| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.44 |
| Liaison | Mike Wilson |
| Submission Date | Jan. 29, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Victoria
IN-3: Innovation 3
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The course ES 200 (Introduction to Environmental Studies) is required to be taken by all undergraduate students taking a major or minor program, or a general program, in the School of Environmental Studies. It introduces students to the concepts of ethnoecology, political ecology and ecological restoration through the unique lens of food security issues. With over 550 students taking the course each year, it is considered the largest food-focused course at any university or college in Canada.
Students come away with an appreciation of the sources and character of environmental problems and some of the analytical tools and contexts necessary to respond to them. Many students consider this course to be "transformative" and likely accounts for the fact that the number one sustainability issue students are concerned with on campus are those related to food - growing food on campus, permaculture skills, seed saving, local/organic/ethical food purchasing, GMOs, and hosting local food markets on campus. Since 2005, the course has inspired thousands of young activists and scholars to take action on climate change and other sustainability and social justice issues through their interest and knowledge of food security.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Since 2005, over 550 UVic students have taken this course each academic year. Many students consider this course to be "transformative" and likely accounts for the fact that the number one sustainability issue students are concerned with on campus are those related to food - growing food on campus, permaculture skills, seed saving, local/organic/ethical food purchasing, and hosting local food markets on campus.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | Yes |
| Research | No |
| Campus Engagement | No |
| Public Engagement | No |
| Air & Climate | No |
| Buildings | No |
| Dining Services | No |
| Energy | No |
| Grounds | No |
| Purchasing | No |
| Transportation | No |
| Waste | No |
| Water | No |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | No |
| Diversity & Affordability | No |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | No |
| Investment | No |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
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.