The University of Texas at Dallas
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Gary
Cocke Sustainability Director 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:
UT Dallas Student Government formed the Green Initiatives Committee to improve campus sustainability through student-led projects. https://sg.utdallas.edu/green/
The Sustainability Committee is composed of students, staff and faculty at UT Dallas and strives to cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility and participation. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/committee/
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is a non-profit professional student club at UT Dallas dedicated to promote scientific information on energy and sustainability. https://jindal.utdallas.edu/student-resources/student-organizations/
The Engineering World Health Organization Student Chapter serves to provide underdeveloped countries with medical equipment and to inspire students to pursue biomedical careers. https://utdewh.wixsite.com/utdewh/about-us
The Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) at University of Texas Dallas aims to provide students with a forum for environmental discussion, a connection to broad environmental issues, and opportunities for local change. We are a dedicated group of students whose club structure encourages individual members to discover issues or projects they are passionate about and take on a leadership role.
https://www.facebook.com/ECOUTD/
The Chemistry Graduate Student Organization is dedicated to the support of the UT Dallas Chemistry graduate student population. We provide members with opportunities to network, develop their careers and improve sustainability.
https://www.facebook.com/utdchemgrads/
The Animal Rights Club at UTD is a student organization aimed to educate and raise awareness for the unethical use and abuse of animals.
https://www.facebook.com/animalrightsclubutd/?ref=page_internal
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) at UTD is a nonpartisan climate change organization focused on national policies to address the climate movement. We work with ordinary citizens all across the Dallas-Fort Worth area to train them to become effective citizen advocates for effective climate policy like the Energy Innovation Act. Our group is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations.
https://www.facebook.com/CCLDFW/videos/citizens-climate-lobby-at-ut-dallas-and-in-dallas-fort-worth/218418172791443/
The Comet Solar Racing Team is a student-led club that competes in solar vehicle challenges to show the viability of alternative fuel-based transportation. Our goal is to build an energy-positive vehicle: one that produces more electricity than it uses, can drive 1,500 to 1,800 miles and will help raise awareness for sustainability issues.
https://news.utdallas.edu/students-teaching/solar-car-team-2020/
Comets for Better Transit (CFBT) is an advocacy group for students who want sustainable, accessible, and affordable transit in and around UTD. We partnered with UT Dallas Office of Sustainability to spread awareness about biking infrastructure on campus and get students engaged with direct ways to bring more sustainable transit to our area. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/news/20220125/
UTD's Society of Sustainable Business promotes economic advancement and poverty alleviation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and in developing countries. This initiative also provides scholarships for students and supports faculty conducting international sustainable poverty alleviation projects, with a particular focus on Africa.
https://jindal.utdallas.edu/centers-of-excellence/cgb/sustainable-global-business-initiative/
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:
UT Dallas has a community garden complete with 19 plus plots. This garden is maintained by students, staff, faculty, and members of the community. This is a great opportunity for students to grow their own food and learn about new gardening techniques. https://volunteer.utdallas.edu/garden/
UT Dallas has four certified Monarch Waystations on campus to engage students and support butterfly migration. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/download/Monarch_Waystation_Field_Guide.pdf
In 2021, UT Dallas launched the Eco Hub- a student-led facility featuring about 20,000 square feet of high-quality soil, enriched with compost collected on campus. The primary focus of the microfarm is on food production for food insecure individuals through the Comet Cupboard and the North Texas Food Bank.
https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/campus/ecohub/
UT Dallas is a member of Bee Campus USA with two bee apiaries and protected wildflower areas designed to conserve pollination and encourage students to act as stewards of the environment. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/campus/bees/#mission
UT Dallas received the Tree Campus USA designation in 2016 from the Arbor Day Foundation. The program helps colleges and universities establish and sustain healthy community forests, and is renewed every year by holding a committee meeting and having a Texas Arbor Day celebration (typically a tree planting event held on the first Friday of November).
