Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.19
Liaison Christina Erickson
Submission Date June 6, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Champlain College
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.37 / 4.00 Christina Erickson
Sustainability Director
Campus Planning
"---" 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:
3,124

Name of the student educators program (1st program):
Eco-Reps Program

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
1,073

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

Eco-Reps are peer educators living in college residence halls that model environmentally responsible living behaviors and conduct education and outreach to fellow residents. Eco-Reps are trained and coordinated by the Sustainability Director who connects them to appropriate campus personnel and resources. Eco-Rep activities are generally focused within the residential areas of campus, but can extend to broader campus issues when most applicable. Eco-Reps also act as the additional "eyes & ears" regarding the physical operations of the buildings and alert Physical Plant staff if necessary.

Eco-Reps meet with the Sustainability Director on a weekly basis. Each month has a theme and related events & activities. Students are provided with related resources and a to-do list for the month. Throughout the year, students participate in trainings that include team-building exercises and program orientation, among other activities.

Activity Examples:
-Set up a bulletin board in their residence hall and post information
-Collaborate with residential life staff on res. hall programming opportunities, such as the annual Kill-A-Watt Challenge
-Collaborate with Peer Advisors to organize LEAD approved activities
-Conduct audits of the waste bins in their building
-Be a resource person for students in the residence hall
-Promote the Green Room Certification Program
-Act as "eyes & ears" regarding res. hall operations and report accordingly to Physical Plant staff
-Conduct energy audits of appliances in residence halls
-Conduct surveys about ecological issues
-Attend meetings to plan activities and provide feedback to the Sustainability Director
-Assist with waste reduction activities at move in/move out
-Set up and staff environmental information tables and exhibits
-Go on tours of local sites such as Green Mountain Compost and the Material Recovery Facility
-Participate in Sustain Champlain committees
-Develop programs and projects related to their interests


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

Eco-Reps must apply for the position by filling out an application which also asks for a resume and references. A brief interview is held with chosen applicants.

Time Commitment:
Eco-Reps commit an average of 4 hours/week including a 1-hour meetings on most Mondays (3:30-5pm). Much of their work is done independently, on their own schedule. There will be requests for participation in occasional group events and training opportunities.

Qualifications:
Effective communication skills (through a variety of means)
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Ability to see projects through to completion
Ability to learn information about environmental topics and relate that information to their peers
Enthusiastic, engaging individuals who are passionate about environmental and social issues
Students who can be held accountable for their work
Creativity and fun

What’s in it for Eco-Reps:
-$9.80/hour for four hours of work per week. (Students do not have to be Work Study eligible, but they can use this position as a Work Study Job.)
-Professional development, leadership, and peer education skills
-Knowledge of environmental and social topics
-The experience of working with other passionate students


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

Eco-Reps are trained and coordinated by the Sustainability Director who connects them to appropriate campus personnel and resources.

Student Eco-Reps will meet with Sustainability Director on a weekly basis. Each month will have a theme and related events & activities. Students will be provided related resources and to-do list for the month.

Themes: Recycling & Composting; Energy; Food; Transportation; Water; Conscious Consumption; Environmental Health & Justice

Training/Professional Development Topics: How to host an event; Effective Communication; Community Based Social Marketing; Time Management for Student Leaders; Collaborations across campus

Week 1: discuss topic, brainstorm activities
Week 2: campus manager/speaker relevant to topic; receive to-do list
Week 3: follow up on to-do list activities & events
Week 4: professional development speaker/workshop; to-do list due; next topic given to Eco-Reps

Throughout the year, student Eco-Reps will participate in a trainings that include: team-building exercises, program orientation, among other activities.


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

Eco-Reps are paid $9.80 an hour which comes from the Physical Plant budget and the Work Study budget. They are supported with programming funds and staffing from the Sustainability Director, Christina Erickson, and her office, Sustain Champlain.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
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Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
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Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
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A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (all other programs):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (all other programs):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (all other programs):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
1,920

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

Used total # of undergraduate, non-online students for # of degree-seeking students.
Total # students served - average between fall & spring residential students.


Used total # of undergraduate, non-online students for # of degree-seeking students.
Total # students served - average between fall & spring residential students.

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.