Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 57.01
Liaison Meghna Tare
Submission Date April 3, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Texas at Arlington
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 2.00 Bhargavi Jeyarajah
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Yes

Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:

1) Mavs Go Green https://mavorgs.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/mavs-go-green
Description: a student group with a mission to encourage students, staff and faculty to make environmentally friendly decisions in their daily lives and raise awareness about environmental issues in our community and around the world.

2) United Nations Association Chapter (UNA Mavs)
Description: UNA community chapters consist of active leaders and members campuses who are passionate about taking action for the UN in their local community https://mavorgs.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/unamavs

3) Food Recovery Network Chapter- Food Recovery Network is the largest student-led movement fighting food waste and working to end hunger in America https://sustainability.uta.edu/campus-initiatives/dining-services/

4) Environmental Science Club
Description: The Environmental Science Club invites guest speakers, participates in volunteer events (on and off campus), seeks to promote sustainable practices on campus, and provides a social space for Environmental Science students. https://mavorgs.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/environmental-science

5) Eco-Reps
Description: The Eco-Reps is a group of student volunteers that work to create and foster a more sustainability-focused community at UTA. They are trained and advised by Office of Sustainability Staff. https://sustainability.uta.edu/outreach-and-education/

6) Animal Club
Description: The Animal Club is a student organization that promotes environmental education and awareness. https://mavorgs.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/animal

7) United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Chapter
Description: The USGBC aims to foster scientific study and research in the architecture field of environmentally sustainable building, and operation of buildings. https://mavorgs.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/usgbc


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:

The Community Garden at UT Arlington Campus supports the University’s commitment to sustainability and preserving green space. The garden offers a place where all people can gain ideas for their own gardens, volunteer, or just sit, relax and enjoy the gardens. The 0.5 acre garden is located at UTA Blvd and Summit (next to the SWEET center).

The garden enriches our learning about the natural world, and educates our community about sustainable choices. The community garden also compliments the UT Arlington compost site and incorporates rainwater harvesting techniques to promote water conservation.


Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
No

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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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?:
No

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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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?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:

The Mavs Go Green hosted a World Water Day Symposium (March 2021) where students heard from Dustan Compton, the Conservation Manager of Tarrant Regional Water District, and Dr. Cory Forbes, Associate Professor of Science Education at the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Water Conservation.

The Office of Sustainability also hosted a virtual tour of the Compost Facility (April 2021) on campus where John Darling, the Campus Composter, shared why composting is important and tips on composting. https://youtu.be/An5I0q4qgRM

UT Arlington also hosts Mavericks Speaker Series where speakers like Michael Pollan and Jane Goodall have been invited
https://www.uta.edu/maverickspeakers/speakers.php


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:

The Office of Sustainability and Mavs Go Green co-hosted an art competition/installation for World Water Day in 2021 (March 2021). They also hosted a similar art competition for Campus Sustainability Month (October 2021). They will continue to host these competitions and display the entries twice a year.

The Mavs Go Green also hosted a terracotta pot-painting event for students to decorate pots and de-stress from the stress of finals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVD3weEllP5/


Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:

The OOS and UTA Environmental Club (student organization) organized a Hike and Trash Clean up at Crystal Canyon Natural Area

The Mavs Go Green organized a park clean up at a local park.

https://events.uta.edu/event/hike_and_trash_clean_up_at_crystal_canyon_natural_area#.YdTwDxPMJ6c

https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-kW6ulSas/


Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

1. UTA hosts tour of the composting program to educate and train the student on composting. We also host training sessions at the Community Garden on how to start an organic garden, and build rain barrels.

2. UTA Libraries' Experiential Learning and Outreach department hosts various workshops throughout the year and some of these include a workshop on Vermiculture, Vegan Cooking Classes, Sewing/Repairing Clothes, Building a Vertical Garden, and so much more. https://libraries.uta.edu/about/dept/elo


Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

We have hired students to help with:

1) Electronic Waste Recycling program
2) Sustainable Cities Challenge GSA ( Graduate Student Assistant)
3) GSA to help with developing GHG inventory
4) GSA to help with STARS reporting


Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:

The Leadership Honors Program is a flexible leadership development program that emphasizes and facilitates involvement on-campus and leadership growth.

The program ensures that students have a comprehensive leadership experience that prepares them to be ethical, global-minded leaders.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Leadership Honors Program is a self-paced, four-tiered program, which helps facilitate your involvement at UTA and allows you to make the most of your college experience. By following the curriculum of the program, students stay in the know regarding key events and programs on campus that enable them to become well-rounded individuals, personally and professionally in leadership development. The Leadership Honors Program promotes a student’s success as they progress through each tier of the program within their time at the University. The program is a great add-on to any other organizational involvement, as most activities done with other student or department organizations can be transferred for credit in the Leadership Honors Program as well.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE LEADERSHIP HONORS PROGRAM?
Work with a Student Director to develop an individualized leadership plan
Access to leadership skills training and activities with other members
Receive updates on upcoming events around campus
Graduate with Leadership Honors regalia

The other student events that we have hosted that didn't quite fit into either category are:

Winter Holiday Food Drive
Pumpkin Composting Drive
Electronic Waste Recycling Event For America Recycles Day
World Food Day 2021
Campus Sustainability Month


Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.