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:
Blackstone LaunchPad is a campus institute powered by Techstars (the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed) and is open to all students and alumni in all majors. The program enables participants to access mentoring, grow their network, and access the resources to accelerate their business. Our multi-purpose collaborative co-working space inspires and supports student entrepreneurship.
https://innovation.utdallas.edu/programs/blackstone-launchpad/
The UT Dallas Seed Fund, a program of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, invests exclusively in technology startups founded by UTD students, faculty, staff, alumni and other program affiliates. The UT Dallas Seed Fund seeks to invest in early-stage businesses with inventions, discoveries, products or services that have achieved proof of concept (or a prototype) and are ready for commercial product development. https://innovation.utdallas.edu/programs/seed-fund/
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:
Enactus is an international non-profit organization that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. Since Fall 2006, Enactus UTD has focused on giving back to the local community by educating individuals and doing various projects (e.g., financial literacy and success skills training, business development and entrepreneurship, business ethics, women empowerment and environmental sustainability). https://www.facebook.com/Enactus.UTD
In Spring 2022, the Jindal School of Management organized its first Global Sustainability Experience (GSE) consisting of webinars and workshops and culminating in a final round of student competition and a celebration event on April 22, 2022 (Earth Day). The purpose of the GSE is to bring more awareness and excitement to the topic of sustainability to campus, partner with industry to discuss sustainability trends, and generate sustainable business ideas among students. It is also an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to network with companies and institutions searching for top business talent. The students who placed within the top three cases were awarded a cash prize. https://jindal.utdallas.edu/events/sustainability-competition/
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:
This April 18-23, 2022, UTD had its 11th annual earth week. The Office of Sustainability and the Office of Student Volunteerism chose the United Nations SDG 13 (Climate Action) as the week’s theme. UT Dallas students, faculty and staff came together to enjoy interactive events on campus throughout the week. With the help of nearly 40 valued community partners, the events are hosted by the Office of Student Volunteerism and the Office of Sustainability and appeal to many students. This year's earth week activities included: bee hive installations, introductory garden workshops, creating climate action signs, a bike path tour and comet compost training. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/campus/virtualearthweek/
In Spring 2022, UTD organized its first Global Sustainability Experience (GSE) consisting of webinars and workshops and culminating in a final round of student competition on Earth Day.
AASHE Campus Sustainability Month: UT Dallas participates every year in October. The Office of Sustainability hosts events to raise awareness of the value of sustainability in higher education.
Viva Volunteer: an annual service event where hundreds of UT Dallas students, staff, and faculty come together to make a difference within the community.
Operation Upcycle Service Project: hosted routinely by Office of Student Volunteerism and teaches students to reuse their paper and plastic products.
Butterfly Flutterby: Students groups maintain monarch waystations on campus.
Trade-In, Trade-Up, Recycle: Recycle e-waste at the UTD Tech Store for credit toward new devices.
The Pledge Tree: Philanthropy to endow campus enhancement.
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:
UTD has an active multicultural center that hosts a variety of celebrations to commemorate and preserve campus diversity. In October 2021, the student-focused center hosted a Dia de los Muertos event that featured a live dance performance and an Asian Lunar New Year event in February 2022. UT Dallas has heritage months offering live events to further cultural sustainability such as Black history month and Hispanic heritage month. https://multicultural.utdallas.edu/
In June of 2022, UTD’s Center for Asian studies partnered with the Geosciences Department to bring students an exhibit at the Crow Museum of Asian Art called Rare Earth: The Art and Science of Chinese Stones. Students can view the remarkable preservation of minerals and ponder their cultural significance. Scientific and artistic thinking align as students are inspired to understand natural forces and sustainability. https://calendar.utdallas.edu/event/rare_earth_the_art_and_science_of_chinese_stones#.YqNuVnbMK70
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:
UREC Outdoors provides experiences on campus and throughout North Texas beyond UT-Dallas. Camping, kayaking, ziplining, and hiking excursions are led by UREC staff members. The goals of UREC Outdoors is to learn new skills and care for the earth, by following the principles of Leave No Trace. https://urec.utdallas.edu/
The UT Dallas Marketplace offers a Wilderness First Aid certification class to teach students how to help someone in a remote, outdoor crisis.
The Office of Sustainability offers the Comet Composting Program year-round to educate and train students on eliminating food waste. Students receive a personal compost bin after completing the training. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/operations/composting/
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:
UTD hosts Earth Week annually and showcases a different theme each year. Over 15 events culminate with a large, interactive Earth Fair event on the Campus Mall. Vendors and exhibitors are invited to showcase sustainability resources, technologies, and education during the event. Other events regularly integrate applicable sustainability practices that students can implement in their daily life. UT Dallas’s annual Earth Week helps to foster a sustainable attitude and/or theme on campus.
