| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.79 |
| Liaison | Larry Cook |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Carolina
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Caroline
Zerhusen Project Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences (SEAS) - SEAS is an avenue for students to get involved in a community of ocean stewards, hosting engaging speakers ranging from USC marine science faculty to professionals in aquatic industries which is a wonderful opportunity to learn about exciting research, potential career paths, and other ocean-related news. We take trips to local aquariums, research trips to the Baruch Institute-USC's coastal lab, provide education outreach to local schools, volunteer with environmental organizations, and host social events. https://www.seoe.sc.edu/seas/welcome
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!
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student_health_services/wellness-prevention/get-involved/changing-carolina-peer-leaders/index.php
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.
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student_health_services/wellness-prevention/healthy-carolina/index.php
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. https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/law/student_life/student_organizations/index.php
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. https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/housing/green_quad/get_involved/index.php
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; current teams included the garden team, Zero Waste team, Campus-wide Events team, Green Certification team, Food Systems team, and K-12 Outreach team.
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
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 gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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 enterprises is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
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 conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
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 Stock
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 events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs 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 programs is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs 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 programs is available (optional):
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
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 opportunities is available:
Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
At Sustainable Carolina's annual Earth day celebration, students are encouraged to sign a sustainability pledge committing to considering social and environmental responsibility. This pledge is also available 24/7 for students, staff, and community members to sign on the Office of Sustainability website. All who sign are automatically subscribed to the offices external sustainability newsletter.
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
A brief description of the 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, diversity and social advocacy, and community service.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.