| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.78 |
| Liaison | Amber Saxton |
| Submission Date | Sept. 9, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
George Mason University
IN-4: Innovation 4
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Margaret
Lo University Sustainability Director Sustainability |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
At George Mason University a specific emphasis has been placed on integrating academics with sustainable operations. With universities acting as a kind of microcosm of society, this makes them great examples for sustainable operations, and great places for students to learn how to live more sustainability.
During the last few years, students have logged thousands of internship and service learning hours on sustainability related projects on campus, conducting solid waste audits, launching a green office certification program, replanting areas of campus, categorizing purchases from dining, and various other initiatives. These hands-on experiences have been joint efforts between offices across campus and the academic units. These experiences have taught students valuable skills for when they enter the labor force.
Mason's Patriot Green Fund (PGF) has provided a constant source of funding for student groups and class teams to help with student led initiatives. The PGF committee has a student majority and gives students the opportunity to choose which projects to receive funding and allows students to gain experience with reviewing grants and project management.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Faculty members collaborate with each other to create a continuous learning plan across classes, across semesters, and across different cohorts of students. These efforts to integrate sustainability operations with academics showcase Mason’s university-wide commitment to providing students with learning opportunities that are experiential, authentic, and in many cases, transformative. Additionally, Mason's campuses have benefitted from infrastructure improvements such as the installation of apiaries, solar outdoor tables, rain gardens, recycling centers, and more.
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 | Yes |
| Research | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | --- |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data is for FY14
Data is for FY14
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.