Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.83
Liaison Parker Long
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Virginia Commonwealth University
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.21 / 8.00 Joseph Costa
Sustainability Projects and Program Coordinator
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Total number of graduates from degree programs (i.e. majors, minors, concentrations, certificates, and other academic designations):
7,408

Number of students that graduate from programs that have adopted at least one sustainability learning outcome:
2,972

Percentage of students who graduate from programs that have adopted at least one sustainability learning outcome:
40.12

Do the figures reported above cover one, two, or three academic years?:
One

Does the institution specify sustainability learning outcomes at the institution level (e.g. covering all students)?:
No

Does the institution specify sustainability learning outcomes at the division level (e.g. covering particular schools or colleges within the institution)?:
Yes

A list or brief description of the institution level or division level sustainability learning outcomes:

College of Humanities and Sciences, and VCU Life Sciences, all have students who graduate with sustainability learning outcomes.

For example, students who are members of VCU Life Sciences are required to be able to do at least three of the following:

Gather, evaluate and process sustainability information.
Use communication skills as a part of on-going dialogue on sustainability.
Use problem-solving skills related to ethical sustainability questions.
Use problem-solving skills related to environmental sustainability questions.
Use problem-solving skills related to economic sustainability.
Use problem-solving skills related to social and political sustainability questions.
Use problem-solving skills related to managerial sustainability questions.
Additionally all students going through STEM degree programs will graduate with sustainability learning outcomes as part as their required course offerings.

The college of Humanities learning outcomes include:
Prepares lifelong learners to participate actively as engaged and responsible citizens.
Propels scientific research and scholarship to improve the human condition, cure and treat diseases, and promote healthy environments.
Grounds us in our history, critically examines our present human condition, and empowers students to create more equitable local and global communities.
Provides communities with a passionate and creative workforce that serves as a powerful engine for economic development and innovative solutions to problems.


Does the institution specify sustainability learning outcomes at the program level (i.e. majors, minors, concentrations, degrees, diplomas, certificates, and other academic designations)?:
Yes

A list or brief description of the program level sustainability learning outcomes (or a list of sustainability-focused programs):

The following sustainability learning objectives were approved to guide the sustainability academics effort at VCU. Classes that meet three or more of these objectives are considered sustainability courses and are designated as such in the catalog:
a.The student will identify the linkages between human and natural systems across multiple scales.
b.The student will be able to do at least three of the following:
i. Gather, evaluate and process sustainability information.
ii. Use communication skills as a part of on-going dialogue on sustainability.
iii. Use problem-solving skills related to ethical sustainability questions.
iv. Use problem-solving skills related to environmental sustainability questions.
v. Use problem-solving skills related to economic sustainability questions.
vi. Use problem-solving skills related to social and political sustainability questions.
vii. Use problem-solving skills related to managerial sustainability questions.

Additionally we have defined "program level learning outcomes" as being part of a program that required students to take a "sustainability" course defined as above and in AC1 as part of program requirements. These majors include Biology, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Chemistry, Education, Environmental Studies, Health Admin/Services, International Studies, Engineering, Nursing, Political Science, Public Policy and Administration, General Science, Social Work, Sociology, Sustainable Innovation, Urban Planning, and Urban Revitalization, are all examples of major areas of study that graduate students with sustainability learning outcomes.


Do course level sustainability learning outcomes contribute to the figure reported above (i.e. in the absence of program, division, or institution level learning outcomes)?:
No

A list or brief description of the course level sustainability learning outcomes and the programs for which the courses are required:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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.