| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 37.09 |
| Liaison | Adam Strzemienski |
| Submission Date | Sept. 18, 2023 |
University of North Georgia
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The Sustainability Club (DAH): The club focus on awareness and education on sustainability with basis in the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The club also works as a community for students to learn about individual actions they can take, and the club push for more integration of sustainability into university practices through networking and collaborations with the university.
Students for Environmental Awareness Club (GVL): The club strive to educate students about vital environmental issues, initiate and encourage environmentally friendly practices on campus and in our community, and to promote appreciation of the natural world through talks, exhibitions, and outdoor activities.
ENACTUS (GVL): A community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. ENACTUS is a global non-profit organization active in more than 40 countries. ENACTUS is funded by financial contributions from corporations, entrepreneurs, foundations, government agencies and individuals. Working in partnership with business and higher education, ENACTUS establishes student teams on university campuses.
The Botanical Society (DAH): The club focus on education students on how to care for plants in their dorms and is responsible for maintaining and helping out with the university’ Native Plants Garden, teaching about biodiversity and invasive plants.
Hometown Harvest (DAH): The purpose of Hometown Harvest is to be a volunteer association that plants various fruit and vegetable plants throughout the seasons with the intent of donation and education. This takes place at the Dahlonega campus community garden and teaches student practical knowledge as to how to grow your own fruits and vegetables in a sustainable way. A significant amount of food harvested is donated to the nearby Lumpkin High School.
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:
A gardening course has been offered to UNG students for a basic guide of organics and the gardening club alongside the Vickery House 4H garden. UNG also has a strong relationship with the local Master Gardeners organization for cooperative projects.
The Dahlonega campus has a community garden, ‘Hometown Harvest’, which is a student and professor-led program, where students plant various fruit and vegetable plants throughout the seasons, learning about organic farming and donate some of the food to the nearest High Schools
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:
Omicon Delta Kappa has been a long running leader for sustainability efforts on campus. In recent years, they have championed the expansion of the recycling programs on campus.
https://ung.edu/news/articles/2018/06/students-take-steps-in-making-ung-sustainable-campus1.php
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:
The fund has not been established but has been proposed by UNG's President's Committee on Sustainability. To help formalize the fund, a student survey was conducted to gauge approval of a $3 Green Fee. The fee was received well and supported by students. Per University System of Georgia rules, this is the first step in getting system approval for adding the new fee. UNG intends to recommend this fee in the near future.
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:
Kevin Kirsche from UGA came as a speaker on Sustainability for a student audience https://sustainability.uga.edu/about-us/office-of-sustainability/
SDG Launch: the Mike Cotrell college of Business collaborated with the Foundation of Environmental Stewardship to host UNG's first SDG Launch, which empowers youth to become sustainability leaders through educational sessions that connect, educate, and empower participants to become catalysts for change in their communities
Georgia's Energy Future with Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols: GA Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols came as a guest speaker on Georgia's Energy Future, specifically discussing solar-power and nuclear.
GaTech Kendeda Building Trip: the Sustainability Club and Professors collaborated with the Students Organizing for Sustainability at GaTech to organize a free trip where 15 students got the chance to see the first living building in Georgia, the Kendeda Building and a free tour.
IPCC Report 6 Breakdown: The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change, which brings the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate change as well as adaptation and mitigation strategies. This semester in April when all three parts have been published, the Sustainability Club in collaboration with several Professors and Departments, will host a Report 6 Breakdown both at the Dahlonega and Gainesville campus, bringing together 4-6 Professors to condense the information in the 6th IPCC report (including part I, II and III) into a 2 hour digestible event for students. The event will be featured in Georgia Drawdown and include attendees from other universities.
Earth Week Celebrations: Every year the Students for Environmental Awareness host along with many other UNG student clubs and Professors an annual Earth Day event on the UNG Gainesville campus. The event include numerous local environmental organizations, offer a free vegan lunch, and Earth-themed activities! Simultaneously the Dahlonega campus host an annual Earth Day tree-planting led by the Environmental Leadership Center and the Sustainability Club, planting 50 trees on campus. This year, clubs at the Dahlonega campus will also be hosting an Earth Day tabling along with the annual tree-planting.
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:
Earth Day is celebrated with green activities and an earth focused movie showing
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:
Hurricane Creek Research Site which is a piece of property a few miles from campus that supports research and conservation. Wilderness and outdoor programs are also available through Student Recreation via organized trips or no-cost equipment rental.
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:
Environmental Science classes require the students to complete environmental based service hours which they complete throughout our community and Campus at River Cleanups, Privet pulls, garbage pick ups and environmental festivals. The UNG's ground crew (Dan Jackson) has even created the opportunity for students to help and learn here on campus.
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:
Environmental Science, Biology, Botany, Water Lab, Ecological Protection Lab, SCALE Club.
https://ung.edu/news/articles/2018/02/scale-lab-allows-biology-students-to-sample-a-variety-of-research-projects.php
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Environmental Leadership Center has research opportunities related to the ELC's labs. Research in the Water Lab ranges from watershed management and to predicative modeling. In the Ecological Protection Lab research focuses on the effects of invasive species, biological management options and monitoring forest health. Both ELC labs provide real world opportunities to develop environmental based field and lab skills while attending the University.
https://ung.edu/Environmental-Leadership-Center/ecological-protection-lab/index.php
https://ung.edu/Environmental-Leadership-Center/water-lab/index.php
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:
Biology has the Opportunities for Research by Nancy Dalman and the Scale Lab
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.