| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.83 |
| Liaison | C Jane Hagen |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Commonwealth University
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.37 / 4.00 |
Joseph
Costa Sustainability Projects and Program Coordinator Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
31,231
Total number of students enrolled for credit that are served (i.e. directly targeted) by a student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program (avoid double-counting to the extent feasible):
10,700
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
34.26
1st Program
Eco Reps
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
6,300
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:
The Virginia Commonwealth University Hall Council Eco-Rep program facilitates peer-to-peer education and provides leadership opportunities to students through engagement and service. The Eco-Rep program is dedicated to enhancing sustainability in residence halls and contributing to positive behavior change on campus. Eco-reps actively engage fellow students around sustainability issues such as resources consumption, waste management, and other environmental issues. This program serves as a platform for collaboration between students and administrators, provides a venue for students to express concerns and provides leadership opportunities for students.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
EcoReps are selected by an election process within their residence halls. Qualifications for selection include the ability to work independently and collectively, a strong interest in environmental sustainability, an interest in behavior changes surrounding sustainability, accountability and flexibility, and grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
Upon election, EcoReps attend a meet-and-greet during the first semester with the Office of Sustainability as well as a workshop with Office of Sustainability staff.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination):
Eco Reps receive financial and staff support from the VCU Office of Residential Life and Housing.
If reporting students served by additional peer-to-peer programs, provide:
2nd Program
Sustainability Office Interns
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
3,000
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
Sustainability office interns are students with an interest in sustainability who conduct regular campaigning events throughout the semester, focusing on how students can live sustainably on and off campus. Major events include Earth Day and Campus Sustainability Day. These interns provide support to the Office of sustainability throughout all its initiatives, through graphic design work, social media campaigns, and educational booths at all relevant student events. Ideally the work of these interns would reach the entire campus, but the direct impact of their efforts can be conservatively estimated at 3000 students.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
The interns apply to the Office of Sustainability and complete an interview process with the Director of Sustainability.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
The sustainability interns commit hours each week to being student educators and receive continual input and information from the sustainability staff.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (2nd program):
The Office of Sustainability acts as a support staff to this group and provides resources and funds wherever appropriate.
If reporting students served by three or more peer-to-peer programs, provide:
3rd Program
RamBikes
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
1,400
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
RamBikes is a student run service and education based resource for VCU students, staff, and faculty to work on their bikes, and to learn to perform bike maintenance. The RamBikes student workers fix bikes for free, teach you how to fix them on your own, hold group rides to educate students on sustainable transportation and bike safety, and conduct regular bicycle learning workshops for students and the community. RamBikes also run a free bike loan program for students.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
Students apply for the job posted on campus resource boards.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
Students are trained on the job by more senior students, as well as by our full time bike coordinator.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (3rd program):
RamBikes receives an annual budget from the university.
Additional Programs
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Optional Fields
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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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.