| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.91 |
| Liaison | Julie Hopper |
| Submission Date | Dec. 20, 2023 |
University of Southern California
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Julie
Hopper Data Analyst Office of 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:
The University of Southern California offers a variety of clubs and organisations as extracurriculars with an emphasis upon sustainability topics and goals:
Environmental Student Assembly (ESA) is the most prominent student sustainability organization at USC. Its mission is anchored in three goals: engaging, informing, and empowering students. ESA is actively engaged in environmental education and activism, and often partners with USC's Office of Sustainability and Undergraduate Student Government to host events, raise awareness of sustainability challenges, and empower students to push for change. ESA oversees numerous other sustainability-focused groups through its organization membership structure.
More information: https://linktr.ee/USCESA
DivestSC is a coalition of students working to green the university’s endowment. The organization believes that divestment and reinvestment are a prime opportunity for USC to actively confront the dangerous realities of a changing climate while simultaneously accelerating the growth of its endowment.
More information: https://divestsc.org/
USC Food Recovery Network is an organization dedicated to reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity among students on campus. They hope to create a coalition of all existing organizations that aim to improve the quality of life for all students. FRN partners with businesses on or near campus to recover food and redistribute it to the community.
More information: https://uscfoodrecoverynetwork.wordpress.com/
USC Institute of Transportation Engineers is a student organization rooted in the interdisciplinary interest of the broad field of transportation. As a collective of undergraduate and graduate students they dive deep into the complexities of the everyday movement of humans and goods utilizing novel engineering, environmental, planning, political, and sociological perspectives. Exploring the future of transportation, student members formulate strong connections to experienced faculty, alumni, and professionals who seamlessly connect the organization to the professional world. USC ITE organizes a wide array of conferences, summits, fun field excursions, seminars, thematic speaker series, and design challenges ultimately providing a network of colleagues and out of class experiential learning opportunities.
More information: https://iteusc.com/
The Sustainability Project educates others on the importance of sustainability in business, advocates for greener policies and projects in our community and connects people who are passionate about the cause.
More information: https://tspatusc.weebly.com/
The Marshall Energy & Sustainability Club (MESC) exists to support Marshall students pursuing business roles revolving around energy, clean-tech, and sustainability across a wide range of industries. The club caters to numerous functions including strategy, finance, operations, supply chain, marketing, consulting, project development, project management, sustainability, and more.
More information: https://clubs.marshall.usc.edu/mesc/about/
Blueprints for Pangea is a nonprofit organization led by students to reduce the waste of excess medical supplies. At USC, unused medical supplies are redirected through this organization to healthcare facilities, both locally and abroad. This program ensures excess medical supplies are utilized rather than thrown away. The organization’s mission stimulates more efficient practices within the medical field while touching upon the three pillars of sustainability.
More information: https://www.blueprintsforpangaea.org/
Mash Magazine is a student publication centered on the business of fashion. The group focuses on a variety of issues concerning fashion, including the sustainability and ethics of the fashion industry.
More information: https://www.uscmashmag.com/
AIESEC is the world's largest youth-led organisation with a cohort at USC registered under 501(c)(3) category and is a non-profit, non-political, multinational organisation, which presents in 127 countries and territories worldwide, with more than 70,000 active members at any given time. They partnered with the UN to aid them reach their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also serves as goal #17 Partnership for Goals as a youth organization. They also hold a consultative status with the ECOSOC and work with the UNDP. More information: https://aiesec.org/about-us
Environmental & Energy Law Society is a group intended for pre-law students who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental or energy law. The group utilizes networking and activities to explore these subjects along with related legal topics.
More information: https://gould.usc.edu/students/organizations/
American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists has a chapter at USC composed of students pursuing careers in environmental engineering and sciences. Students utilize this group to connect with their peers and faculty with similar professional aspirations and experience. Students are engaged with sustainability issues through events, workshops and career exploration which allow them to become well-versed in subject matters of this field.
More information: http://uscaaees.wordpress.com/
Conscientious Living Organization–Veganism, Environmentalism, Reducetarianism (CLOVER) is a student group with the focus of appreciating and encouraging a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle for USC students. The club focuses on sustainable efforts inspired by veganism, environmentalism and reducetarianism. Students are encouraged to engage with these causes through events hosted by the Conscientious Living Organization.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/uscclover/?hl=en
American Society of Civil Engineers is a club dedicated to connecting civil and environmental engineers. Teams are created for design, social and professional elements of the field to allow students to gain experience with the engineering field.
More information: http://uscasce.com/
American Lung Association Collegiate Council (ALACC) strives to improve two core aspects within our community: health and the environment. Members of ALACC take on exciting projects from tobacco control to making change with government legislators.
