| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.70 |
| Liaison | Michael Lizotte |
| Submission Date | Sept. 18, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Michael
Lizotte University Sustainability Officer Facilities Planning |
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 | 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 | Yes |
| 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 | No |
The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
Earth Club is the oldest student organization focusing on environmental issues. Charlotte Green Initiative was established in 2010 to oversee projects funded by the student green fund. The Garden Club was started in 2014 and manages student garden spaces for the campus. 49er Transit is the newest student group, focusing on sustainable transportation issues on campus.
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:
In 2014, Students established a Garden Club and constructed a demonstration garden area with the help of Facilities Management. The garden was expanded in 2015 and now has about 800 square feet of raised beds, raised table beds for wheelchair access, a shaded hammock area, and an arbor for climbing plants and educational materials. The Garden Club also has an Association with the UNC Charlotte Greenhouse and Gardens for raising plants from seed, raising funds at plant sales, and sharing equipment.
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:
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
The Charlotte Green Initiative is managed by a student committee to dispense funding for projects that support campus sustainability. Funds are provided by the Student Government at a rate of $2 per student per semester. Students manage the grant proposal proces, from educating students, soliciting proposals, reviewing/selecting proposals for funding, and helping grantees access funding and navigate university purchasing rules.
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 Levine Scholars Program held a Sustainability Symposium in 2014 as a civic engagement project. The Sustainability Symposium has now been adopted and incorporated as part of the Spring Undergraduate Research Conference, with a special class of Sustainability Awards.
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 Keeping Watch Project started in 2014 to use the arts to raise discussions of local environmental issues and sustainability. The project develops a major art exhibit in the Center City Building, public art located on the campus and in the community, hands-on events, films and discussion panels. In 2014 the program focused on plastics and waste, in 2015 on creeks and water, and is planned for 2016 with a program on trees and air.
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:
Venture practices Leave No Trace principles on our trips. Participants are asked to consciously minimize their impact on the earth by carrying out all litter, using soap only where the environment can safely dispose of it (i.e. away from water), and following other Leave No Trace guidelines. In all activities, Venture's policy is to leave the natural environment as undisturbed as possible. They also take opportunities to "be still" and connect with the natural world. Venture's operations on National Forest System Lands are authorized under Special Use Permit by the Pisgah National Forest.
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:
In 2013, UNC Charlotte’s Common Reading text was "Wine to Water: A Bartender’s Quest to Bring Clean Water to the World", by Doc Hendley. For 2015, the Common Reading text will be "The Postmortal" by Drew Magary. The Common Reading Experience selection committee, chaired by Dr. Gregory Weeks, is excited to engage our campus in the question, “If someone offered you a cure for aging, would you take it?” Written as a series of blog posts beginning in the year 2019, this science fiction story imagines a world where immortality becomes possible, but questions - at what cost? While following the life of John Farrell, readers are drawn into considering the implications of “the cure” for overpopulation and the environment; interpersonal relationships; the roles of government and media; and our ethical and moral codes.
The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
A Green Rooms program has been developed for use in Residence Halls. It is a checklist system with items addressing lifestyle choices in energy, water, transportation, waste, purchasing, and learning. The program was developed by Eco-Reps who worked with residents to encourage them to try to develop sustainable habits and choices.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
The Sustainability Office offers 7-10 paid internships per semester. Sustainability-related internships are also provided by the Energy and Environmental Assistance Office, Recycling Office, and the Urban Institute.
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:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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.