Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.06
Liaison Brad Spanbauer
Submission Date June 18, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 2.00 Brian Kermath
Sustainability Director
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
Yes or No
Active student groups focused on sustainability Yes
Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems Yes
Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes No
Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills No
Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles No
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences Yes
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution Yes
Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions ---
Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives No

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) has been an active participant in campus sustainability efforts, and events. The Social Justice club is devoted to diversity, inclusion, and social justice. The Student Garden club plans events and practices sustainable farming techniques on campus.


The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:

The Third Avenue Gardens area includes an area set aside for individual student garden plots. One of the main rules is no chemical use. The Student Garden Club organizes the student gardeners to distributes plots, maintain the site and report issues to Facilities Management (e.g. pest control). The university provides materials for mulching to control weeds.


The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
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A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

Each Semester has a week-long event week: the Earth Charter Community Summit in October and Earth Week in April. The Sustainability Office provides at least one day of programming specific to campus issues like alternative transportation, landscaping, green building, alternative energy, waste management. Panel discussions have included updates on campus sustainability plans and coordination with city and school district sustainability plans. The Sustainability Office has also been a financial supporter of promotional materials and for events that bring new perspectives to campus sustainability, such as the TrashFormation Art project. A third event week relevant to sustainability was added in 2010: Social Justice Week.


The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

The Gail Floether Steinhilber Art Gallery is committed to the enrichment of cultural life on campus, in the community and throughout the Fox Valley. The gallery exists primarily to serve UW Oshkosh students and present work that is intriguing, inspiring, thought provoking, and at times socially challenging, yet always in keeping with the university's institutional excellence.

Works by local, regional and nationally recognized artists, as well as by the university's students, faculty and staff are exhibited in the gallery. Exhibitions are planned, promoted and installed by the gallery committee, which is composed of students, a staff adviser and a community representative.


The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:

The Xpeditions office, of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, organizes outdoor recreation opportunities for students. They provide training and equipment. Trips vary by season and include biking, hiking, camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Activities in natural areas follow Leave No Trace Principles.


The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:

Through the new USP students are learning sustainability as one of the three essential questions and learning outcomes of the University. The USP courses are designed around the three themes of sustainability, intercultural knowledge, and civic learning. For more information go to point AC-2.


The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

The sustainability advisors offer advise and training to students in resident halls on suitable living practices. Programs are created each semester to focus on conservation of resources.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:

The Sustainability office offers six different STEP intern positions focused on different aspects of sustainability on campus. Intern positions are also available at the Environmental Research and and Innovation Center (ERIC). Students are able to gain experience working both in and out of the lab doing water quality testing, biogas potential, and custom research.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
---

The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
---

The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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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.