Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.94
Liaison Nathan King
Submission Date Dec. 19, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Virginia Tech
AC-1: Academic Courses

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 13.35 / 14.00 John Randolph
Professor Emeritus
Urban Affairs and Planning
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Figures required to calculate the percentage of courses offered by the institution that are sustainability course offerings:
Undergraduate Graduate
Total number of courses offered by the institution 2,963 1,807
Number of sustainability courses offered 324 201
Number of courses offered that include sustainability 214 137

Percentage of courses that are sustainability course offerings:
18.36

Total number of academic departments (or the equivalent) that offer courses (at any level):
71

Number of academic departments (or the equivalent) that offer at least one sustainability course and/or course that includes sustainability (at any level):
64

Percentage of academic departments with sustainability course offerings:
90.14

A copy of the institution’s inventory of its sustainability course offerings and descriptions:
Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
One

A brief description of the methodology used to determine the total number of courses offered and to identify sustainability course offerings, including the definitions used and the process for reviewing and/or validating the course inventory :

NOTE: In the attached excel, there are three tabs--undergraduate courses, graduate courses, and departments.

Use of 2016-2017 Undergraduate Course Catalog and Academic Policies (http://www.undergradcatalog.registrar.vt.edu/1617/course-descriptions.html) and the Graduate Catalog 2016-2017 (https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/graduate_catalog/programs.htm) along with the Virginia Tech definition of sustainability as dictated by the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment (VTCAC) in order to determine what courses are sustainability focused and sustainability related.

According to the VTCAC (http://facilities.vt.edu/content/dam/facilities_vt_edu/sustainability/climate-action-commitment.pdf ) we define sustainability as follows:

Sustainability Definition:
Sustainability is the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social justice and equity, through action, education, and engagement to address current needs without compromising the capacity and needs of future generations.

Sustainability Vision:
Virginia Tech serves as a model community for a sustainable society. Sustainability is an integral part of the fabric of the university as it pursues enhanced economic stability and affordability, diversity and inclusion, environmental stewardship, expansion of knowledge, and education of future leaders.

Sustainability Mission:
The pursuit of sustainability is achieved through Virginia Tech's administration; physical environment and operations; student life and experience; campus culture and behavior; and academic learning, discovery, and engagement.


How were courses with multiple offerings or sections counted for the figures reported above?:
Each course was counted as a single course regardless of the number of offerings or sections

A brief description of how courses with multiple offerings or sections were counted (if different from the options outlined above):
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Are the following course types included in the inventory? :
Yes (included) or No (not included)
Internships No
Practicums No
Independent study No
Special topics No
Thesis / dissertation No
Clinical No
Physical education Yes
Performance arts Yes

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.