| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.79 |
| Liaison | Larry Cook |
| Submission Date | Dec. 4, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of South Carolina
EN-10: Community Partnerships
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Caroline
Zerhusen Project Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus?:
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above:
https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/sustainability/sustainability_on_campus/community/index.php
The Sustainable Carolina K12 Outreach team makes biweekly visits to AC Moore elementary school where they teach lessons and lead activities to the Green Club that are rooted in environmental education. Past lessons have included gardening basics, the three pillars of sustainability, and the recycling game. Currently the team is working on forming partnerships with other local schools and expanding the program to middle and high schools by establishing a curriculum that aligns with the state of South Carolina's education requirements.
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (2nd partnership) (Yes, No, or Not Sure):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (2nd partnership):
The Food Recovery Network is a campus organization that collects excess food from campus dining halls, restaurants, and catering events and donates it to local charities such as Oliver Gospel Mission and Transitions Homeless Center. Since 2017 they have donated nearly 40,000 lbs of food to these local partners.
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/dining_services/dining_initiatives/community_involvement/index.php
Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (3rd partnership):
Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners in strategic planning, decision-making, implementation and review? (3rd partnership) (Yes, No, or Unknown):
A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability, including website URL (if available) and information to support each affirmative response above (3rd partnership):
Twice a year, Campus Recycling in collaboration with EcoReps hosts the Give it up for Good sale. Each dorm on campus has a designated area for students who are moving out to leave items they would otherwise throw away, such as unwanted furniture, clothes, non-perishables, board games, etc. All items are collected and sorted, and then sold at the Give it up for Good sale. All proceeds go directly to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, and any additional items that are unsold are donated to them as well. https://www.sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2018/05/give_it_up_for_good_2018.php#.Xjr0gGhKiUl
A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:
Gamecock Pantry is an on campus resource for students who struggle with food insecurity to pick up to 15 items a week free of charge. This program is run through donations from the local community and does an excellent job of diverting excess food on campus.
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/dining_services/dining_initiatives/community_involvement/index.php
The partnership between Green Quad, Sustainable Carolina, and Sustainable Midlands began as early as 2011, when our students and staff worked closely with their team in efforts to clean up the Rocky Branch Creek, which runs through USC’s campus onward to the Congaree River.
The mission of Sustainable Midlands is to encourage responsible growth, ensure access to local food and establish a healthy environment for all Midlands communities. With the help of federal grants, our partnership also included funding for USC graduate and undergraduate internship opportunities. We routinely continue to partner with regional watershed cleanups and with the new Adopt-A-Stream monitoring, with an emphasis on Rocky Branch.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.