| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.46 |
| Liaison | Paul Mathisen |
| Submission Date | May 22, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Paul
Mathisen Dir. of Sustainability & Assoc. Prof Civil & Environmental Engineering |
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 aim of the program is to have a Sustainability Ambassador ( Eco-Rep) in each academic/administrative building/residence hall present to answer questions, publicize ways of being sustainable on campus, and run events. The eco-reps are currently focusing on waste minimization, recycling, water conservation, and energy conservation.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
Students volunteer (or are recruited) to serve as Sustainability Ambassadors, and the Sustainability Office then confirms them based on their participation in sustainability clubs and programs.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
Training is provided by Waste Management, Facilities Department, and Sustainability Office, as well as a group of Sustainability Interns whose focus is to develop the group of Sustainability Ambassadors provide training on current programs and initiatives as well as objectives.
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):
Financial support provided by sustainability office; Sustainability Ambassadors are provided with logo'd vests and incentive give-aways to build awareness. Supervision and oversight is provided by the Sustainability Office as well as by several Sustainability Interns whose role is to develop the Ambassadors program.
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):
Global Humanitarian Alliance is an organization devoted to enhancing diversity on campus through creating engaging "beAware" talks on campus as well as connecting people with project opportunities in Worcester. Recent talks included Hack for Venezuela and BeAware with Braza (Brazil)
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
The GHA is a club, and student volunteers are the educators or the organizers. They provide "beAware" programs on matters of sustainability topics, such as immigration, discrimination, and water resources.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
No formal training, they are knowledgeable of their topics through life experiences.
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):
The GHA is funded by the Student Government Association
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):
The Green team is a student club dedicated to promoting and increasing sustainability on campus. They hold events including waste audit, e-waste drive, retreats, food sustainability lectures, etc.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
Students volunteer to join the club. The club officers are elected by the membership in C Term.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
The officers do not require formal training; they are very knowledgeable about sustainability issues. The Office of Sustainability assists the officers with any tools or resources that they need to be more effective. The Sustainability Office invites Waste Management and other vendors to address the members as needed.
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):
Financial support and oversight is provided by Sustainability Office and the Student Government Association.
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:
Number served by each of these groups: 6874. Student educators are elected by student groups; student educators executives are knowledgeable in their fields; student educators are financially supported by the SGA. Veg Club, a group that promotes and supports students who seek a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle; Students for a Just and Stable Future, a group that raises awareness about sustainability issues that are political in nature. There are numerous other clubs including habitat for Humanity, Engineers without Borders, and the Greenhouse and Horticultural Club that all educate and engage students in sustainability themed activities.
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.