| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.47 |
| Liaison | Ken Foster |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2021 |
Vassar College
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Cora
Kenfield Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student groups
Yes
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The Vassar Greens pursue environmental and social justice through action-based campaigns that create lasting change (from their mission statement).
Vassar Animal Rights Coalition works to promote a cruelty-free diet on campus and in the Poughkeepsie Community. They are best known for their promotion of Meatless Mondays; a pledge to forego meat products on Mondays.
SEED, Students for Equitable Environmental Decisions launched in the 2017/18 school year to serve as an activist hub for the college's carbon neutrality efforts.
Vassar Animal Rights Coalition works to promote a cruelty-free diet on campus and in the Poughkeepsie Community. They are best known for their promotion of Meatless Mondays; a pledge to forego meat products on Mondays.
SEED, Students for Equitable Environmental Decisions launched in the 2017/18 school year to serve as an activist hub for the college's carbon neutrality efforts.
Gardens and farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
Vassar Experimental Garden (VEG) was started March 2009 by a group students interested in learning to grow their own food and share gardening skills and information. The V.E.G. is organized through the ResLife office and is designed as a cooperative for students and non-students within the Vassar Community.
Student-run enterprises
Yes
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Vassar Food CoOp is a student organized CSA that has a weekly on-campus pickup for milk, cheese and produce. The students manage membership, farmer outreach, and CSA-share distribution each week.
Challah for Hunger is a student run group and is a local chapter of the national organization. Student bake and sell challah every week to raise money for causes that actively promote social justice. From the the national website: ""For all the volunteers and many of the customers, Challah for Hunger provides opportunities to be involved in a fun and dedicated community, address humanitarian problems, develop and practice new skills like baking and marketing, gain business and leadership experience, engage in traditions of challah and tzedakah, become involved in advocacy and other forms of activism, and more."
Challah for Hunger is a student run group and is a local chapter of the national organization. Student bake and sell challah every week to raise money for causes that actively promote social justice. From the the national website: ""For all the volunteers and many of the customers, Challah for Hunger provides opportunities to be involved in a fun and dedicated community, address humanitarian problems, develop and practice new skills like baking and marketing, gain business and leadership experience, engage in traditions of challah and tzedakah, become involved in advocacy and other forms of activism, and more."
Sustainable investment and finance
No
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
In October 2015, David Orr gave a campus lecture on "Going to Montana" and how sustainability is a journey we must embark upon.
In February 2016, Rob Phocas '91, the Sustainability Manager of the City of Charlotte, North Carolina gave a lecture ""Where do we go from here: Building Smart Cities” on the use of technology and data collection to promote sustainability initiatives.
In November 2016 Hunter Lovins, professor at Bard MBA in Sustainability and sustainable business leader, discussed “Building an Economy in Service of Life.""
In March 2017, the Office of Sustainability hosted a career panel on careers in sustainability with Vassar alumnae/i.
In February 2016, Rob Phocas '91, the Sustainability Manager of the City of Charlotte, North Carolina gave a lecture ""Where do we go from here: Building Smart Cities” on the use of technology and data collection to promote sustainability initiatives.
In November 2016 Hunter Lovins, professor at Bard MBA in Sustainability and sustainable business leader, discussed “Building an Economy in Service of Life.""
In March 2017, the Office of Sustainability hosted a career panel on careers in sustainability with Vassar alumnae/i.
Cultural arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability hosted a movie screening of "The True Cost" on the environmental impacts of the fast fashion industry, bringing together various student groups and increasing awareness of global sustainability. A clothing exchange was held afterward.
In Fall 2016, the Collaborative Arts Across Disciplines initiative hosted an Artist-in-Residence to create art and poetry on trees around campus.
In Fall 2016, the Collaborative Arts Across Disciplines initiative hosted an Artist-in-Residence to create art and poetry on trees around campus.
Wilderness and outdoors programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Vassar College Outing Club is a student governed organization that aims to stimulate low-impact participation in and appreciation for the outdoors, while offering trained, reliable, and safe outdoor leadership, knowledge and equipment for the community without financial discrimination.
Sustainability-focused themes
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
In the Fall of 2016, the common reading for the first year class was "The Wildlife of Our Bodies" by Rob Dunn. From the book jacket, "We are trapped in bodies that evolved to deal with the dependable presence of hundreds of other species. As Dunn reveals, our modern disconnect from the web of life has resulted in unprecedented effects that immunologists, evolutionary biologists, psychologists, and other scientists are only beginning to understand. Diabetes, autism, allergies, many anxiety disorders, autoimmune diseases, and even tooth, jaw, and vision problems are increasingly plaguing bodies that have been removed from the ecological context in which they existed for millennia." The book and the related campus lecture explored our relationship with nature and how that relationship has changed and evolved over millions of years.
Sustainable life skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
"Vassar has a number of cooperative living arrangements, formally and informally known as: Ferry Haus, Meat Haus, and Other Haus. Ferry Haus are vegetarian or vegan and both emphasize cooperative sustainable living by practicing composting and making and sharing group meals.
Student employment opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Through the Field Work Office, students may participate in internships with local environmental organizations including Riverkeeper, Clearwater, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Scenic Hudson, and Sprout Creek Farm.
The Career Development Office hosts Sophomore Career Connections annually, a 2 day workshop for second year students to learn networking and discover potential career paths. There is a dedicated track for students interested in sustainability and environmental careers.
The Career Development Office hosts Sophomore Career Connections annually, a 2 day workshop for second year students to learn networking and discover potential career paths. There is a dedicated track for students interested in sustainability and environmental careers.
Graduation pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
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Optional Fields
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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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