Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.23
Liaison Jim Walker
Submission Date June 14, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Texas at Austin
AC-1: Academic Courses

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 6.83 / 14.00 Jim Walker
Director of Sustainability, Financial, and Administrative Services
University Operations
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the percentage of courses offered by the institution that are sustainability course offerings:
Undergraduate Graduate
Total number of courses offered by the institution 5,083 1,359
Number of sustainability courses offered 101 20
Number of courses offered that include sustainability 481 61

Percentage of courses that are sustainability course offerings:
10.29

Total number of academic departments (or the equivalent) that offer courses (at any level):
160

Number of academic departments (or the equivalent) that offer at least one sustainability course and/or course that includes sustainability (at any level):
65

Percentage of academic departments with sustainability course offerings:
40.63

A copy of the institution’s inventory of its sustainability course offerings and descriptions:
Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
One

A brief description of the methodology used to determine the total number of courses offered and to identify sustainability course offerings, including the definitions used and the process for reviewing and/or validating the course inventory :

All courses offered during the most recent semester prior to submission were obtained from the Registrar's office. A first iteration of course exclusions as allowed by STARS criteria was conducted. Courses suggesting a sustainability element (focused or included) were identified and reviewed based on course title and instructor. Based on institutional knowledge, courses without suggestive titles were also flagged, reviewed, and added to the course inventory where appropriate.

Below are some guiding questions provided to help determine if a particular course should be included in the academic courses inventory.
Does this course:
-- Aim to better understand and lessen the negative impact of human activity on earth?
-- Teach or research methods of reducing our ecological footprint?
-- Work toward the continued health and well-being of the planet and future generations?
-- Teach or research on increasing social equity, environmental justice, or responsible global citizenship?
-- Focus on improving the quality of all life on earth?


How were courses with multiple offerings or sections counted for the figures reported above?:
Each course was counted as a single course regardless of the number of offerings or sections

A brief description of how courses with multiple offerings or sections were counted (if different from the options outlined above):
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Are the following course types included in the inventory? :
Yes (included) or No (not included)
Internships No
Practicums No
Independent study No
Special topics No
Thesis / dissertation No
Clinical No
Physical education No
Performance arts No

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Number of academic departments determined when calculating sustainability courses.


Number of academic departments determined when calculating sustainability courses.

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.