| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.40 |
| Liaison | Margaret Lo |
| Submission Date | June 12, 2023 |
Ball State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 2.00 |
Abby
Haworth Interim Director of Student Life Student Life |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
American Fisheries Society: This is a student subunit of the American Fisheries Society. Our purpose is to foster beneficial interactions between fisheries professionals, faculty members, and students. Throughout the year there will be various talks given by professionals in regards to current research and conservation efforts taking place in the field of fisheries. AFS also does various community service projects to help benefit local aquatic ecosystems!
Geological Society: Ball State's Geological Society concentrates on topics regarding the world on which we live and other planetary bodies.
Natural Resources and Environmental Management Club: This club is focused on providing students with educational, vocational, and recreational access to information about our natural resources. Events include volunteering, partnering with other clubs, hiking, and camping.
Emerging Green Builders: Emerging Green Builders (Affectionately known as EGB) is the official Ball State student chapter of the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). Our chapter promotes green design principles throughout the College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University, Muncie community, and the state of Indiana.
Student Action Team: Empowers and educates Ball State students through service and awareness events throughout campus.
Green Theatre Society: The purpose of the Green Theatre Society shall be to teach and encourage sustainable practice and environmental stewardship in the theatre.
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:
The student farm is a six acre field dedicated to high tunnel and outdoor bed production of over 179 varieties of produce (we do not qualify for organic labeling because it takes three years to work towards the label, but we do grow everything under organic standards in the hopes to one day obtain the label). That produce is grown and sold by students directly to consumers. Some years instead of selling directly to consumers we will grow starter plants and sell them through the on-campus plant sale which is orchestrated through the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse. We also work with 48 acres of tillable land on the property that is rented to a local farmer for soybean and corn production. During the off-season we grow cover crops to provide local farmers information on soil conservation. These activities, alongside various agriculturally inclined courses, allow students the opportunities to learn about the local food movement, sustainability initiatives, community gardening, conventional and sustainable farming, and how to make a difference.
Ball State's Student Government Association founded a new community garden in Fall 2019. Community Garden opened in Spring 2023. This campus garden provides space for students grow fresh produce on campus. Extra produce from the garden will be given to Cardinal Kitchen our on campus food bank.
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:
Allègre students of the Hospitality and Food Management Program (Department of Management) serve meals to the public each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for dinner in the Allègre Restaurant. Seating for dinner is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Allègre is a student ran restaurant that provides students with a unique experience of managing a restaurant. Each meal is a different theme which the students create.
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:
N/A
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:
The Ball State University Bracken Environmental Fund has been used to sponsor three major lectures for students, faculty, administrators, staff, and surrounding residents of the Muncie Community. They have included Thomas Friedman, J. Carl Ganter, Paul Hawken, Robert Kennedy Jr., Gus Speth, Sylvia Earle and Alexandra Cousteau. Jeff Corwin served as a lecturer and focused on awareness and education, Jeff drew on his world travels to enlighten with insights on the current state of environmental conservation efforts, emphasizing that the key to our own survival is the survival of the world’s creatures and ecosystems.
https://www.bsu.edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/cote/sustainability/bracken
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:
Ball State Greenhouse Arts Event occurred in April run by students for an academic course.
"Ball State Greenhouse Art Competition; Join us for the first annual Ball State Greenhouse Art Competition and Gala night on April 29, 2022. Voting will take place at the event and winners will be featured in future greenhouse marketing and advertising."
Instagram: @artsinthegreenhouse
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:
The Outdoor Pursuits Program includes a climbing wall, outdoor equipment rental and retail center, classroom, as well as trips programs and outdoor skills clinics and workshops, and an outdoor resource center.
Outdoor Pursuits Rental Center
Going outside and having fun sometimes requires a lot of expensive, specialized gear. Through the BSU Outdoor Rental Center BSU students have access to the equipment required for outings like backpacking, camping, canoeing, biking, and fly fishing.
Outdoor pursuits also offers a bike shop for students to fix personal bikes and a bike mechanic to make minor repairs and adjustments to student's bikes.
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:
N/A
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:
N/A
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
N/A
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):
N/A
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
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.