| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.26 |
| Liaison | Caitlin McLennan |
| Submission Date | Oct. 10, 2022 |
Utah State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Alexi
Lamm Sustainability Coordinator Facilities |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
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 education, activism, and service opportunities.
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?:
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.
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The Student Organic Farm is USDA certified, provides instruction to students on organic and sustainable food systems, and operates a Community Supported Agriculture program. Students to acquire skills critical to creating a successful market or backyard garden. Anyone interested in sustainable food systems can register in the associated class, PSC 4900, for instruction from USU soil scientist Dr. Jennifer Reeve and small farms outreach extension specialist Dr. Melanie Stock. The farm’s produce is sold on campus every week, as well as through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. All proceeds support the student farm, providing for operating expenses, equipment purchases and modest student stipends.
https://www.nal.usda.gov/legacy/afsic/edtr/utah-state-university-student-organic-farm
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?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
N/A
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?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
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?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Students composed a chamber opera entitled, "A Storm We Call Progress." It follows the environmental discovery of a young woman. It was performed in October 2020. https://astormwecallprogress.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/a-storm-we-call-program-notes.pdf
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
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. Trips follow Leave No Trace principles.
https://www.usu.edu/campusrec/outdoor/trips-policies
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
N/A
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Housing introduced EcoHouse in 2014. This themed housing provides training and resources to help students improve their peers' and their own sustainable living practices. Students that choose to live here have the unprecedented opportunity to help reshape the policies and procedures that impact the residential carbon footprint on-campus. USU students in campus housing have never had a greater opportunity to live, learn, and grow together on the campus of Utah State University. Past students have hosted vegetarian week events and hosted movie screenings with sustainability themes.
Perks of living in EcoHouse include:
- Dual-flush toilets
- Low-flow showerheads
- Energy-efficient lighting
- Close location to area composter
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
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.
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
Students have the option to 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.
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.