Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.15
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date April 8, 2022

STARS v2.2

Western Colorado University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Ashley Woolman
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Majors, degrees and certificate programs

Does the institution offer at least one ​sustainability-focused​ major, degree, or certificate program for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
Environment and Sustainability

A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
Environment & Sustainability students learn to understand ecological systems, analyze the environmental and social impacts of societies, and experiment with sustainable solutions to those impacts. The ENVS program prepares students for meaningful livelihoods based on their values. Our graduates enter their fields with the skills to connect ideas, individuals and organizations. They become effective interdisciplinary communicators, and they enact positive change throughout their natural and social communities. To complement their Environment & Sustainability degree, students can choose an emphasis, including Climate Action Planning, Food Systems, Public Lands Management, Water Studies, or an Individualized Contract.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:

Additional degree programs (optional) 

Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Business Administration and Environment & Sustainability

None
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
The Outdoor Environmental Education major (housed in the Recreation and Outdoor Education program) prepares students to lead groups in the "side country" and backcountry, while providing opportunities for groups to learn about the natural world, leadership, and the human-environment interface through direct experience. Issues of social, economic, and environmental sustainability are addressed in this course of study.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Business Administration and Environment & Sustainability

None
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility have become the gold standard for many modern businesses, non-profits and B corps. This double major will open up opportunities to a variety of meaningful positions including chief sustainability officer, human resources and community partnerships.

Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
None
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
Western offers accelerated degree programs with an undergraduate and masters degree program (also known as a 3+2 program). Areas of study include the M.S. in Ecology and Master in Environmental Management accelerated programs.
https://western.edu/program/mem3plus2/
https://western.edu/program/ecology3plus2/

Minors and concentrations

Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors or concentrations for undergraduate students?:
Yes

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration:
Environmental Science

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Environmental science integrates physical, biological and information sciences to find solutions to the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Graduates enter their careers or graduate school with technical research skills and an enhanced understanding of environmental issues.
The Environmental Science minor is a great way to round out your degree with a stronger, more diverse scientific emphasis in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, math and environmental management. Through our connections to natural resource agencies, field trips and internship opportunities, you’ll develop a wide range of technical research skills and a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues. When you graduate, you’ll be well-prepared for a wide range of in-demand careers as an environmental scientist, lawyer, engineer or conservationist.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:

Additional minors and concentrations (optional) 

Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
Recreation & Outdoor Education

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
Outdoor educators have the power to make a difference in the environment, the lives of at-risk youth and anyone who finds solace in the wilderness. At Western Colorado University, world-class adventures in the Rocky Mountains will challenge and train you to become a seasoned outdoor leader.
Recreation & Outdoor Education (ROE) is about creating opportunities for people to live healthy, engaged and happy lives. In the program, you’ll acquire the managerial, technical, interpersonal and leadership skills, required of a successful professional in the billion-dollar outdoor industry. Located in the magnificent Gunnison Valley, Western’s ROE program combines a tightknit classroom environment with world-class field experiences for students to turn their passion for the outdoors into rewarding careers with organizations like Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School and the National Park Service.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
Environment & Sustainability

A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
A deep understanding of environmental issues and a passion to find innovative solutions will open doors to meaningful careers in education, climate change policy and environmental science. Learn the skills and science behind solving the most pressing environmental issues of today and in the future.

In the Environment & Sustainability (ENVS) program, you’ll study the structure and function of natural systems; examine how social, political and economic activity impacts those systems; and experiment with resilient solutions to unsustainable human impacts.

Through comprehensive coursework and hands-on experience, the ENVS program will prepare you for a meaningful career fueled by your passion and natural interests. Upon graduating, you’ll be an effective interdisciplinary communicator with the skills and knowledge to lead environmental and sustainability efforts anywhere.

Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors and concentrations:
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Optional Fields  

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information and URL's gathered spring 2022

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.