Valparaiso University
EN-3: Student Life
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Reporter |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Earthtones - Earthtones is Valparaiso University’s environmental organization devoted to protecting the environment and promoting comprehensive conservation both on and off campus. Our members are committed to both measurable progress and planting seeds in others by raising awareness of environmental issues. Earthtones gives those that are environmentally conscious a safe place to voice their concerns, creatively solve problems, and enjoy the beauty of the environment.
Chi Epsilon Pi - meteorological honor society
Society of Women Engineers - international engineering society for professional and collegiate members that promotes and encourages women in the engineering workplace.
Tau Beta Pi - engineering honor society
Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team (VUSIT) - forecasting exercises, weather events
Voices for Animals - animal rights issues
Biology Club - student led club oriented around biological fields such as invasive species removal, field research, fundraising for Malaria Day, participating in stream restorations, etc.
Working Across Vocations Everywhere through Service (WAVES) - WAVES is a service-based organization consisting of university students committed to collaborating with underdeveloped communities to design and implement sustainable projects in order to improve their quality of life. Guided by faculty and professional mentors, students employ engineering, nursing, business, education, and science skills to develop solutions that not only solve immediate problems but that remain viable after the projects have been completed. Their most recent project has been to install solar-powered water pumps in a village in Nicaragua.
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
There is a community garden on campus that students, faculty and staff can own a plot and garden on their plot.
https://www.valpo.edu/facilities-management/energy-and-sustainability/get-involved/campus-gardens/
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
(1) A current College of Business International Business student created an App while studying in Germany last summer (2022) and continues to hone it today. “The Aware App” has been designed to promote sustainability squarely. “Aware” will track transportation and production activity through the apps and installations on one’s electronic device. This includes: transportation apps (Delta, Uber, Lyft, etc.), food apps (Grubhub, Doordash, UberEats, etc.), and shopping habits (Amazon, Shein, Etsy, etc). As its creator explains, “The only way CO2 emissions will be reduced is through communities. That is why Aware will bring communities together through a simple messaging and social platform built within the app. Corporations and schools of all sizes will have the opportunity to purchase a premium bundle that allows them to set up private group communities to track and offer incentives to their employees or students based on their weekly success of reducing emissions. The goal is to partner with a company like VirginPulse that rewards one’s achievements with points that eventually ends with monetary gifts such as gift cards or money off groceries. Aware will be built to change how people live their daily lives and one cannot change if they don’t know how. This is why Aware will also be a manual for those who want to change and start small. Articles will be posted through the premium version of the app, gaining one access to learn sustainability tips; for example, how one can lower electric bills and get money back from the government by installing solar panels on their home or business. Aware is in the developing stage with the business plan and materials complete. New team members are currently being reviewed for a programming and data analytics position.”
(2) EV Ryde (evryde.com) is a new business formed by a College of Business recent graduate that is an on-demand, 24 hour, electric taxi for Valparaiso University students to transverse campus and the City of Valparaiso. The business concept - and is now a going concern - is predicated on "sustainable inner-city travel". it was featured in September 2022 in a regional newspaper article, found at https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/electric-vehicle-taxi-service-rolling-out-in-valparaiso/article_6f7a5e6a-f313-59c4-8db0-c37570d0d034.html
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
1. Earthtones puts on a Environmental Conference for the whole university to attend.
2. Great Lakes Meteorology Conference 2022, 2023 https://blogs.valpo.edu/nwiamsnwa/great-lakes-meteorology-conference/
3. Earth Week, Earth Day, Earth Month- The office of sustainability will host and promote a variety of events for the celebration of Earth Day. A campus-wide email is sent to everyone about all the different events they can participate in for Earth Day. There has been vendor fairs, education talks, clean-ups and more! https://www.valpo.edu/facilities-management/sustainability/upcoming-events/
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
The Valparaiso University International Student Association (VISA), working with International Programs, puts on a yearly banquet and talent show called World Banquet. From delicious and exotic cuisine to talented musicians and dancers, this event will transport you to cultures far away from Valparaiso, Indiana! Food Bazzar was Sept 24, 2023 and World Banquet Feb 4, 2023 https://www.valpo.edu/international/world-banquet-highlights/
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Green Your Dorm Room is a program that students helps students make their dorm room sustainable. Students learn how plants can help air quality, using LED lights helps with energy efficiency, using bar soap and shampoo bar helps with reducing plastic. https://www.valpo.edu/facilities-management/sustainability/get-involved/green-your-dorm/
2. Each year the residential halls compete in the Campus Conservation Competition. Students learn ways how to reduce water and electricity. Learning these tips now will help them when they have to pay rent or own a house. They will understand how to save money on utilities from these tips.
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
1. Facilities Management offers employment opportunities for students interested in energy and sustainability. Students conduct energy audits, assist on energy conservation projects, complete inventory for greenhouse gases, energy competitions, etc. They also work with waste reduction, sustainability run events, earth day, campus garden and more. https://www.valpo.edu/facilities-management/sustainability/about-us/staff/
2. James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility- offers employment for students to conduct solar energy research.
3. The chemistry department was awarded the National Science Foundation grant which studies the long-term fate of microplastics in our environment. The grant pays for student interns. https://www.valpo.edu/news/2022/10/03/a-big-grant-to-tackle-a-microscopic-problem/
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Day of Caring is help every year where students help the Valparaiso community in service projects. Over 300 volunteers helped over 19 different community organizations. Volunteers participated in a wide variety of activities, ranging from removing debris and clearing walking trails at Gabis Arboretum to taking care of animals at Lakeshore Paws.
http://www.valpotorch.com/features/article_9bc54eb8-5f08-11ed-9d40-d7965b208a20.html
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.