| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.92 |
| Liaison | Elisabeth Reed |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Illinois State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Elisabeth
Reed Director Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
| Yes or No | |
| Active student groups focused on sustainability | Yes |
| Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems | Yes |
| Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes | Yes |
| Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills | Yes |
| Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles | Yes |
| Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences | No |
| Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills | Yes |
| Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution | Yes |
| Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions | No |
| Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives | Yes |
The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
The Renewable Energy Society is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) which is focused on students advancing their knowledge in renewable energy and sustainability. The organization has events within the community that focus on these topics. The Office of Sustainability has workers that volunteer each semester on the development of sustainable practices at the university. The Solar Car Team is composed of students that wish to help build the ISU Solar Car which is raced every year in competitions. The Student Sustainability Fund is composed of students that decide which students on campus will get funding for sustainable projects that they propose to the board. The Student Environment Action Coalition (SEAC) is an RSO that works to protect the environment and the future of the community.
The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:
The university teaches its agriculture classes in The Ropp Agriculture Building. This building houses classrooms, a modern greenhouse, and laboratory space (Including facilities for nutrition, soils, agronomy, meat science, agricultural engineering technology, and horticulture). The University Farm is utilized extensively for teaching, research, and outreach activities. The Horticulture Center provides a focal point and support for horticultural instruction and scholarship for students and faculty.
The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
Students initiated an electronic repair business (ISU iRepair), and a self-sustaining apiary through which the students sell honey. (http://www2.phy.ilstu.edu/~wenning/ISUBKClub/)
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
ISU has a Student Sustainability Fund that allocated funds each year to students, faculty, and staff for one-time only projects through the agreed upon process.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
The Center for Renewable Energy hosts the Illinois Renewable Energy Conference every year. It features plenary session speakers of interest to all areas of renewable energy, plus breakout sessions in tracks on policy, technical information, and case studies for wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy.
Business Week is an annual panel of events put on by the College of Business. It includes a Corporate Social Responsibility Day and a keynote speaker on the topic of sustainability.
The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
The College of Fine Arts regularly hosts exhibits and performances addressing various issues related to sustainability. Their most recent photo series focuses on juvenile justice.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The Recreation Center has a set of programs called "Adventure Connection" that takes students on outdoor trips. There are 3-hour night hikes and stargazing, all-days trips such as day hiking or white-water rafting, or even a week-long paddling trip.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The Healthy You, Healthy Earth Wellness & Sustainability Fair is an annual program that includes presentations on how to improve both areas in your life, exhibitors from the university and town, prizes, and recycling collectors. The University's Health and Wellness Department offers CSA's, and many programs related to finances, culture, mental health, and healthy relationships.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
The Office of Sustainability hires interns and serves as the repository for employment opportunities in the sustainability field. Each of the departments has employer partners and career fairs which provide assistance to students in their particular field of interest. The Career Center and the Office of Sustainability assist students in preparing their resumes to reflect the skill sets that are characteristic of sustainability practitioners.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
Illinois State’s sustainability pledge was established to encourage members of the University community to take personal action in their daily lives that enhance the sustainability efforts on campus and in the community. It covers topics such as energy conservation, reduce/reuse/recycle, healthy lifestyle, and fiscal responsibility.
The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The goal of the Environmental Stewardship Award is to recognize campus groups and departments that are helping to further the University's sustainability mission as identified in Educating Illinois. Research projects, ongoing environmental education programs, individual efforts, and innovative program implementation are just a few of the efforts that are acceptable for recognition.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives 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.