Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Douglas Alexander
Submission Date July 14, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Old Dominion University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter DeAngelo Thorpe
Intern
Environmental Health and Safety
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 No
Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills No
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 Yes
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution No
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 No

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION
To introduce members to the many aspects of environmental engineering and provide an avenue for members to network with environmental engineers in the work force

STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION
Committed to protecting and enhancing the environment, especially on a local level through educational events, community clean-ups, tree plantings, and oyster gardening.

STUDENT NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
To better Tidewater's community health through control of the environment.
Web Address: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SNEHA_ODU/

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE:
A student group that focuses on sustainability events. The committee creates and passes legislation (bills and/or resolutions) that enhance the sustainability efforts and outreach on the ODU campus. The committee's overall goal is to create a more sustainable campus and to help students form habits that will lead them to living a more sustainable lifestyle.
Web Address: http://www.odusga.com/mimik/mimik_live_data/view.php?id=8&record_id=48

RECREATION & OUTDOOR CONSERVATION CLUB:
To introduce and promote conservation and outdoor ethics to interested and active students, faculty, and staff through the implementation of service learning projects, outdoor education and recreation.


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:

Community Garden:

Tenant Agreement:
Environmental Contamination--

(a) The Tenant shall not engage in or allow any activity on the Premises involving: (i) the handling of any toxic or hazardous substances, (ii) the discharge of toxic or hazardous substances to the air, soil, surface water or groundwater, (iii) the storage, treatment or disposal of any toxic or hazardous substances (for purposes of this Sublease, "hazardous substance(s)" shall have the meaning of "hazardous substance" set forth in 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(14), as amended, and of "regulated substance" at 42 U.S.C. Section 6991(2), as amended), or (iv) any other substances which may be the subject of liability pursuant to any environmental law of the United States or the Commonwealth of Virginia.

(b) The Tenant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Landlord from any and all claims, suits, judgments, damages, fines, penalties, liability, costs and expenses (including reasonable fees for costs and expenses for any required attorneys, consultants and experts) resulting or arising from the discovery of any toxic or hazardous substance on, in or arising from, or contamination of, the Premises which is a result of any activity of the Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors or repairmen.

(c) Given the Garden’s immediate proximity to a section of the Elizabeth River’s riparian wetlands, the Tenant will insure that it and its gardeners do not throw or cause any materials of any kind to be thrown into the river or associated wetlands.

(d) Only products carrying an Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) label shall be used.

(e) Naturally occurring products such as these listed below are approved fertilizers and pesticides.

a. Natural fertilizers
i. Kelp meal
ii. Cottonseed meal
iii. Fish emulsion

b. Mineral based fertilizers
i. Limestone
ii. Gypsum

c. Soil amendments
i. Compost
ii. Sand
iii. Peat moss
iv. Perlite

d. Natural pest control
i. Hot pepper spray
ii. Japanese beetle traps
iii. Soaps, soap flakes, liquid soaps
iv. Small bars of perfumed soaps tied to stakes will keep rabbits away
v. Canola oil
vi. Beneficial insects (ladybugs, praying mantis)
vii. Hot pepper
viii. Baking soda
ix. Milk


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:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
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A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

ODU Business Gateway's ECOnference 2012
ENGINEERING | ENERGY | ENVIRONMENT
Creating Environmental Innovation & Jobs

Don’t Dump It - Donate It:
During the end of the semester this program is where campus residents can donate items they don't want, can't believe they own, or simply don't have room in their car. These materials will be picked up by the Recoverable Resource's staff, sorted into categories and donated to charities another step to help reduce campus carbon footprint.

RecycleMania:
RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Over a 10-week period, schools report recycling and trash data which are then ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate. With each week’s reports and rankings, participating schools watch how their results fluctuate against other schools and use this to rally their campus communities to reduce and recycle more.

Dorm Storm:
In this event, the residential areas will be competing against one another to see which one can collect the most recyclable materials, per capita. Volunteers from the University, including RA staff, Recycling and many others will be quickly moving through each residence to collect recyclable materials within a one hour period. The Recycling Department will dispatch trucks to gather all materials collected from the STORM, weigh it and determine the winning area.

Recycling Days:
EcoReps and the campus newspaper, Mace & Crown, sponsored this event once a week where they collected recyclables, encouraged students to sign the Student Affairs Go Green Pledge and handed out information about sustainability initiatives on campus.

