| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.23 |
| Liaison | Keaton Schrank |
| Submission Date | Aug. 15, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Westminster University - Utah
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Kerry
Case Environmental Director Environmental Center |
Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
Total number of students enrolled for credit that are served (i.e. directly targeted) by a student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program (avoid double-counting to the extent feasible):
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
Name of the student educators program:
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:
The Westminster Environmental Center selects 3-4 students to be employed on campus as Sustainability Fellows. These students work with the Environmental Center Director to promote widespread peer engagement and student learning about sustainability. Using a community based social marketing model, these students promote widespread behavior change to reduce Westminster's environmental impact. Fellows are paid as student employees. Examples of campus wide peer-to-peer programs from the last two years include a sustainable eating initiative and a #WasteFreeWestminster effort that included both structural changes on campus and peer-to-peer outreach and education. These efforts target (but do not reach) the entire student population.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
Student apply through the college's student employment application system, and the Westminster Environmental Center Director chooses Sustainability Fellows from a pool of applicants.
Desired Qualifications include:
-Commitment to improving Westminster's campus sustainability
-Excellent written and communication skills
-Success working with peers
-Desire to learn more about effective methods for institutionalizing sustainability
Campus Sustainability Fellows submit a cover letter and resume in the spring prior to the upcoming school year, or in the fall at the start of a new school year. The position is open to all undergraduate students.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
Campus Sustainability fellows work in the Environmental Center and receive ongoing mentoring from the Environmental Center Director in weekly meetings. Fellows receive formal training in community based social marketing, communications, outreach, diversity, and sustainability. They also participate in monthly staff training sessions hosted in conjunction with other centers on campus.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination):
Sustainability fellows are paid hourly as student employees of the college. Projects are funded through the Environmental Center budget or by small grants the center awards.
Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
The Westminster College Eco-Reps are a collaborative group of residential students who help make Westminster a more sustainable campus by educating their fellow residents about ways to live more environmentally-conscious lifestyles. The EcoReps lead their assigned halls in the annual Residence Hall Energy Challenge, offer recycling education and programming, assist with collection of reusable goods at move out, and develop educational programs of their own.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
EcoReps are student employees hired through the Environmental Center. Applicants apply through the normal student employment application procedures and are selected based on qualifications and availability.
Qualifications include:
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Ability to see projects through to completion
- Ability to learn information about environmental topics and relate that information to your peers
- Enthusiastic about environmental and social issues
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
Eco-team members are trained by Environmental Center staff and learn basic sustainability information and effective outreach tactics. They are also invited to participate in monthly employee training sessions held in conjunction with other centers on campus.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (2nd program):
Eco-Reps are paid hourly as student employees of the college. All other program costs are funded by the Environmental Center budget.
Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
As part of the student-led #WasteFreeWestminster program, students offer three workshops per year specifically designed to help their peers live more waste-free lives. Workshops are taught by current students and/or alums.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
Student leaders are employees of the Environmental Center (Waste Minimization Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator). They are selected via the usual student employment process described above.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
As student employees in the Environmental Center, they participate in staff training on topics including effective communication. The student leaders also meet weekly with EC director who provides guidance and resources on this an other topics.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (3rd program):
Funding is through EC budget, Ty Harrison Fund, and student government's green fee.
A brief description of all other student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs, including the number of students served and how student educators are selected, trained, and supported by the institution:
Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually (all programs):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.