| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.85 |
| Liaison | Andrea Trimble |
| Submission Date | Feb. 8, 2024 |
University of Virginia
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.47 / 4.00 |
Lela
Garner Sustainability Coordinator Office for Sustainability |
Number of students enrolled for credit:
Total number of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program:
Name of the student educators program (1st program):
A brief description of the student educators program (1st program):
The UVA Sustainability Advocates (SA) Program has a clear mission: to establish a connection between the Office for Sustainability and the student body, utilizing innovative ideas and projects to impart knowledge, empower students, and cultivate sustainable lifestyle changes. Volunteers in the SA Program gain insights into energy & water conservation, recycling, and other eco-friendly practices. They actively promote these initiatives university-wide, serving as a valuable information source for peers and contributing to the development of a community committed to environmental stewardship.
SAs are pivotal in peer-to-peer education, playing a significant role in weekly meetings held throughout the year. Various events, such as vegetarian cooking classes, BYOMug tabling events, and community garden workdays, exemplify the program's diverse engagement approach.
At the beginning of each semester, Sustainability Advocates undergo an orientation that familiarizes participants with UVA's sustainability framework. This includes a review of the university's sustainability plan and an exploration of current programs, fostering an understanding of effective engagement strategies. Additionally, SAs actively participate in bi-weekly workshops aimed at enhancing their skills in areas such as effective tabling and discussing sustainability and climate change in an accessible manner.
Overall, the UVA Sustainability Advocates Program effectively combines education, community building, and practical engagement to promote a culture of sustainability within the university.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (1st program):
Sustainability Advocates (SAs) actively engage all undergraduate students on campus through consistent tabling, outreach events, and online communications.
Number of trained student educators (1st program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (1st program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (1st program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (1st program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (1st program):
Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
A brief description of the student educators program (2nd program):
The Zero Waste Ambassadors team actively contributes to UVA's waste reduction goal through hands-on peer-to-peer engagement and waste sorting initiatives. Students take on the responsibility of monitoring public compost bins across Grounds, in addition to organizing frequent tabling sessions and events aimed at educating their peers on best practices for waste reduction.
At the start of each semester, all participants undergo formal training to gain insights into sustainability at UVA, stay informed about waste diversion initiatives, and learn compost best practices.
During these tabling sessions, participants often incorporate interactive waste sorting games to enhance their peers' understanding and help them avoid contamination at waste stations. This multifaceted approach ensures that the Zero Waste Ambassadors team actively contributes to the university's sustainability objectives while fostering awareness and behavior change among students.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (2nd program):
The Zero Waste Ambassadors target students, staff, and faculty that frequent campus.
Number of trained student educators (2nd program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (2nd program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (2nd program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (2nd program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (2nd program):
Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
A brief description of the student educators program (3rd program):
Sustainability Student Employees are dedicated to integrating sustainability into the fabric of the University community. Operating in teams, these students focus on five pivotal areas: outreach, waste minimization, green living, service learning, and equity & environment. Through a range of events and programs, they collaborate to coordinate and communicate the University’s sustainability initiatives, enlightening their peers about ways to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle. Notable current programs include the Sustainability Advocates, Zero Waste Ambassadors, Eco-Leaders, Green Games, Corner Cleanups and more.
To equip themselves for this role, Sustainability Student Employees undergo an extensive day-long training session that delves into the intricacies of sustainability on Grounds. The training covers a spectrum of topics, from event planning and effective communication to best practices for community building. This comprehensive preparation ensures that Sustainability Student Employees are well-equipped to effectively contribute to and communicate the University's sustainability goals.
A brief description of the student educators program’s target audience (3rd program):
Sustainability Student Employees (SSEs) focus on engaging the entire student body on Grounds, placing a particular emphasis on the undergraduate population. Numerous events and programs fostered by SSEs also include community partnerships and are open to the public.
Number of trained student educators (3rd program):
Number of weeks the student educators program is active annually (3rd program):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per trained student educator (3rd program):
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (3rd program):
Website URL where information about the student educators program is available (3rd program):
A brief description of all other student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs:
The Office for Sustainability's Eco-Leaders program is centered around professional development, volunteer experiences, sustainable behaviors and educational opportunities for first year and transfer students living on Grounds. Working with the Office for Sustainability, students have the opportunity to advance their sustainability knowledge and connect with faculty.
Number of trained student educators (all other programs):
Number of weeks, on average, the student educators programs are active annually (all other programs):
Average or expected number of hours worked weekly per student educator (all other programs) :
Total number of hours worked annually by trained student educators (all other programs):
Grand total number of hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators (all programs):
Hours worked annually by trained student sustainability educators per student served by a peer-to-peer program:
Website URL where information about the student sustainability educators programs is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UVA's Sustainability Student Employees manage the leadership programs (Sustainability Advocates, Zero Waste Ambassadors, and Eco-Leaders) and there are no overlapping individuals across these programs.
The 18,000 number is calculated based on:
Through our Green Living (SSE) program we engage close to 100% of first-years through Orientation sessions, Welcome Week programming, Eco-Leaders, and Sustainability Workshop programming. The Green Living team also collaborates with the HRL community to create a list of sustainability talking points that are shared by RAs to ALL students during move-in week.
Through our Balloon Brigade (SSE) initiative, we engage close to 100% of graduating fourth years and/or graduate students. With consistent communication via emails and newsletters, and through our physical presence during the graduation ceremonies, all graduates engage with sustainability student programming if they have not already.
Lastly, through our Green Games (SSE) initiative, dozens of student volunteers (from ZWAs, SLs, and ELs) engage their peers at all home football games and four home basketball games during the season. Sustainability volunteers staff waste stations, help students sort their waste, and teach peers about waste reduction best practices. Thus, our values are based on the assumption that 75% of students attend at least one basketball game during the season.
UVA's Sustainability Student Employees manage the leadership programs (Sustainability Advocates, Zero Waste Ambassadors, and Eco-Leaders) and there are no overlapping individuals across these programs.
The 18,000 number is calculated based on:
Through our Green Living (SSE) program we engage close to 100% of first-years through Orientation sessions, Welcome Week programming, Eco-Leaders, and Sustainability Workshop programming. The Green Living team also collaborates with the HRL community to create a list of sustainability talking points that are shared by RAs to ALL students during move-in week.
Through our Balloon Brigade (SSE) initiative, we engage close to 100% of graduating fourth years and/or graduate students. With consistent communication via emails and newsletters, and through our physical presence during the graduation ceremonies, all graduates engage with sustainability student programming if they have not already.
Lastly, through our Green Games (SSE) initiative, dozens of student volunteers (from ZWAs, SLs, and ELs) engage their peers at all home football games and four home basketball games during the season. Sustainability volunteers staff waste stations, help students sort their waste, and teach peers about waste reduction best practices. Thus, our values are based on the assumption that 75% of students attend at least one basketball game during the season.
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.