Blue Goes Green Week:
Held yearly in April, is a week long and features events and opportunities intended to educate, enhance and promote sustainability on campus. http://studentaffairs.odu.edu/osal/community/bluegoesgreen.shtml

The Hampton Roads Sustainable Living Fair:
Held on campus and co-hosted by the University on February 26 & 27 featuring workshops and vendors focused on sustainable living. http://studentaffairs.odu.edu/osal/community/sustainablelivingfair.shtml

Blue Planet Forum:
After climate change and sea level rise were identified by President Broderick and Professor Larry Atkinson as a critical issue for ODU and Hampton Roads, in December 2010 the university brought to campus Rear Admiral David Titley, the US Navy’s Oceanographer, to kick off the initiative. The university plans to continue to address this issue with future events in the upcoming academic year.

The President Lecture Series:
Speakers that can sometimes have a sustainability focus. For example, in October 2007, ODU brought Tim Flannery to campus who wrote the book, The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth. The website for the entire lecture series is http://www.odu.edu/ao/univevents/pls/

The Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Lecture Series:
Sponsored by the Marc and Connie Jacobson Philanthropic Foundation. Speakers for the Wallenberg Lecture are chosen by the University. They must be humanitarians - those who are “making the world a better place” - balanced in their philosophical beliefs, and not at either extreme of the social spectrum. Greg Mortenson was a featured lecture in March 2011. This is another annual lecture series that could bring speakers to campus that have a sustainability focus. http://www.odu.edu/ao/univevents/wallenberg/


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 intent of the Global Café is to bring together and help bridge the gap between American and international students, faculty, and staff. The entire ODU community is encouraged to attend and engage while enjoying refreshments, authentic cuisine and presentations.

Each month, the Café features a 15-20 minute presentation which introduces an important current international issue, such as: education, politics, people, and countries & cultures. Our 2015 2015 Global Café series included countries such as: Mexico, France, Liberia, and Saudi Arabia.

Our community wide cookout revolves around good food, nice folks, and great fun! Activities involving food, fun, and games naturally foster a sense of community, and inclusiveness which is increasingly important for our students, faculty, and staff as well as their families.


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 Outdoor Adventure Program is held within the Department of Recreation and Wellness at Old Dominion University. The Program features an Outdoor Adventure Center including a resource library, equipment rentals, and bike repair shop, a Climbing Wall, Adventure Trip Program, and a portable Challenge Course program. The goals of the Outdoor Adventure Program include increasing participants' appreciation and protection of natural resources as well as opportunities for personal exploration, growth and leadership development through their participation in outdoor activities.

The Outdoor Adventure Program offers Adventure Trips throughout the year and some trips provide an opportunity for service, mainly site clean-up or trail maintenance. The following are the past two years of experiences provided to the ODU community:

* Trip Leader Training General, Shenandoah State Park, Virginia – August 2009
* Trip Leader Training Sea Kayaking, Assateague Island National Seashore – September 2009
* Trip Leader Training Rock Climbing, Great Falls, Virginia – September 2009
* Sea Kayaking, Assateague Island National Seashore – September 2009
* Trip Leader Training Mountain Biking, New Quarter, Virginia – October 2009
* White Water Rafting, Gauley River, West Virginia – October 2009
* Backpacking, Lewis Fork Wilderness, Virginia – November 2009
* Paddlepalooza, Relay For Life, Old Dominion University – April 2010
* 13-day Adventure, Costa Rica – May 2010 – organic farming
* Car Camping, Eno River State Park, North Carolina – January 2010, January 2011
* 15-day Adventure, Peru – May 2011 – donations for school children including art supplies, toys, and school supplies


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 UNIV 100 course for first-year students incorporates a sustainability-related theme. The common reading for this optional course is "Funny in Farsi" by Firoozeh Dumas, which addresses issues of equity and social justice. The book explores themes of transitioning into a new environment while also teaching students about the Iranian culture and multiculturalism. This book has been used for the last two years and is planned for use in fall 2011.


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 residence hall occupied model room was selected as the "Best Room Ever" and demonstrates sustainable living principles. The You Tube video of the tour of the occupied “Best Room Ever Model Room” features the student’s recycling bin and mentions the importance of being green and recycling in the residence halls. The unoccupied model room that is available for tours has a recycling bin, limited paper, and uses natural light when possible.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
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The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
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A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of 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:
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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.