Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.71
Liaison Alex Davis
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Arizona State University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.17 / 4.00 Betty Lombardo
Manager
University Sustainability Practices
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution coordinate one or more ongoing student, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs that meet the criteria for this credit?:
Yes

Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
72,385

Name of the student educators program (1st program):
University Sustainability Practices Program Assistants

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
6,000

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):

Program Assistants are responsible for creating, researching, and implementing sustainability projects on Arizona State University campuses in support of ASU’s sustainability goals: Climate Neutrality, Zero Waste (solid/water waste), Principled Practice, and Active Engagement. Projects can include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency, waste reduction and outreach. Program Assistants will also assist with research, planning and preparation for events and presentations for the department. Tasks to include, (but are not limited to): data mining, proposal drafting, attending strategic planning meetings, implementation plan writing, communication and marketing, giving sustainability initiative tours; as well as tasks related to the management and work flow of a small active office. Some work may occur on any of ASU’s four campuses. The Program Assistant reports to the Director of University Sustainability Practices.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):

Potential University Sustainability Practices interns are asked to submit resumes and then undergo a thorough interview process. The best candidates are chosen based on matched interest levels, compatibility and needs of the department.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):

All University Sustainability Practices Program Assistants go through Arizona State University's orientation and take all pertinent safety classes such as “driving on the mall” for vehicle use as needed. The Program Assistants also undergo a mentoring process with the Director of University Sustainability Practices and other staff members of the department. They meet weekly to set goals and track progress with the Director of University Sustainability Practices and their supervisor.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):

The Director of University Sustainability Practices provides oversight to the Program Assistants as needed. Each assistant is awarded a stipend each semester in addition to receiving staff support from three full time employees in the University Sustainability Practices department.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
School of Sustainability Student Ambassador Program

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
1,000

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):

The School of Sustainability Student Ambassador Program act as the face of the School of Sustainability by providing mentoring and support to their peers within SOS. Their job is to assist the School of Sustainability Student Services Center with student engagement and community development programs and events. They also provide one-on-one mentorship and interaction with current and incoming SOS students by helping to guide their peers by sharing their ASU experiences and sustainability knowledge. Being an Ambassador provides our student leaders with the opportunity to develop more personal relationships with staff, faculty, employers and their peer within SOS as they help grow student engagement within SOS and develop close relationships with those also interested in sustainability and an interest in helping and mentoring others.

Some past programs include: Networking Mocktail, LinkedIn: What you need to know, ASU Green Game, Sustainability Broomball (students were invited to participate in broomball and then talked to the rink re: making the place more energy efficient), Arizona Recycles: Volunteer at Goodwill, 2013 Camp SOS, Fall Welcome, Family Weekend, Phoenix Career Conference, ASU Day at the Capitol, More to Explore Student Panel, New Student Orientation, New Transfer Orientation, Night of the Open Door, SOS Open House, and participate in numerous recruiting events in which area high school students visit ASU in order to learn about SOS.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):

Undergraduates currently in the School of Sustainability must apply for these positions. They must be at least a sophomore standing during appointment. They must have a strong desire to help and mentor others and possess strong written and oral communication skills. They must have a desire to help their peers navigate ASU and succeed in their major. Ambassadors must also have a willingness to learn and understand advising, counseling, and outreach functions for the School of Sustainability.

If interested they must apply by submitting a cover letter with their name, academic level, GPA and why they would like to be an Ambassador and what they think they can contribute to the program; current sustainability involvement within and outside of SOS along with any professional or networking experience they would like us to be aware of.

Prospective Ambassadors are chosen through group interview process.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):

All Ambassadors are required to attend formal training one week prior to classes beginning in the fall semester. It is during this time that we discuss expectations and begin developing programs for the upcoming year. The Director of Student Services also provides them with training regarding academic programs and office roles and responsibilities. Our Student Recruitment/Retention Specialist also presents and discusses strategies for recruitment events. This year we also had a presentation/learning opportunity regarding the zero waste program at ASU. The student ambassadors are also required to attend weekly leadership classes in which they are given assignments to help them become or tap into their leadership potential in order to cultivate a more student-centric community within the School of Sustainability.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):

This program is financed through the School of Sustainability.


Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Campus Student Sustainability Initiatives: CSSI

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
5,000

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):

Officers are voted in during Spring each year. Lead officers of various groups on campus may apply. Applicants are reviewed by the core Campus Student Sustainability Initiative's management team and vetted for relevance and overlapping campus sustainability missions. Other students are involved on a volunteer basis.

The Campus Student Sustainability Initiatives (CSSI) is the leading Undergraduate Student Government organization on campus that focuses on identifying sustainability challenges and leading campus initiatives and events in order to advance ASU’s sustainability goals. CSSI works to maintain good connections with both the students and the administration of the University to provide opportunities across campus for sustainability improvements. Examples include the installation of water refill stations in the Tempe campus Memorial Union and the installation of air compressors for bicyclists to use to inflate flat tires.

Events, when held by CSSI, are either fun social events or are meant to spread the word and educate students about sustainability issues. CSSI specifically leads the planning process for Sustainability Passport, Campus Sustainability Day, and Earth Week each year. https://www.facebook.com/CSSIatASU

The Green Team, composed of CSSI students and other students passionate about sustainability, focuses on improving recycling at events and working towards achieving “zero waste.” Before the event takes place, they work with event planners to minimize the waste at an event and to ensure that the waste stream is recyclable. At the events, Green Team members talk to attendees to educate them about what can be recycled and to show that recycling is actually extremely simple.

An accomplishment includes the Fall 2013 Family Weekend Zero Waste Initiative which diverted 98% of event waste from the landfill to composting, recycling, and TerraCycle. The Green Team focuses on small and large student run events.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):

Once approved, new students attend a group orientation led by a CSSI student leaders. The new students can select from the following areas of interest (projects, business administration, engagement or initiatives) then work with the student leader that manages the area.

Green team members are selected from ASU's energetic, engaged students who are passionate about zero waste events.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):

Once approved, new students attend a group orientation led by a CSSI student leaders. The new students can select from the following areas of interest (projects, business administration, engagement or initiatives) then work with the student leader that manages the area.

Green team members must attend regular update meetings, pre-event briefings and on-site training. Training is fairly minimal as their task and mission are straight forward: to advocate for recycling at major events and reduce contamination levels in the recycling and compost stream.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):

The Manager of Recycling provides oversight to the center as needed. Other financial support comes in the form of budget requests the Registered Student Organizations make to student government in support of their work/projects.


Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
Zero Waste Student Ambassadors

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
9,257

A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (all other programs):

Zero Waste Ambassadors carry out campus engagement related to sustainability practices to reducing waste on the ASU campus by:
1. Recruiting members to be trained about ASU’s Zero Waste initiative;
2. Develop interesting, compelling means to deliver the Zero Waste message to ASU stakeholders;
3. Assure that Zero Waste Ambassadors that are knowledgeable about recycling and composting facts;
4. Participate at tailgating events, football games, basketball games, the Homecoming Block Party and other ASU events;
5. Document work done and invoices for work that was carried out;
6. Work on other projects related to ASU campus sustainability efforts, as mutually agreed.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (all other programs):

The Zero Waste Ambassadors are selected from Arizona State University's Outlaw Comedy group that exists to gather college students together for comedy events that connect them with each other and local communities of faith.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (all other programs):

Zero Waste Ambassadors receive guidance and instruction from the Director of University Sustainability Practices. Members must attend pre-event briefings and on-site training. Sometime transportation of recyclables and compostables is required and these logistics are covered in pre event briefings.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):

The Director and Manager of University Sustainability Practices provides oversight to the Zero Waste Ambassadors. The Zero Waste Ambassadors are provided with funding for 1300 hours worked during the academic year along with t-shirts, lanyard badges, water bottles and training materials for all events covered.


Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
4,500

The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.