Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.54
Liaison Jay Price
Submission Date March 2, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Tennessee at Knoxville
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.14 / 4.00 Preston Jacobsen
Sustainability Manager
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution coordinate one or more ongoing student, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs that meet the criteria for this credit?:
Yes

Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
27,410

Name of the student educators program (1st program):
Eco-vols

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
7,213

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):

Eco-vols is peer-to-peer environmental education program within the residence halls aimed at reducing energy and water usage, increasing recycling, and promoting other sustainable living habits.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):

Any student that lives in an on-campus residence hall may participate in the Eco-vols. Those students that choose to participate are assigned to a residence hall to provide sustainability outreach and support.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):

Representatives from the Office of Sustainability and Recycling Office attend one of the first meetings each semester for training. This includes an overview of the program's purpose and expectations, an overview of campus energy and water conservation strategies, and a presentation on the campus recycling efforts.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):

The Eco-vols are supported by member dues collected each year. They also have the opportunity to apply for funding for projects and supplies from the SGA budget. Minor financial support may also be provided by the Office of Sustainability for sustainability outreach and education projects. The Sustainability Outreach Coordinator attends meetings to offer general support as well.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Vols Educating about Growing Gardens and Inspiring Environmentalism (Project V.E.G.G.I.E)

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
120

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):

Project V.E.G.G.I.E., which stands for Vols Educating about Growing Gardens and Inspiring Environmentalism, started as an idea among strangers and grew into a mission amid friends to give UT students the opportunity to cultivate their gardening skills, save money by growing their own food, and educate students about the advantages of working with nature and its devices. Members of Project V.E.G.G.I.E. learn how to manage a garden (if they don’t already know how), gain experience in growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more, have access to free fresh and natural fruits, vegetables, and flowers, build long-lasting friendships with people who have similar interests, and are a part of UT’s first ever main campus community garden.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):

The educators in the groups are mostly those who are studying on the Agriculture Campus but there are a few who are simply experienced gardeners that have the knowledge to pass onto other students.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):

The students gain practical knowledge of gardening by two of our professors that are involved with the club as well as former members.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):

The materials needed for the garden are often bought by the student "Green Fee" and the Office of Sustainability.


Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
452

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):

The club works to increase awareness of and seek creative solutions to local, regional, and national environmental issues. In the spirit of thinking globally and acting locally, we aim to build a community of leaders who act on stewardship and sustainability.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):

Many of the students are or once were part of a class taught by Dr. McKinney on campus. Almost all who take the class are also Sustainability majors.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):

The students receive basic knowledge on sustainability in the community and internationally on campus. The Office of Sustainability Outreach Coordinator also regularly attends meetings to give updates on initiatives on campus.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):

Outreach materials are regularly sponsored by the Office of Sustainability.


Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
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A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (all other programs):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (all other programs):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (all other programs):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
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The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.