| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Amy Spark |
| Submission Date | April 5, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bow Valley College
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Students are invited to participate in BVC Green, our campus committee focused on promoting sustainability on campus. This committee is composed of staff, faculty, contractors, and students. The reason we consider it a 'club' more than a committee, is students are not appointed or voted to represent, but rather join (and leave) whenever they wish.
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects 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 website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Every November, students host an Arts and Crafts Fair. Vendors must be Bow Valley College students or alumni. All items must be locally handmade in the Calgary area. No commercial, imported, or wholesale items will be allowed. Mass produced goods of any kind are not allowed (ex. sunglasses, imitation products, etc.). Student vendors receive all of the funds made.
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives 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:
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
In conjunction with Learner Success Services, we offer several workshops and speaker series per year related to sustainability. Sometimes these workshops showcase internal expertise (academic or support staff), while other times we bring in an external organization or expert. In 2017, we hosted an EcoFair (inviting external vendors related to sustainability), had presentations by Green Calgary and the Arusha Centre, and had a presentation on sustainable consumption by an Instructor in the Chiu School of Business.
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
For the past two years, Bow Valley College has hosted artist Miguel Barros' work on climate change and environmental issues. For example, to celebrate Earth Day 2018, Miguel will be showcasing his work 'Transparency' about glacial melting. Along with Miguel being present to answer student questions, members from the BVC Green team, Intercultural Centre, Iniikokkan Aboriginal Centre, and International Education have collaborated to bring this event together and showcase Indigenous perspectives of climate change.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The winter semester of 2018 (January - April 2018) has been themed as "Global Citizenship", with a particular focus on climate change, by the Intercultural Centre on campus.
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Students can participate in workshops through Learner Success Services, some of which are sustainability-focused and some of which are sustainable life skills (ex: use of green cleaners, waste diversion at home, cycling skills, etc.)
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
Students who volunteer with our sustainability committee, BVC Green, receive credits on their co-curricular record. As well, each year students volunteer offsite at nonprofit organizations in the city through our BVC Cares program. Some nonprofits students have volunteered with in the past have an environmental mandate, like Grow Calgary or Green Calgary.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
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.