The Office of Sustainability hosts Campus Sustainability Month (CSM) every October to promote sustainability in higher education.
The Green Initiatives Committee, a student government committee at UTD, was developed for students to explore environmental issues and propose solutions. In AY 2019, the Sustainable Semesters Initiative launched, with the year’s focus being on the water crisis. Students participated in common readings, presentations from faculty and experts, and workshops. 20 students participated in the program and their time was recognized through the Office of Sustainability's Sustainable Service Honors Program. This initiative helps students explore issues such global water scarcity and promotes social responsibility.
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:
The Office of Student Volunteerism offers garden workshops at the campus community garden for all students during Earth Week. https://volunteer.utdallas.edu/garden/
In April 2021, the Office of Sustainability offered a free Gardening Preparedness Webinar taught by a local permaculture expert. Registrants learned how to prepare a garden bed, how to create fertilizer, which crops to choose and why, and how herbs boost immunity.
UT Dallas Summer Field Geology Program (Geosciences 3300 and 4300)- Field geological experiences remain vitally important facets of the geoscience education of undergraduate and graduate students, across the planet. The Summer Field Geology program at the University of Texas at Dallas emphasizes a rigorous, hands-on experiential approach to examining, understanding and recording, through maps, cross-sections, and reports, relationships among rocks in the earth’s crust. The program consists of two, three-credit courses, Introductory Field Geology (GEOS 3300) and Advanced Field Geology (GEOS 4300). These courses are taught concurrently, beginning in mid-May, immediately after Spring Commencement. https://geosciences.utdallas.edu/undergraduates/camp/#:~:text=The%20Summer%20Field%20Geology%20program,rocks%20in%20the%20Earth's%20crust.
Alternative Spring Break (ASB)
An immersive week of hands-on service, leadership training and relationship-building that is supplemented with education and reflection. Each ASB experience specializes on a particular social issue such as environmental conservation, disaster relief, affordable housing, education, etc. Volunteer teams are matched with a non-profit agency that provides housing, orientation and training. Participants volunteer 40 hours a week. ASB participants take part in team activities and meetings to get to know each other and learn about the community partners they will be working with. Participation culminates in a reflection reception in April where teams reunite and share ASB experiences, as well as share ways for continued civic engagement and community outreach. The goal of ASB is to cultivate a sense of social responsibility in student participants, assist them to develop leadership skills, and inspire them to take action to influence positive change in their communities and throughout the world. The experiences are designed to challenge students to think critically about the issues facing the communities they are serving and learning alongside. Being immersed in diverse environments enables them to experience, discuss, and understand social issues in a more personal way than simply hearing about them in the news and discussing them in class. ASB 2022 experiences include:
Animal Services in San Angelo, TX (Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue)
Disaster Relief in Biloxi, MS (Community Collaborations, Inc.)
Environmental Conservation in Galveston, TX (Galveston Bay Foundation)
Environmental Conversation and Park Maintenance in Orcas Island, WA (American Hiking Society)
Healthcare in Little Rock, AR (Arkansas Children Hospital)
Hunger and Homelessness in San Antonio, TX (San Antonio Food Bank)
LGBTQ+ and Ally Services in DFW, TX (Dallas Hope Charities)
https://springbreak.utdallas.edu/
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Ecology Representatives, or Eco-Reps, are student leaders who implement sustainability programs at UT Dallas. The Eco-Reps want to make life at UT Dallas more beautiful by helping students make simple, daily decisions to be eco-friendlier, one choice at a time. The program launched in 2017. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/campus/ecoreps/
UT Dallas uses the online recruiting platform Handshake, which allows students to find other sustainability-related employment opportunities.
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):
Sustainability Serve Honors- Eligible graduating students can receive the Sustainability Service Honors award that recognizes their volunteer work that aided in sustaining the environment of UT Dallas, Richardson, and the Dallas metroplex. The Graduation Pledge is signed during the application process and serves as a commitment to sustainability. https://sustainability.utdallas.edu/campus/service/
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:
Student-Run Enterprises
https://innovation.utdallas.edu/seed-fund/
Student-Run Enterprises
https://innovation.utdallas.edu/seed-fund/
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.