Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.88
Liaison Joanne Wong
Submission Date May 31, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Mills College
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Nicole Gaetjens
Sustainability Coordinator
Campus Facilities
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Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:

Earth CORPS: The Community Organized to Respect, Protect, and Sustain the Earth. Earth CORPS has a strong track record at Mills, including an annual Earth Week, successfully leading the effort for the dining hall to go trayless, implementing a compost program in the residence halls, and supporting the creation of the Re-Use Depot.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:

The Mills Community Farm is managed by a full-time Farm Manager. Students have a number of avenues through which to gain sustainable agriculture experience and training at the farm on topics such as composting, irrigation, etc. This includes regular volunteer hours, student internships, and coursework, including a farm class taught by the Farm Manager..


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)?:
No

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
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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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:

Teams of students, including at least one undergraduate student, can apply for Green for Green funding for campus sustainability projects. These project applications are reviewed by, and funded by, the Associated Students of Mills College (student government).


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:

Mills College hosts an annual, student-organized Earth Week in April. Events throughout the week provide students with the opportunity to hear influential speakers, learn about natural design principles, participate in hands-on activities, and meet community partners. Every year has a unique flavor and presents a variety of opportunities to engage.

The Mills Center for Socially Responsible Business hosts an annual all-day conference in collaboration with Mills Net Impact. The conference will include multiple keynote presentations, speaker panels, and opportunities for networking.


The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
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Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:

Founded in 1925, the Mills College Art Museum is a forum for exploring art and ideas and a laboratory for contemporary art practices. Through innovative exhibitions, programs, and collections, the museum engages and inspires the intellectual and creative life of the Mills community as well as the diverse audiences of the Bay Area and beyond. Many themes that encompass social justice and sustainability are presented in the art and dance of the museum.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:

Recreational excursions provide Mills College students with opportunities to take fun trips off campus to experience some of the amazing sites and activities that northern California has to offer. Past excursions include: hiking, horseback riding, whale watching, kayaking, and rock climbing. Students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and guests are welcome to participate on a space-available basis. Leave No Trace principles are included as part of the safety talks before launching.


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)?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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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?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

Larsen House is a sustainable co-op located close to the center of campus. The students living in Larsen share house duties and decision making, and work to raise awareness around environmental issues through campus-wide programs and events. Sustainable living skills are developed through collective decision-making, weekly cooking from the items in a CSA box, the opportunity to grow food in raised beds in their yard, the maintenance of a vermi-compost worm bin, and supporting programs such as campus creek restoration and the farm. Residency for Larsen House Co-op is determined through an application and interview process.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
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Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:

Eco-Reps are work-study students supervised by the Sustainability Coordinator who raise awareness about sustainability issues and encourage more sustainable behaviors throughout the academic year. Eco-Reps plan and implement projects, events, and volunteer opportunities including Creek Care Days and Recyclemania, and plan related events, activities, and volunteer opportunities. They are also in charge of educational presentations, tabling, and educational materials development.

The Mills Community farm also supports student interns, supervised by the Farm Manager, who develop and promote sustainable food systems.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the graduation pledges:

There is an annual Lokey Graduate School of Business Oath, started at Mills College Commencement on 5.17.2014.

The Lokey GSB Oath

As a reflective leader I recognize my role in society. My purpose is to serve people with integrity and manage resources to create shared economic and social value. My decisions affect the well-being of individuals inside and outside my organization, today and tomorrow. Therefore, I promise that:

I will manage with loyalty and care, and will not advance my personal interests at the expense of my organization or society.
I will act with transparency, diligence, and ethical responsibility to uphold the laws and contracts governing my conduct and that of myorganization
I will refrain from corruption, unfair competition, or business practices harmful to society.
I will respect the human rights and dignity of all people, and I will oppose discrimination and exploitation.
I will safeguard the health of the planet and the needs of future generations.
I will report the performance and risks of my organization accurately and honestly.
I will invest in developing myself and others, helping the management profession continue to advance and create sustainable and inclusive prosperity.

In exercising my professional duties according to these principles, I recognize that my behavior must set an example of integrity, eliciting trust and esteem from those I serve. I will remain accountable to my peers, to myself, and to society for my actions and for upholding these standards.

This oath I make freely, and upon my honor


The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
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A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
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Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.