Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.92
Liaison Katie Maynard
Submission Date Aug. 19, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of California, Santa Barbara
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Katie Maynard
Sustainability Coordinator
Geography & Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution coordinate one or more ongoing student, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs that meet the criteria for this credit?:
Yes

Number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
21,927

Name of the student educators program (1st program):
Dining Commons Internship Program

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (1st program):
8,101

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):

The Dining Common Internship program works with the University's Dining Services to improve current sustainable practices. Student interns research assigned projects, collect and input data, and provide recommendations to Dining services. Examples of projects that student interns work on include Sustainability Week, a week long celebration focusing on sustainable efforts where interns table in the dining commons educate students about sustainable food initiatives; Seafood Day, a program where interns educate students about the Dining Service's sustainable seafood program and engage with students on the importance of purchasing sustainable fish; and Earth Day, a program where interns educate students about a climate-friendly diet. In addition to tabling in the Dining Commons, student interns also develop educational brochures and PowerPoint slides for the programs. Student interns also assists in tracking dining utilities, such as the amount water, gas, electric, and food waste that are used by the Dining Services. This data is used to help the Dining Services work towards achieving more sustainable practices and to remain Green Business Certified. The students most effected by the Dining Commons Internship program are the students who have an active meal plan on campus and are directly exposed to the education opportunities provided by the Dining Services.

Interns also table once per month during Green Mondays when interns engage with students about the nutritional and environmental benefits of consuming a vegetarian meal.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):

Currently, there are 4 student interns (student educators) who apply to participate in the program by submitting an application, resume, cover letter, and transcript.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):

Interns are expected to dedicate a minimum of 6 hours per week and commit to all three quarters throughout the academic year. During this time, interns are given the opportunity to work alongside professionals in the field and interact with Dining Services staff on projects. Interns are provided the necessary knowledge and training for projects as they are assigned. The interns are specifically trained to use Microsoft Publisher and CBORD, the Dining Hall food service program. Interns meet with Danielle Kemp, the adviser for the program, on a weekly basis, and there are multiple opportunities for one on one mentorships throughout the year. The students also reach out to their faculty adviser, David Cleveland, a researcher involved in sustainable agrifood systems, depending on the projects they are working on.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (1st program):

The University supports the program by providing a faculty advisor and allowing students to take the internship for credit.


Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Health and Wellness Internship Program

Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
20,000

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):

The Health and Wellness Program strives to encourage sustainability through healthy living and buying locally sourced, organic food products. Health and Wellness Interns and Leaders are responsible for facilitating all workshops, marketing, tabling, events, and field trips. Interns are responsible for infusing UCSB with positive, proactive, evidence-based health and wellness messages and activities. Some past peer-to-peer outreach activities include educating students on Healthy Eating and Living (HEAL) that included spreading awareness of the importance of eating sustainable, locally sourced, organic food. The program provided fruit bowls on campus to students and worked with the local Bragg Health Institute to allow students to have access to sustainable, healthy foods. Health and Wellness Interns also educate students on how to practice smart, sustainable shopping at local farmers markets and work with the local food co-op. The program also works with the Residence Hall Association Leadership to select a Health and Wellness Chair (HAWC) in each residence hall to bridge Residential Life and Health and Wellness programs by providing information, programming, and resources to their peers. Each quarter, Health and Wellness interns and student leaders track the number of students that attend each event put on by the Health and Wellness program. These numbers are then totaled to approximate the number of students served by the program. All Health and Wellness programs are open to all students on campus, but the interns primarily target the undergraduate population and send staff representatives to address any requests from the graduate student population.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):

There are currently 15 student interns and 16 student leaders in the Health and Wellness program. Interns and Leaders are selected through an application process in addition to completing basic training, attending workshops, and completing a Health Specialty, a workshop in a specific healthy living topic. In addition to interns and student leaders, the Health and Wellness program also has Health and Wellness Chairs representing the program in undergraduate residence halls. These representatives are chosen by their peers living in the residence halls through an electoral process.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):

Student leaders in the Health and Wellness program receive 50 hours of training, on top of the intern training they need to apply to be leaders. Interns receive approximately 20 hours of training divided into three main categories: 8 hours health skills, 8 hours life skills, 4 hours intern skills.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):

The Health and Wellness program is paid with a mix of state funds through Student Affairs, small gifts, and student lock in fees. The University also supports the program by providing office space and staff.


Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
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Name(s) of the student educator program(s) (all other programs):
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Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by all other student educator programs:
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A brief description of the program(s), including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (all other programs):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (all other programs):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (all other programs):
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A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (all other programs):
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Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually:
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The website URL for the peer-to-peer student outreach and education program(s):
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.