Overall Rating	Silver - expired
Overall Score	52.49
Liaison	Caitlin McLennan
Submission Date	Nov. 1, 2016
Executive Letter	Download

STARS v2.1

Utah State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	2.00 / 2.00	Alexi Lamm Sustainability Coordinator Facilities

"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student Groups

Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:

Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:

Aggie Sustainability works with the Student Sustainability Office and Service Center to organize student activities on campus. SOSNR (Student Organization for Society and Natural Resources) works to bridge the gap between humans and the natural environment through service opportunities and other fun events! USU's SOSNR is the founding student chapter of the International Association for Society and Natural Resources.

The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):

http://sustainability.usu.edu/htm/getinvolved/students-for-sustainability

Gardens and Farms

Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects 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:

In 2008, professors and over thirty students began the USU Student Organic Farm, which provides a, “hands-on student laboratory for teaching students about best practices in organic farming and gardening." Students volunteer to plant and maintain the farm as well as sell produce. Through their work, students learn skills related to operating a successful market or backyard garden. Proceeds support the student farm and provide student stipends.

The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):

http://www.usu.edu/organicfarms/about.html

Student-Run Enterprises

Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:

Yes

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:

The Aggie Student Organic Farm aims to be as self sustaining as possible. Plant residues are recycled on the farm, compost is purchased from local sources, and external inputs are minimized. The farm follows the USDA Organic program rules on allowable inputs, and students sell the produce in full or half shares or on the patio of the student center.

The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):

http://www.usu.edu/organicfarms/produce.html

Sustainable Investment and Finance

Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:

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

N/A

The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):

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Events

Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:

Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:

Porter Fox, editor at Powder magazine and author of Deep: The Story of Skiing and the Future of Snow, spoke at USU in November 2014 about climate change and the ski industry to an audience of about 45. Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe spoke at two USU in March 2015 about faith and climate change to an audience of about 150. George Handley, BYU professor, spoke at the campus LDS Institute in a Fireside on Earth Stewardship with an attendance of approximately 400 people. Students are also able to attend the Intermountain Sustainability Summit at Weber State University free of charge in addition to numerous other events, films, and speaker series that include sustainability on occasion.

The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):

http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=50972

Cultural Arts

Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:

Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:

Research is delivering a clear message: little of humanity’s course, as currently imagined, is sustainable. However, we possess the knowledge we need to chart a new course. The Crossroads Project is a response to this reality, grounded in science, elevated by art, in service of genuine understanding, and determined to unlock a growing desire for meaningful response. ARTsySTEM also ran in the 2014-2015 school year with sustainability as a focus.

The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):

http://www.thecrossroadsproject.org/crossroads-at-usu.html

Wilderness and Outdoors Programs

Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:

Yes

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

The USU Outdoor Recreation Program is a non-profit organization that provides equipment and programs for students to experience the outdoors.

The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):

http://www.usu.edu/camprec/htm/orp

Sustainability-Related Themes

Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:

N/A

The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):

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Sustainable Life Skills

Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:

Yes

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

Housing introduced EcoHouse in 2014. Students can learn sustainable life skills in this section of campus housing.

The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):

http://www.usu.edu/housing/themehousing/lifestyles.cfm

Student Employment Opportunities

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

Yes

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

The Student Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Council, Student Organic Farm, and Aggie Blue Bikes AmeriCorps members are part of the Student Sustainability Corps. Utah Conservation Corps also offers internships. Additionally, some professors offer assistantships in areas of sustainability.

The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:

http://www.usu.edu/career/htm/career-aggie

Graduation Pledge

Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:

Yes

A brief description of the graduation pledges:

Students sign a pledge to, "explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work." They have the opportunity to commit online or at a graduation event.

The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):

http://www.sustainability.usu.edu/htm/gradpledge

Other Programs and Initiatives

Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:

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A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:

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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):

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Optional Fields

Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):

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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.