| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.07 |
| Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Saskatchewan
EN-1: Student Educators Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.21 / 4.00 |
Matt
Wolsfeld Community Engagement Co-ordinator Office of Sustainability |
Number of students enrolled for credit (headcount):
Total number of students enrolled for credit that are served (i.e. directly targeted) by a student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program (avoid double-counting to the extent feasible):
Percentage of students served by a peer-to-peer educator program:
Name of the student educators program:
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (headcount):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities:
Student RAs at the university's residence buildings who are interested in improving sustainability in the residences sign up to lead the Green Huskies Challenge for their area. The Challenge pits residence buildings against each other in areas such as energy use, water use, and waste outputs, encouraging students to lower their environmental impact while learning about how their everyday actions affect these metrics.
The RAs who volunteered to lead this challenge in their areas were designated as peer educators in residence and held educational events throughout the year for students in residence. These events included informational talks on topics such as waste and workshops on things such as creating homemade sustainable household cleaners. A broader comparison of how the buildings ranked against each other was made available in the main entrance of each building so that students could keep track of their building's progress against the others.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected:
Student educators were selected among RAs (all registered students at the university) who expressed interest in taking on sustainability as an area of development. These students were designated as peer educators by Residence Services and the Office of Sustainability.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach:
The RAs were given training during sessions led by the Office of Sustainability's Community Engagement Coordinator. These sessions educated them on general sustainability topics, specifics of operational sustainability on the university campus, and how to engage their residence bodies through informational campaigns and events.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination):
The program was provided funding by Residence Services through RA programming allowances and by the Office of Sustainability through student sustainability grants.
Name of the student educators program (2nd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (2nd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
"Peer Health are students dedicated to promoting health on the U of S Saskatoon campus and are passionate about the health issues that impact student well-being. Peer Health works within the Be Well framework in the following seven specialties:
Harm reduction: Alcohol moderation and substance use
Healthy connections
Healthy lifestyles
Invisible disabilities
Mental wellness
Parents on campus
Sexual wellness
Peer Health holds the following mission and goals:
Promote a better and safer quality of life by helping students develop health knowledge and skills
Provide evidence based promotion programs built around current science, research, and practices
Enhance student leadership, development, and personal growth
Peer Health promotes health on campus in ways including:
Outreach events in Arts tunnel, residence, north concourse, and in the bowl
Health campaigns
Classroom presentations
Educational infographics and displays around campus
Student blog and social media posts and health tips
Playing interactive health focused games with students"
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
"Peer Health Mentors are volunteer positions, where mentors are expected to:
Volunteer for at least 2-3 hours per week
Attend the program orientation and training
Participate in general Peer Health meetings every week where planning, sharing, and training takes place
Attend group-specific meetings"
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (2nd program):
Peer Health Mentors are given training and orientation at the beginning of the school year by existing Mentors and USSU staff members.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (2nd program):
The Peer Health Mentors program is funded through the USSU and given administrative support by USSU staff members.
Name of the student educators program (3rd program):
Number of students served (i.e. directly targeted) by the program (3rd program):
A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
The Help Centre is a warm, friendly positive space that is open to everyone. We have comfy couches and friendly people always willing to chat. We’re here to help students with whatever they may need. Whether you need someone to talk to, a free phone, access to the exam file, or any other assistance just stop by and check us out. The USSU Help Centre is committed to providing information, referrals and personal support to undergraduate students. We strive to provide these services in a confidential, informed and safe environment. The Help Centre, through support, referral and information services, provides undergraduate students with knowledge and direction to assist them in their growth as individuals.
USSU Help Centre Peer Support Program:
USSU Help Centre Peer Support program offers support and referrals regarding sexual health, queer issues, academic issues, suicide, pregnancy and other student issues. They are available by appointment and on a walk-in basis during centre hours.
Eating Disorder Support Group:
Hosted by the USSU Help Centre, this student-run support group meets weekly to provide support and community to students who live with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating, and other eating disorders. This group is open to anyone affected by an eating disorder who would like to discuss issues related to their condition(s) with other students affected by eating disorders. Meetings are currently every Tuesday night at 7pm at the USSU Help Centre (on the main floor of MUB).
Exam File:
The USSU Help Centre Exam File has over 1000 exams from a wide variety of courses. The exam file is now even more convenient to use, files are available in pdf format; students can email the files to themselves by stopping in the Help Centre or visiting the Exam File computer in upper Place Riel. The Exam File requires student participation to remain up to date. Students are encouraged to bring old exams to the Help Centre.
Mental Health Support Group:
If students are struggling with their mental health and think they need support, they are invited to go to the Mental Health Support Group held every Wednesday at 7pm in the USSU Help Centre, (located in room 105, Memorial Building). Students will meet, discuss and get to know others who have been dealing with mental health. The Mental Health Support Group is a safe space to open up and can provide different resources that may help students with their mental health.
A.S.I.S.T.:
The USSU Help Centre, together with community partners at Living Works offers on campus A.S.I.S.T. (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
Other Services:
The USSU Help Centre offers many other services to help students on a daily basis. We offer a free phone, free condoms, candy, a kitchenette, maps, transit info, friendly faces, a positive space and so much more.
A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
USSU Help Centre volunteers are selected through an application process with the USSU. The Centre is inclusive and invites any and all students to participate and lend their help and expertise.
A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive to prepare them to conduct peer outreach (3rd program):
USSU Help Centre volunteers are given training and orientation at the beginning of the school year by existing volunteers and USSU staff members.
A brief description of the financial and/or administrative support the institution provides to the program (e.g. annual budget and/or faculty/staff coordination) (3rd program):
The USSU Help Centre is funded through the USSU and given administrative support by USSU staff members.
A brief description of all other student peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education programs, including the number of students served and how student educators are selected, trained, and supported by the institution:
N/A
Total number of hours student educators are engaged in peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education activities annually (all programs):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
N/A
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.