More information: https://www.lung.org/
Solar Car Team is a student group that participates in solar-powered vehicle racing competitions. The sustainably-driven student engineer team designs a full-size solar vehicle to enter into the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge.
More information: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uscsolarcar
Science Policy Group at USC is part of the national organization of the same name which hopes to educate and advocate for science policy efforts. Through a wide variety of events, the club discusses various issues in science, including environmental challenges and potential sustainability solutions.
More information: https://earth.usc.edu/sciencepolicy/
The Surfrider Foundation-USC is a local group of Surfrider, an international non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and appreciation of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network.
More information: https://engage.usc.edu/surfriderfoundationusc/home/
Environmental Core is a student activism group with the intent to create accountability within USC. The group emphasises the importance of sustainability initiatives and practices on campus for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/uscecore/?hl=en
Associated Students of Planning and Development (ASPD) is a professional organization dedicated to promoting academic and professional development, fostering social relationships among planning students and advancing social equity in the planning profession.
More information: http://uscaaees.wordpress.com/
The Annenberg Media Earth Desk is a student-led multiplatform news media focused on climate and sustainability.
More information: https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/earth/
China Entrepreneur Network (CEN at USC) aims to develop leadership, facilitate innovation and encourage entrepreneurship for a better, environmentally sustainable future.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/cenusc/
Graduate Student Government – Sustainability Committee, a committee allows students a more direct medium for voicing sustainability-related concerns at USC. The committee will examine current and proposed initiatives to understand both areas of strength and areas with shortcomings to focus efforts. The committee will allow more student voices to reach the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability in Education, Research, and Operations through the Director of Sustainability, ultimately enhancing the University’s vision on sustainability.
More information: https://gsg.usc.edu/committees/
Ostrow Sustainability Group raises environmental and sustainability awareness among the School of Dentistry and USC community. OSG creates opportunities for personal, academic, and professional development.
More information: https://dentistry.usc.edu/ostrow-goes-green/
Society for Earth Science Students/Sigma Gamma Epsilon builds community in and out of the earth science department for people passionate understanding and taking care of our natural environment.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/usc_sess/
Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) is a subcommittee of the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability (PWG), the SCC provides recommendations on how USC can become a model for sustainability in its education, research, and campus operations.
More information: https://linktr.ee/ssc_
Students for Environmental Action (SEA) is a student-led organization geared towards advocating for environmental change and encouraging everyone to engage in sustainable practices.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/usc.sea
The Undergraduate Student Government serves as the liaison between the administration and students, and ensures students are aware of important sustainability changes and available resources.
More information: https://usg.usc.edu/
USC Global Policy Institute is a student-run think tank and community education institute dedicated to the study of foreign affairs. We bring together faculty, students, policymakers and intellectuals to discuss pressing global and climate change issues.
More information: https://uscgpi.com/
For more information on these opportunities, visit
https://sustainability.usc.edu/directory/#student
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:
Parkside Garden is located within one of USC’s residential communities on campus and is managed by USC Garden Club. It features a full scale aquaponics system, several urban growing systems, three vermiculture worm composting systems, two additional food-scrap composting systems and fully automated drip irrigation. The garden intakes scraps from students, staff, and campus offices and is fully organic. More information: https://green.usc.edu/get-involved/urban-garden/
USC Peace Garden, led by Camille Dieterle, Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, transformed a little-used lot near USC’s University Park Campus into a garden wellness space that is being used for education, research and programs serving the community. The purpose is to promote and demonstrate environmental sustainability, social and environmental justice, health promotion and wellness and community safety.
More information: https://chan.usc.edu/community/usc-peace-garden
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:
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 Green Engagement Fund was created by USC’s Environmental Student Assembly, Graduate Student Government, Sustainability Office, and Undergraduate Student Government. It is a fund solely dedicated to financing student sustainability projects. The fund was created with hopes of also highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship through these initiatives. Its most recent update states the fund currently holds an estimated $24,000 for such projects with hopes to increase the size of its budget in the coming years.
The fund allows students the opportunity to imagine, design, and implement their sustainability projects, while at the same time allowing them to gain valuable experience applying for and handling grant money.
For more information, visit https://uscgef.wordpress.com/
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:
Student-Focused:
Environment and Sustainability Seminars in Wrigley Institute and the Dornsife Environmental Studies Program provide opportunities for students to learn more about research and careers in the environment and sustainability from 2020 till now.
