Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison James Norman
Submission Date Nov. 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Virginia Theological Seminary
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Joshua Paget
Student
Stanability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:

Cultivate VTS:
Cultivate VTS organizes student-led initiatives for sustainability. Currently the projects include: vegetable, herb, and "you-pick" flower gardens, Beehives, Tree planting,
Composting of kitchen waste from on-campus residential apartments.


The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
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Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects 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:

The VTS campus has 8 small gardens. Each garden is a student-led initiative.


The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
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Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
No

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:

"The Flamingo" is a student-run coffee cafe on campus. The cafe trains student employees and customers to recycle and compost their waste. The cafe also recycles and composts coffee grounds in bulk. The management purchases eco-friendly cups, stirrers, and tea.


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
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Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives 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:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
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Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:

Cultivate VTS and the VTS Mission Society have hosted a variety of presentations and speakers based on sustainability practices on-campus and across the world.


The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
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Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
No

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:

We do not have any arts programming related to sustainability.


The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
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Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
No

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
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The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
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Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
No

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
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Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

VTS students have the opportunity to seek employment working to decrease the environmental impact on campus. Gather VTS information related to environmental assessments with certification organizations, and coordinate staff, faculty, and student data contributions. Work with Associate Dean to convene and facilitate meetings for solar installation proposals and plans.Serve as CCE student liaison with Cultivate VTS, and other seminary-based green initiative groups. Develop partnerships with regional green/sustainability networks and organizations. Develop stories and information for VTS sustainability webpage. Work with CCE office in seeking and writing grants. Support other work of CCE office as needed from time to time
Additionally there is grant funding opportunities for students to create or continue sustainable practices on campus.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
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Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledges:

No. There is no formal pledge as part of graduation.


The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
No

A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
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Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
15

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.