioners, federal and state agency personnel, environmental consultants, university students and other interested parties through monthly meetings. The Society will also promote environmental education through various research activities and publications.

University of South Carolina EcoReps work in their residence halls to educate their peers about sustainability and promote environmentally friendly behaviors.

The Green Quad Green Scholars are leaders among the residents that are committed to helping their peers live and maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Ambassadors plan service events, support Green Tailgates, and provide tours for the Green Quad community. The Green Quad also supports sustainability talks to

Sustainable Carolina, in addition to being an integrative learning experience for students, is a student organization. The organizational arm provides students opportunities to serve on project teams which plan and implement the university's sustainability engagement portfolio. Project teams are based on student interests; 2014-15 teams included the garden team, Earth Jam team, Real Food Challenge team, Food Week team, and AC Moore Garden Club team.


The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:

Healthy Carolina's weekly farmer's markets in the middle of campus bringing in local vendors to sell produce and goods while promoting local, healthy food options for students.

Founded in 2007, the Carolina Community Farm & Garden (CCFG) was the first community garden on campus. CCFG demonstrates a variety of practices including permaculture design, aquatic features, rainwater collection, composting, hydroponics, vermicomposting, individually maintained box gardens, greenhouse production, and an emerging forest garden. Students are welcome to grow and learn during open volunteer hours and take some of the food they grow. CCFG partners with various departments of the university and community organizations to provide students with a hands-on component for their studies. Students use space in the garden to explore growing and tasting foods from around the world, food systems, environmental studies, anthropology, biology and even art and business.


The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:

Gamecock Biosoaps converts UofSC waste vegetable oil into biofuel and soaps. Biofuels are utilized in the campus fleet, while soaps are sold across campus and in the Columbia community. The company is housed out of Dr. Tom Syfert's Sustainability Management course, and students are responsible for daily operations, marketing, and project management.

The Carolina Community Farm & Garden hydroponics student-run business sells high quality, organically-seeded hydroponic greens to campus dining and local farmer's markets.


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
---

The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
---

A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

Darla Moore School of Business
The Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina hosts a Sustainability Speaker Series. Professionals across industries are invited to present to DMSB students, faculty, and staff on the role of sustainability in their careers.

Southeastern EcoReps Conference
Held annually to bring together EcoReps from around the Southeast together for networking and professional development. The conference is planned by a committee of students from the University of South Carolina and other attending schools with the assistance of a staff member from the University of South Carolina. An average of 90 student EcoReps from 17-20 different colleges and universities around the Southeast attend.

The College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management promotes an annual sustainability speaker series with a mission to link its students to sustainability practitioners.


The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

Reclaimed Runway
Large-scale fashion show where participants create outfits out of recycled and/or upcycled materials. Designers and models are judged on their creativity, design ability, and crowd appraisal.

Earth Jam
Music concert and festival held in the heart of campus. Student bands perform, followed by festival activities including: crafts, food, and yoga.

Green Quad Dining Demos
Cooking demonstrations or meals which feature sustainable cooking and eating


The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:

The University has active outdoor programs hosted by the Office of Outdoor Recreation. Learning outcomes for ORec include:
1. To introduce and expose individuals to the environment through outdoor recreation activities
2. To empower individuals to move beyond self-imposed limitations
3. To develop effective team building and leadership skills
4. To educate students about the environment and sustainability
5. To think critically, identify risks and make sound decisions
6. To explore and attain new skills that will merge academic and recreational experiences
7. To provide meaningful experiences outside of the classroom


The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
---

The website URL where information about the theme is available:
---

A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

Sustainable Living on Campus presentation
This presentation provides students with a basic knowledge about what sustainability is, why it is important, and what habits they can adopt while a student at UofSC to live in a more sustainable manner. It is given in sections of University 101 – a course taken by first years to introduce them to college life.

The mission of the Healthy Carolina Wellness Community (HCWC) is to promote the academic success and personal development of students, provide motivated, health-conscious students the opportunity to live in a community designed to enhance personal and collective wellness, foster prioritization of wellness, increase faculty-student interaction, provide active learning experiences, service learning, community development, and diversity.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:

Sustainable Carolina's Green Career Fair is a professional development event for students. Businesses and other organizations with jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities, research, and shadow-ships relevant to sustainability network with students.

The Sustainable Carolina externship program allows students to receive sustainability-focused employment opportunities with community and campus partners.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:

At Sustainable Carolina's annual Earth Jam, students are encouraged to sign a sustainability pledge aiming to consider social and environmental responsibility.


The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
---

A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:

Sustainable Carolina's Leadership Program offers undergraduate internship and professional development experiences in line with UofSC's Graduation with Leadership Distinction pathways in professional and civic engagement, research, global learning, and community service.


The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.