Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.35
Liaison Gioia Thompson
Submission Date March 19, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Vermont
ER-1: Student Sustainability Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.99 / 5.00 Gioia Thompson
Sustainability Strategist
UVM Office of Sustainability
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Total number of degree-seeking students enrolled at the institution:
11,250

Program name (1st program):
Eco-Reps Program

Number of students served by the program to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (1st program):
11,238

A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (1st program):

The mission of the UVM Eco-Reps Program is to cultivate environmental responsibility by training student leaders to promote sustainable practices at the university and encourage environmentally responsible behaviors among peers. Eco-Reps develop and implement peer-to-peer behavior change campaigns, organize a farmer's market on campus, and create events such as waste sorts and light bulb swaps to engage the campus community. Every student who takes classes on campus is exposed to the work of the Eco-Reps on a daily basis, as the student center has two Eco-Reps of its own. The student center has more than 2.3 million visits per year for events, dining, meetings, and other activities. Eco-Reps also reach other students in the library and dining facilities, and they do postering in classroom spaces.


A brief description of how the student educators are selected (1st program):

Eco-Reps apply to the program at the end of Spring semester for positions that begin the following Fall. An extensive outreach program seeks a pool of applicants from diverse majors and campus locations. Applicants are reviewed by members of the program advisory group. Senior Eco-Reps who have been with the program for more than a year also advise the process. The program coordinator offers positions to the most qualified candidates. Candidates then notify the program coordinator whether they have decided to accept the responsibilities and expectations of the job. Applicant acceptance rates typically vary from 30-50%.


A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (1st program):

A formal training takes place for three days during the week before classes begin in August. Eco-Reps move in early and go through an introduction to the program. They get to know each other and bond as a team; develop communications strategies within the group and on campus; go over the nuts and bolts of what everyone will be doing in their positions (individually and in small teams); evaluate residence halls; have structured conversations with directors in Student Life, Custodial Services, and Recycling and Waste Management; engage in interactive activities to learn about campus sustainability; go on field trips of local compost and recycling facilities; and prepare to start working Friday afternoon with move-in day.


A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (1st program):

The Eco-Reps Program is a partnership between the Office of Sustainability (provides graduate fellow program coordinator and other administrative support), Physical Plant Department (Recycling and Waste Management office provides program guidance and materials), Residence Life (provides wages for Eco-Reps, administrative support, and early move-in), and the Environmental Program (provides program guidance and academic support for the 1-credit course option).


The website URL for 1st Program:
Program name (2nd program):
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Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (2nd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (2nd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (2nd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (2nd program):
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A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):
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The website URL for 2nd program:
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Program name (3rd program):
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Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (3rd program):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (3rd program):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (3rd program):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (3rd program):
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A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (3rd program):
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The website URL for 3rd program:
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Program name (All other programs):
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Number of students to whom peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education is offered (All other programs):
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A brief description of the program, including examples of peer-to-peer outreach activities (All other programs):
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A brief description of how the student educators are selected (All other programs):
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A brief description of the formal training that the student educators receive (All other programs):
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A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (All other programs):
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The website URL for all other programs:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.