| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.50 |
| Liaison | Derek Nichols |
| Submission Date | May 17, 2022 |
University at Buffalo
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Derek
Nichols Sustainability Engagement Coordinator UB Sustainability |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
There are several groups that focus on sustainability issues.
UB Sustainability's flagship program is the Education and Leadership Fellows in Sustainability (ELFS) for students. ELFS are a group of premier campus student leaders who are committed to educating and engaging their peers, working to cultivate a culture of sustainability at UB, and having a positive impact in our region and beyond. In doing so they prepare themselves and their colleagues to become the next generation of globally-minded, sustainability literate leaders.
https://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/get-involved/2020ELFS.html
SA Environmental Affairs strives to make the Student Association’s operations more sustainable. Guided by the UB Climate Action Plan, which aims to make all of UB climate neutral by 2030, Environmental Affairs is responsible for implementing this plan within the Student Association and they work every day to make this goal a reality. http://www.sa.buffalo.edu/student-affairs
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) partners with developing communities to advance appropriate solutions that improve quality of life and that of future generations. http://engineering.buffalo.edu/home/academics/beyond/clubs/a-z.host.html/content/shared/engineering/civil-structural-environmental/beyond-the-classroom/student-clubs/esw.detail.html
UB Sustainable Business Association: The University at Buffalo (UB) Sustainable Business Association was launched in the fall of 2020. They strive to educate members of the UB community on the importance and viability of sustainability in the business world, which aims to create value through decisions that holistically consider people, planet, and profit. Their focus is to communicate the strategies business leaders are implementing today to mitigate the pressing issues of climate change, pollution, social injustice, and many more, all while upholding a triple bottom line approach. https://buffalo.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/ubsustainablebusiness/ and https://management.buffalo.edu/about/highlights/seeing-green.html
Alpha Kappa Chi is a co-educational professional fraternity whose mission is to promote the self-confidence, professionalism, and brotherhood of member individuals in preparation for, and commitment to environmental careers. https://buffalo.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/akx
The UB Environmental Network is a student run, student led network of individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education. UB Environmental Network defines the environment to include the physical, economic, political, and cultural conditions in which we live. By challenging the power structures which threaten these environmental conditions, UBEN works to create positive social change on campus, community, and on a global level. https://buffalo.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/EN
Fossil Free UB established a core team of students that are committed to being leaders for divestment campaigns at UB. They are developing a consistent movement amongst the student body, staff, and faculty with the divestment campaign and demonstrating that it is supported. They have worked closely with the Professional and Faculty Staff Senates, and have gotten both bodies to adopt a resolution on divestment. https://www.facebook.com/fossilfreeub/
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
UB Campus Garden: Their mission is to connect students, faculty and the community through experiential learning and practice. The garden is a model of sustainability and by being accessible and highly visible; it contributes to the advancement of the University at Buffalo and Campus Dining & Shops’ sustainability efforts. Internships are offered through UB Sustainability over the summer to coordinate volunteer hours.
UB Bees: UB Bees strives to educate the UB and WNY community about honey bees and beekeeping through lectures, workshops, and hands-on experience. Their hope is to increase knowledge and decrease fear of bees through our work with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
http://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/SustainabilitySpots/UB_Bees.html
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
UBReUSE is a student-run campus waste diversion program supported by UB Sustainability and Campus Living. The program captures goods during move-out that are useful but no longer wanted or needed by their owner. UBReUSE's goal is to connect these materials with new owners and reduce the amount of materials going to landfill.
http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2019/08/ub-reuse-fall-sale.html
UB's Engineers for a Sustainable World operate a solar smoothie cart which is operated during events to raise money and awareness about sustainability on campus and in the community.
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
During Sustainability month, there were countless speakers and events who presented throughout the month on topics that were associated with one of the 17 UN sustainable development goal.
https://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/news/Sustainability-Month/sustainability-month-2021.html
The Department of Environment and Sustainability also hosts a speakers series each semester. https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/environment-sustainability/news-events/evs-seminar-series.html
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
UB Sustainability coordinates an annual SustainABILITY Art Show that features student sustainability artwork. Work was put on display in the UB Sustainability gallery space in April with an opening reception. Artists submitted ideas or finished pieces which are broadly related to issues of sustainability, energy, waste and the environment. Artists are encouraged to submit multiple ideas or works.
https://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/news/Sustainability-Month/sustainability-month-2020.html
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
UB Outdoor Pursuits provides students, staff, faculty, alumni and the community at large, opportunities to share in the experience of all aspects of outdoor adventure.
Courses are offered in backpacking, cross country skiing, and outdoor safety, an annual trip to Alaska is very popular, and rentals of gear and equipment are available--all of which implement the Leave No Trace principles
UB also has a student run outdoor club, UB Outdoor Adventure Club (UB OAC) that is very active and offers several experiences each week. https://buffalo.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/OAC
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Life & Learning Workshops is UB's central resource for workshops that support student success in the classroom and beyond. UB Student Affairs, in partnership with Student Advising Services, the College of Arts & Sciences, International Student & Scholar Services, and others offer workshops relating to life skills including those which have sustainability ties to leadership, community service, diversity and social change, as well as enjoying and appreciating the outdoors.
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
UB Sustainability employees, undergraduate and graduate students assist our professional staff in program development and implementation. Working as a student coordinator in the UB Sustainability office provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, communications skills, along with experience developing and coordinating programs, events and activities. Not only do our student coordinators add much needed capacity to our initiative and programs but, by being integral members of the team, they are expected to perform at high levels and as a result gain experience that often helps them secure employment in their field when they graduate.
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
Last year, two social innovation/sustainability competitions were held for students to pitch their ideas on making the world more sustainable.
The World's Challenge Challenge brought students together from diverse academic backgrounds to share their ideas on furthering one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
https://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/WCC.html
The 10 in 10 Design Challenge had teams of students pitch ideas that would advance one of UB's 10 climate action plan strategies.
https://www.buffalo.edu/climate-action/10-solutions/solution-10/10in10Design.html
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.