| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 50.94 |
| Liaison | Corey Peterson |
| Submission Date | July 15, 2020 |
University of Tasmania
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 2.00 |
Sustainability
Team UTAS Infrastructure Services and Development |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
- Australian Youth Climate Coalition Tasmania (Tasmania University Union society) - generation-wide movement to solve the Climate crisis by educating, empowering, inspiring and mobilising young people across the country
- University of Tasmania Beekeeping Society (Tasmania University Union society) - postgrad society interested in beekeeping, producing local honey and the protection of bees
- Bird Watching – UTAS Avian Club (Tasmania University Union society) - an inclusive community committed to the appreciation of Tasmanian birds within their natural habitats
- Community Engagement Tasmania Society (COMET) (Tasmania University Union society) - a social justice initiative aiming to empower disadvantaged youth by teaching key criminal law concepts
- UTAS Food Revolution (Tasmania University Union society) - 1 in 5 rural uni students skip a meal because they can't afford to eat. UTAS Food Revolution wants to close that gap
- IMPACT Society (Tasmania University Union society) - dedicated to promoting awareness of issues affecting the health of developing communities
- International Society for Student Unity & Empowerment (Tasmania University Union society) - a student led global health society to raise money for sustainable medical and community projects in Uganda
- UTAS Red Cross Society (Tasmania University Union society) - aims to provide students with accessible ways to take humanitarian action and do good in their community
- Student Environment and Animal Law Society (SEALS) (Tasmania University Union society) - helping law students become engaged in environmental law, develop legal skills and build professional connections
- Student Refugee Support (Tasmania University Union society) - supporting student refugees in Tasmania
- The Justice Society (Tasmania University Union society) - committed to actively working toward a just society, and to the betterment and welfare of individuals and communities
- Women’s Collective (Tasmania University Union society) - provides a safe and supportive environment for Female students on campus
- Zero Waste Society (Tasmania University Union society) - aims to encourage members and the UTAS community to live a zero waste lifestyle
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?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
Source is a not-for-profit sustainability cooperative. Established in 2005 by a group of students in the Sandy Bay campus of the University of Tasmania, Source is a community-driven organic wholefoods cooperative, permaculture design garden, bustling café, catering provider and community meeting space.
Source has succeeded in providing staff and students with access to food that is ethical, local, organic, wholesome, vegetarian, good for the body and affordable. Source is a real place for students (and staff) to explore what sustainability means, get a taste of what a sustainable food system is, as well as building strong community networks.
Source has become an integral part of student involvement with sustainability at UTAS. Students volunteer at Source, learn about sustainable food practices, and/or are introduced to Source through key subjects or activities. For example, the unit ‘Developing Your Creative and Entrepreneurial Potential’ uses Source as a case study for ethical enterprise and entrepreneurship, the ‘Global Food Security’ unit runs field trips to Source and dedicates a two hour lecture to the organisation, and the Green Gown Award-winning Sustainability Integration Program for Students regularly has interns working on Source projects
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Source is a not-for-profit sustainability cooperative. Established in 2005 by a group of students in the Sandy Bay campus of the University of Tasmania, Source is a community-driven organic wholefoods cooperative, permaculture design garden, bustling café, catering provider and community meeting space.
Source has succeeded in providing staff and students with access to food that is ethical, local, organic, wholesome, vegetarian, good for the body and affordable. Source is a real place for students (and staff) to explore what sustainability means, get a taste of what a sustainable food system is, as well as building strong community networks.
Source is mainly managed by students, although some community members are involved in the board.
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?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
- Climate Justice Conference (8-10 Feb 2018) (http://www.climatejustice.network/)
- Seminar Series: STEM and Education for Sustainability (21 Nov 2017); finding common ground for a thriveable future; https://www.utas.edu.au/education/research/seminar-series/event-items/2017/stem-and-education-for-sustainability
- UTAS Enviro Week (19-23 March 2018); an initiative to promote clean living and good recycling habits, included an awareness campaign on sustainable practices in the form of a recycling information session and provision of information about the Tasmanian public transport to help lift the environmental profile of Tasmania, but also build strong ties between environmental interest groups on-campus.
- Panel Discussion - Fossil free future (22 August 2018); This free discussion on ethical investing includes Former Liberal party leader John Hewson (Professor at the Australian National University), Naomi Edwards, chair of Tasplan Super and the University of Tasmania's Benjamin J. Richardson & Tom Baxter. Nibbles from Source Wholefoods. Wed 22 August 6pm to 8pm Centenary Theatre, Sandy Bay campus Enquiries tom.baxter@utas.edu.au Hosted by the UTAS Psychology Society, Fossil Free UTAS & others.
- Global Climate Change Week (2018 and 2019); In the spirit of thinking globally and acting locally, UTAS researchers, farmers, business people, environmentalists and community representatives from the Launceston region came together to jumpstart Global Climate Change Week in the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary region. The week featured a series of free events at the University’s Inveresk and Newnham campuses. A highlight is the Community Panel which includes climate scientists, NRM, business, farmers and local council representatives.
- Sustainability Panel discussion (29 August 2018); engaging with the student body to find out how students want to see UTAS change and become more sustainable. From this engagement, we have seen trends in themes and suggestions for how UTAS can be better and become more sustainable. The aim for this panel is to take these main suggestions and show students how they could be practically implemented at UTAS, and how both students and staff have a role to play in working together to implement change.
- Wellbeing Week (annually) to support the 5 Ways of Wellbeing: Connect | Be Active | Take Notice | Keep Learning| Give
- Australia and New Zealand University Mental and Wellbeing Health Day (UMHD) (7 May 2019); - theme 'Use Your Voice'
Seminar Series: 'Cultural influence on ecological literacy in environmental adult education' presentation (01 March 2017); https://www.utas.edu.au/education/research/seminar-series/event-items/2017/cultural-influence-on-ecological-literacy-in-environmental-adult-education
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?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The UTAS Biological Sciences Club (https://www.facebook.com/UTASBSC/?ref=page_internal) are an inclusive community of nature lover, biologist, committed to 1) provide opportunities for members of the Society to explore the various aspects of the Biological Sciences and contribute to citizen science through ethical and educational field surveys; 2) create educational opportunities for the community regarding biological values, threatening processes and action-based solutions; and 3) connect students and staff of different disciplines within or outside of Biological Sciences.
As stated in their constitution, all Society activities will comply with the relevant 7 Leave No Trace Principles to minimise their impact in the precious natural world.
Other University Clubs and Societies that conduct wilderness and outdoor programs such as the Landcare Club, Bushwalking Club and the Avian Club (https://tuu.com.au/clubs-societies/a-z-societies/) are currently looking into formally integrating these principles in their activities.
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Examples of programs offered in the last three years include:
- SIPS (Sustainability Integration Program for Students) Fellows Wednesday Workshops (since 2018)
- Leadership Workshop for Sustainability (2019) for SIPS interns and fellows
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The Sustainability Integration Program for Students (SIPS) is an award winning program linking operational sustainability outcomes with student education and experience with two key aims:
1. To provide meaningful opportunities for students to apply their learning to real world sustainability challenges (and to be paid or gain course credit while doing so)
2. To assist the University of Tasmania to have a positive environmental impact on the world and to be a leader in sustainable campus management
There are lots of different ways for students to get involved, including SIPS Internships and Fellowships where students are employed as casual staff to develop and implement sustainability-focused projects. Other ways to get involved include: teacher directed in-class activities; student directed in-class assignments; research projects; placements (for curricular credit).
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
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.