| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.46 |
| Liaison | Margaret Bounds |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Connecticut College
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Margaret
Bounds Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
CC Divest is a student group working towards college divestment from fossil fuels. The group was successful in advocating for the Student Government Association to pass a resolution in support of divestment in Spring 2017.
Spokespeople is a student organization responsible for coordinating the CC-Cruiser bike sharing program and semester-long bike rentals. The CC Cruisers provide students with a daily bicycle "checkout" system and are available outside of the college library. Semester-long bike rentals are offered at the beginning of each semester.
Oceana is a student chapter of the international organization dedicated to marine conservation. Their policy campaigns range from curbing ocean pollution to promoting sustainable fishing. Past activities include: beach clean ups and restoration projects, film screenings, lectures by Oceana representatives and members of local nonprofits or organizations, fundraisers, panel events, a mock oil spill, and many other events!
Conn C.A.R.E.S. is an animal-rights organization. The purpose of this organization shall be to advocate on behalf of all non-human animals through education and reform by creating a safe-space community for those interested in ameliorating animal suffering and by providing resources for both living and sustaining a cruelty-free lifestyle.
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:
Sprout is a 1/4 acre student-run community garden supported by the Office of Sustainability. Produce from Sprout is sold at the student union on Fridays during the growing season and open work-days are available for anyone interested. In addition to produce, the garden also houses 6 hens. The mission statement of Sprout is "The Sprout Garden provides and educational space and community in which students, in collaboration with faculty and staff, can gain hands-on experience with sustainable, small-scale agriculture, integrate sustainable agriculture into the college curriculum, and build community around the planting, growing and consumption of ethically grown food.
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:
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 Sustainability Revolving Fund (SRF), was established in 2015 with $50,000 and the first project was completed in 2016. The SRF is overseen by a committee of students, faculty and staff who evaluate proposed projects based on their environmental impact and the length of payback.
The Sustainable Projects Fund (SPF) is dedicated to funding student-run sustainable projects on campus. Students pay a "green fee" of $25 per year into the fund which is overseen by the Student Government Association (SGA). Students wishing to use funds from the SPF write a proposal, which details how the projects supports the three pillars of sustainability, and a resolution which they propose to SGA. Funds are allocated by a 4/5 majority vote by the SGA. Information can be found here: https://www.conncoll.edu/sustainability/resources-/funding-opportunities/
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:
The Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment hosts biennial symposia focusing on environmental and sustainability topics. These symposia are open to all students as well as the general public. The 2017 symposium "Sustaining Pollinators" was held on February 25, 2017 and focused on current issues relating to bee populations.
The Student Sustainability Leadership Symposium is a symposium held annually that aims to address and speak about sustainability related issues and was hosted by Connecticut College in 2015. https://www.conncoll.edu/sustainability/2015-leadership-symposium/
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:
In April 2017, a week long series of screenings of the documentary Years of Living Dangerously was held on campus. The week culminated in a final screening and Q&A with the executive producers, Joel Bach and David Gelber.
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 Outdoors Club is a student run organization that plans and leads outdoors programs for other students. Several members have been trained on Leave No Trace principles and they strive to incorporate those principles into each outing.
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 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:
Earth House is Connecticut College's sustainable living residence. Each year, a small group of sophomores, juniors and seniors apply to live in Earth House as an alternative housing housing option. Earth House features a kitchen, living room and seven single rooms.
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 Office of Sustainability offers 6 paid student positions each year called Senior Sustainability Fellows. Each Senior Fellow oversees a team of other students focused on topics like Food Systems, Waste Minimization, Community Collaborations, and Campus Infrastructure. Senior Fellows are paid for up to 8 hours per week at a rate of 10.30/hr.
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:
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.