Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 36.77
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date Feb. 16, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Western Colorado University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Brooke Moran
Professor & Chair of the Sustainability Action Committee
Recreation & Outdoor Education
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
Yes or No
Active student groups focused on sustainability Yes
Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems Yes
Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes Yes
Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills Yes
Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles Yes
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences Yes
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution Yes
Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions No
Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives Yes

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
Organics Guild - garden and greenhouse care and education Sustainability Coalition - student club Sustainability Coordinators - paid grads and undergrad leadership roles Master in Environmental Management Forum - various sustainability topics for campus and broader community engagement

The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:
Student-run Organics Guild in charge of running campus greenhouse and garden. Contracts with Sodexo to sell herbs and greens, as well as summer weekly vending at local farmers' market.

The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
See above - Organics Guild

The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
Renewable Energy Revolving Fund built by students' voluntary contributions to Renewable Energy Fund. Student, faculty & staff oversight.

The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
Headwaters, Fall Forum, Spring Symposium, Master in Environmental Management Forum, upcoming Film Series, "What is Leadership?" Speaker Series inclusion of sustainability-oriented speakers.

The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
Headwaters Conference - sustainability-themed - always includes arts (e.g., poetry, music, prose, visual arts) as part of programming.

The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Wilderness Pursuits - student-led outing club Recreation and Outdoor Education academic program - Outdoor Leadership & Outdoor Environmental Education emphases require Leave No Trace Master Educator certificate and all field-based courses adhere to LNT principles

The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Headwaters 100 - First Year Seminar place-based education, service projects, etc. 2010-2011 Year of Sustainability

The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Sustainability Coordinators' educational programming (e.g., residence life curriculum, club fairs, energy and recycling campaigns)

The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
Student Sustainability Coordinators - addressed in previous sections

The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
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A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
N/A

The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
Coalition of Outdoor Educators' Symposium - participation and hosting spring 2016

The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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