| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 55.88 |
| Liaison | Jim Walker |
| Submission Date | April 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Texas at Austin
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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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
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Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
52,186
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Name of the student educators program (1st program):
University of Texas Campus Environmental Center
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
52,186
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):
The UT CEC is a sponsored student organization within Facilities Support Services. Each semester the CEC hires 12-28 student leaders to conduct various types of outreach activities to different student groups on campus. Student leaders work on a variety of projects, all of which center around peer-to-peer outreach activities. Activities include: educating tailgaters about recycling through the Tailgate Recycling Program, educating Greek life about living sustainably and hosting sustainable events through the Green Greeks program, educating and conducting outreach to other student organizations about sustainable events through the Green Events consulting service, engaging with students using a variety of social media outlets to include green tips and information on outlets such as the newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter, and creating green lifestyle tip boards on Pinterest, hosting events to educate and engage students in campus sustainability and sustainability in general including America Recycles Day, Campus Sustainability Day, and Earth Day.
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):
Student leaders are selected through an online application and interview process. Many students have volunteered with the CEC or held prior positions in the CEC, though some student leaders have not held previous positions on campus. Students are hired for one year terms and are hired for specific positions/projects rather than an umbrella sustainability internship.
The UT-CEC leaders have established themselves as the go-to organization for collaboration with the administration and Student Government. One of the two co-directors is traditionally named as the environmental issues chairperson for Student Government, and both sit as the only undergraduate student representatives on the President's Sustainability Steering Committee. The CEC maintains a specific peer-to-peer outreach aspect as part of its tri-fold mission of collaboration, education, and transformation.
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):
The CEC provides introductory training for all incoming student leaders each semester as well as update training periodically throughout the year. Student leaders participate both individually and as a group in training provided by the University to develop job skills and learn how to conduct outreach. It also provides funding for students to attend national and regional sustainability conferences such as AASHE, Smart and Sustainable Campus Conference, SXSW Eco, and the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability conference.
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):
The CEC is funded by student fees and other money from fundraising. The institution funds a full-time advisor and also offers support from the Zero Waste Coordinator and Director of Sustainability. The organization itself is sponsored by the University.
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Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Green Corps
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
52,186
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
The DHFS Green Corps provides experiential educational opportunities for students to learn about food systems and sustainability, particularly through growing and preparing local produce. Green Corps students are responsible for running two on-campus organic gardens and assisting in DHFS sustainability projects. Green Corps student workers were involved in a DHFS plate-waste study, building a record-breaking cardboard fort to raise recycling awareness, and other UT projects. They were also responsible for planting and harvesting at the two DHFS gardens, and then preparing that produce to be used in UT dining facilities.
Green Corps mission: The DHFS Green Corps Program is a multifaceted program developed around 3 pillars: Grow, Serve, Learn. These pillars are enlisted in every single action we take on and every project we develop. It is through our experiences we grow our world view, serve our community, and learn new things every day.
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
Green Corps student workers are selected based on their eagerness to learn about environmental sustainability in general and gardening in particular. Some experience or demonstrated commitment to environmentalism is preferred but not mandatory. Green Corps student workers are also chosen based on their ability to complement team efforts on a diverse range of tasks.
As approved by URHA in 2005, each Residence Hall Council has an Eco-Rep position written into its bylaws. The position is appointed by the hall president in a manner of his/her choosing. While some halls are filling this position and conducting environmental education and outreach, others have not acted on the position. The Division of Housing and Food Service and the UT Campus Environmental Center are currently working together to make the Eco-Reps program more viable and active, based on this existing approved structure.
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
A one-day orientation launched our first semester in operations, and Green Corps student workers are continually trained on gardening, large and small-scale topics in environmentalism, and UT specific sustainability endeavors. Monthly field trips to local farms and other places of interest also contribute to Green Corps training. These efforts are largely student-driven, as experiential learning is the primary goal.
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
Each Green Corps student is a paid student employee of the Division of Housing and Food Service for the University of Texas. The students are not only supported financially through their hourly earnings, but also in means of materials i.e. – uniforms, gardening tools, educational materials, and other items to help enrich their time as a Green Crops student. Students are also invited to attend certain conferences, workshops, or events where much of the costs are covered by the division.
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Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
---
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
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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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None
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:
5,350
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The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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.