Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.70
Liaison Caitlin McLennan
Submission Date Oct. 31, 2019

STARS v2.2

Utah State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Alexi Lamm
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Student groups 

Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Yes

Name and a brief description of the 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.

Gardens and farms 

Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project 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.

Student-run enterprises 

Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
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.

Sustainable investment and finance 

Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
No

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

Events 

Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
The Religious Studies Department arranged a one-day God and Smog conference in October 2018.
The Anthropocene Working group planned a one-day conference in April 2019.
The Student Sustainability Office plans a Meatless Monday February Film Series every year.
This year USU hosted the Food Summit for higher education institutions in the state. The summit focused on food recovery efforts.

Cultural arts 

Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on 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.

Students organized and performed a piece on plastic in the ocean in spring 2019. Students are currently composing an opera focusing on environmental topics.

Wilderness and outdoors programs 

Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Outdoor Programs provides adventure and discovery to USU students. Through non-motorized recreational opportunities, students are connected to their local and regional environment while learning how to recreate responsibly on public lands. Students are encouraged to test their own real or perceived psychological and physical limitations while building relationships with each other in dynamic outdoor environments. This exposure is facilitated through programmed trips, access to outdoor equipment, and courses in outdoor skills and leadership.

Sustainability-focused themes 

Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
No

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

Sustainable life skills 

Does the institution have a program 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.

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.

Graduation pledge

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

A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
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.

Optional Fields

A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
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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.