Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.24
Liaison Lindsey Lyons
Submission Date April 30, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Dickinson College
IN-3: Innovation 3

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Neil Leary
Director
Center for Sustainability Education
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The Greater Carlisle Project, A Community-College Cross-Sector Collaboration

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

The Greater Carlisle Project (GCP) is a nonprofit association of people, organizations, churches, businesses, and local governments working together to improve the quality of life for all people in the communities of the Greater Carlisle Area. The GCP grew out of a series of meetings convened by Dickinson College beginning in 2012, and Dickinson College continues to play a prominent role as a member of the GCP steering committee and by providing administrative and logistical support. The approach of the GCP is to enhance long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of Carlisle Borough and surrounding communities by connecting and enhancing community assets, providing a forum for members of these communities to voice ideas for the future of our region, increasing the visibility of efforts and organizations that are making our communities more sustainable, collecting and sharing information, helping member organizations to locate and access resources, championing initiatives and projects, and celebrating successes.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

The GCP helped Mt Holly Springs to plan and implement a successful 'Jane Jacobs' walking audit that engaged community members in assessing local assets and developing recommendations for improvements. The assessment and recommendations have resulted in a successful grant application to Cumberland County.

GCP collaborated with West Side Neighbors Association to support planning and design activities to improve a local park with edible landscaping and natural features for creative play. Dickinson students were involved through a community-based research course, and GCP also assisted in recruiting volunteers for a park clean-up day and raising funds through social media.

GCP, working with Dickinson College, the local United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, and other sponsors, brought together 150+ community members for a workshop at Dickinson College on ending poverty. The GCP is now working with community leaders to implement follow-up actions to help create pathways out of poverty.

GCP is also working with a variety of groups on transportation, local food, urban redevelopment, and other challenges to the communities of our region.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement ---
Public Engagement Yes
Air & Climate Yes
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy Yes
Grounds ---
Purchasing ---
Transportation Yes
Waste ---
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work Yes
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
Poverty, access to food, health services, affordable housing, 'clean air, clean water, and green spaces'.

The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
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.