More information: https://dornsife-wrigley.usc.edu/events/environment-and-sustainability-seminars/
Student-Inclusive:
The annual Climate Forward Conference, hosted in partnership with the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and Common Ground Committee, explores politically realistic solutions to the challenges associated with a changing climate.Past speakers have included U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. This conference takes place during Earth Month each year. More information:
https://dornsife-wrigley.usc.edu/engagement/climate-forward/
The Los Angeles Business Council’s Sustainability Summit is held by the Los Angeles Business Council, which integrates high-level convening of business, government and nonprofit leaders in one of the most environmentally forward-thinking cities in the world.
More information: https://labusinesscouncil.org/events/sustainability-summit/
The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement was the brainchild of Southern California philanthropists John and Alice Tyler. As co-founder of Farmers Insurance, John Tyler sought to use his fortune to better the world. Environmental conservation emerged as one way to make a difference. Due in part to award ceremonies filled with Hollywood stars hobnobbing with top environmental researchers, the prize grew in prestige, and it is now considered the Nobel Prize for the environment.
More information: https://tylerprize.org/
https://news.usc.edu/205558/tyler-prize-award-ceremony-returns-to-usc/
Conference: Solutions for a Sustainable Future This annual conference features some of the world’s leading experts for a vibrant discussion about solutions to climate change and what we can all do to advance them. In the conference on October 17th, 2023; there were keynote addresses from the former Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and one of the Paris Agreement’s lead negotiators. Panelists featured representatives from industry, academia and the public sectors. Discussions included emerging solutions in three critical areas: energy and technology, food and water, and behavioral change.
The 2023 conference also featured videos of USC students whose research is leading to new solutions and student artworks that convey the importance and hope for standing up to climate change. A reception followed the conference, allowing attendees to mix with keynote speakers and panelists to carry on these vital conversations. More information: https://sites.usc.edu/climate-conference/
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:
USC's Office of Sustainability partnered with USC Arts in Action to develop the USC Arts and Climate Collective which awards funding to student arts and media projects that address sustainability, climate change, and environmental justice. Coinciding with Earth Day 2021, students received up to $1500 to create an art installation or other media project.For more information, visit https://artsinaction.usc.edu/take-action/
USC’s Sustainability Hub features rotations of student artwork with a focus on sustainability. See some of the artwork featured in the news article here: https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2023/09/08/photos-sustainability-hub-grand-opening-marks-milestone-for-campus-sustainability/
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:
Peaks and Professor is a student-led organization that aims to unite USC’s top professors and students in the great outdoors by organizing outdoor adventures in the California wilderness, with a variety of activities ranging from day hikes to multiple-day backpacking trips. The organization's mission and activities all align with the Leave No Trace principles.
More information: https://www.peaksandprofessors.org/
SC Outfitters is USC’s 100% student-run outdoor adventure organization. Our mission is to foster a diverse and inclusive outdoor community, while connecting as many students as possible with the wilderness of Southern California, the West, and beyond. The organization welcomes all levels of experience to join in its hiking activities. The organization follows Leave No Trace principles.
More information: https://www.scoutfitters.org/
Marshall Outdoor Club serves as a catalyst to get MBA students active in the environment, educate them on outdoor skills and etiquette, and connect them with other students outside of the urban setting.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/mba.oc.club/
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:
Nemirovsky Residential College is a community created for students within university housing to live amongst like-minded individuals in the pursuit of a more sustainable future. The community is focused on educating students on the three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy, and society. Students develop leadership skills to respond to environmental concerns and are encouraged to reduce their consumption of resources. These residential goals allow for the growth of sustainability leaders within USC’s student body.More information:
https://resed.usc.edu/second-year-residential-colleges/new-nemirovsky-residential-college/
Hosted in Trojan Learn, the online Student Sustainability Training is the result of a collaborative effort among the Office of Sustainability and campus partners, including University Communications, Environmental Student Assembly (ESA), and students, faculty, and staff from the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability (PWG).
Upon completion of the training, students will be able to:
-Recall the foundational principles of sustainability, including how global sustainability imperatives connect with USC’s sustainability framework, Assignment: Earth.
-Take an active role in advancing sustainability at USC by adopting sustainable behaviors in their daily lives.
-Get involved in sustainability-focused organizations on campus and in the community.
-Access additional resources to continue learning about sustainability at USC and beyond.
More information: https://sustainability.usc.edu/student-sustainability-training/
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
President’s Sustainability Internship Program：
The President’s Sustainability Internship Program connects students with co-curricular learning opportunities that advance university sustainability. Beyond the deliverables that interns produce through their individual positions, the goal of this paid internship program is to build a community of students who come away better equipped to advocate for sustainability at USC and beyond. Throughout the academic year, the full cohort of interns are brought together to build community, share knowledge across their different project teams, and gain the skills to grow as sustainability champions.
More information: https://green.usc.edu/students/presidents-sustainability-internship-program/
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:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data up to date as of 10/21/23
Data up to date as of 10/21/23
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.