| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.15 |
| Liaison | Ashley Woolman |
| Submission Date | April 8, 2022 |
Western Colorado University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ashley
Woolman Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student groups
Yes
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
LEAD Sustainability, students hired by the university to work on sustainability specific projects. LEAD Sustainability manages the Freecycle program, the Rocket Composter, hosts Earth Day celebrations, and provides education and outreach on environmental issues like recycling.
Sustainability Action Committee, a committee of faculty, staff, and students that oversee larger infrastructure projects, sustainability funding mechanisms, and campus-wide outreach and education efforts.
Organics Guild (OG), a food-focused student interest group that provides access to free student produce, hosts internships, positions, volunteer opportunities, and workshops to help students gain gardening experience.
GreenFaith, a new student club which will focus on tying the spiritual aspect of people’s lives to the environment, facilitating open discussions and providing space for people to engage with each other around faith.
Sustainability Coalition, recently revived student club focusing its efforts on environmental education and kickstarting in-dorm composting efforts.
Western Solar Society: solar education and implementation group that completes projects like solarizing Habitat for Humanity houses, installing trial solar-powered lights on campus, and analyzing Kelley Hall solar energy efficiency monitoring.
Sustainability Action Committee, a committee of faculty, staff, and students that oversee larger infrastructure projects, sustainability funding mechanisms, and campus-wide outreach and education efforts.
Organics Guild (OG), a food-focused student interest group that provides access to free student produce, hosts internships, positions, volunteer opportunities, and workshops to help students gain gardening experience.
GreenFaith, a new student club which will focus on tying the spiritual aspect of people’s lives to the environment, facilitating open discussions and providing space for people to engage with each other around faith.
Sustainability Coalition, recently revived student club focusing its efforts on environmental education and kickstarting in-dorm composting efforts.
Western Solar Society: solar education and implementation group that completes projects like solarizing Habitat for Humanity houses, installing trial solar-powered lights on campus, and analyzing Kelley Hall solar energy efficiency monitoring.
Gardens and farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The student-run Organics Guild is in charge of running the campus greenhouse and garden. The club sells fresh produce at the weekly summer/fall local farmers market in Gunnison and contracts with Sodexo to sell fresh herbs and greens. The Organics Guild also partners with two local farms: Thistle Whistle Far and Calder Farm to provide a CSA to Western students, faculty, and staff.
https://western.edu/clubs-orgs/organics-guild/
https://western.edu/clubs-orgs/organics-guild/
Student-run enterprises
Yes
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
See above - the Organics Guild sells fresh produce at the local farmers market and offers a CSA in partnership with two local farms: Thistle Whistle Far and Calder Farm.
Sustainable investment and finance
Yes
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
The Renewable Energy Fund is used for Western to invest in renewable energy initiatives. Initially these funds were used to purchase renewable energy credits, though it has now generated a reserve large enough so that it Western can invest in solar. The fee is optional for undergraduates ($15/semester) and it generates approximately $15,000 per year.
The Sustainability Fund provides Western students access to the financial resources needed to initiate projects that meet one or more of the following goals: support Western’s use of more sustainable and renewable energy,
reduce unnecessary consumption of goods, increase reuse of usable goods and recycling of materials, promote the ethical stewardship of all resources and land on the Western Colorado University campus, and/or actively address issues of environmental justice. Full-time students are assessed $5.75/semester for campus sustainability. The revenue generated from this fee is approximately $18,000 per academic year.
The Sustainability Fund provides Western students access to the financial resources needed to initiate projects that meet one or more of the following goals: support Western’s use of more sustainable and renewable energy,
reduce unnecessary consumption of goods, increase reuse of usable goods and recycling of materials, promote the ethical stewardship of all resources and land on the Western Colorado University campus, and/or actively address issues of environmental justice. Full-time students are assessed $5.75/semester for campus sustainability. The revenue generated from this fee is approximately $18,000 per academic year.
Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
The Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability hosts many events throughout the year for students including: Headwaters Conference, Fall Forum, Spring Symposium, Master in Environmental Management Forum, International Mountain Day, and many speaker series.
The LEAD Sustainability club puts on multiple events throughout the year including the Sustainable Film Series and Earth Week.
The LEAD Sustainability club puts on multiple events throughout the year including the Sustainable Film Series and Earth Week.
Cultural arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
The fall Headwaters Conference, which is sustainability-themed always includes arts (e.g., poetry, music, prose, visual arts) as part of programming. Earth Week also includes various arts (visual, music).
Wilderness and outdoors programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Wilderness Pursuits, a student-led outdoor recreation club offers gear rentals, workshops, and trips that adhere and teach LNT principles.
The 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 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.
Sustainability-focused themes
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Headwaters 100 - First Year Seminar place-based education, service projects, etc.
Sustainable life skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The LEAD Sustainability Coordinators' educational programming (e.g., residence life curriculum, club fairs, energy and recycling campaigns)
Student employment opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The LEAD Sustainability Coordinators - addressed in previous sections
The Recycling Crew (through the Facilities department)
Fellowships for graduate students researching sustainability topics
Teaching Assistant positions are offered for sustainability courses
The Recycling Crew (through the Facilities department)
Fellowships for graduate students researching sustainability topics
Teaching Assistant positions are offered for sustainability courses
Graduation pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
N/A
Optional Fields
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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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