| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.23 |
| Liaison | Maria Dahmus |
| Submission Date | June 21, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of St. Thomas
IN-1: Sustainability Course Designation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
David
Kelly Associate Professor, Department Chair Geography and Environmental Studies |
Does the institution formally designate sustainability courses in its standard course catalog or listings?:
A brief description of the formal sustainability course designation program, including the methodology used to identify and approve courses for inclusion:
In Spring 2016, the Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI) launched the SUST Course Designation Initiative. This initiative created a SUST course designation at the University of St. Thomas for courses across disciplines that integrate a significant sustainability component (economic, social, and/or ecological dimensions of interconnections between human and environmental well-being). St. Thomas faculty from across disciplines were invited to apply to designate their courses as a SUST course.
By Spring 2018, OSI designated almost 100 courses across 30 different disciplines as SUST courses. SUST-designated courses can be used by students to complete the new Sustainability minor. The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies now manages the application process for new SUST course designations.
Faculty may request a SUST designation for their course by completing an application that indicates how the course addresses the following criteria:
• Course introduces students to sustainability concepts (ecological, social, and/or economic dimensions);
• Students apply knowledge and methods of the course to engage with sustainability issues;
• Course learning goals are linked to or support one or more of the following competencies: thinking critically about environmental problems and solutions, solving problems by applying concepts and principles, communicating effectively about sustainability;
• Grading gives weight to sustainability related reflection or integrated assignments.
Does the institution designate sustainability courses on student transcripts?:
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:
Although SUST course designations do not appear on transcripts, they do appear on the degree audits that students and faculty use to plan and monitor graduation status.
Although SUST course designations do not appear on transcripts, they do appear on the degree audits that students and faculty use to plan and monitor graduation status.
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.