<< Back to Report Card
With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Nell Finnigan
Position (in student organization): Program Manager
Date survey submitted: July 20
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
The UMass Amherst Eco-Rep Program is a peer-to-peer environmental education program that seeks to spread awareness about different environmental issues that affect students directly. We focus on educating about specific behaviors that students can alter that will positively affect their impact on the environment. Because students are in a unique situation when they are in the dorms, we as a Program are careful to choose issues that are relevant to that specific demographic. Each residence hall has an Eco-Rep for roughly every 150 students, these Eco-Reps are managed by an Area Eco-Rep in their living area. With each monthly focus, Eco-Reps are responsible for creating educational materials and interacting with their dorm-mates. They are also responsible for coordinating with the other Eco-Reps in their area to hold some type of educational event or display. Area Eco-Reps both monitor for quality, accuracy of information, and assist Eco-Reps in organization and planning. Eco-Reps meet weekly to discuss the monthly focus, plan for that month’s event, and reflect on their experience interacting with their peers that month.
Name of organization: University of Massachusetts Amherst Eco-Rep Program
Number of active members: Approximately 60
Website: www.umass.edu/ecorep
Date of last meeting: May 2009
Frequency of meetings: Weekly
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: As a entire program we have focused on CFL lightbulb replacement and computer settings, phantom loads, sustainable moving out of the dorms, water conservation, and reusable water bottle use.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: Since August of 2008, the Eco-Rep Program has increased the level of environmental awareness amongst the student population and has help individual dorms deduce their electricity use by up to 11% and their water use by 6.6%.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X ] No: In the coming semesters we plan on implementing a water conservation contest where dorms are in competition with each other to reduce their water consumption by the greatest percent.
[ ] Yes. Please list details for each competition.
#1 - Name of competition:
Year initiated:
Frequency of competition:
Participants:
Incentives:
Goal of competition:
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website:
SUSTAINABILITY IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT
3) Does your student government include a specific position or committee dedicated to campus sustainability issues?
[ ] No
[X] Yes. Please describe: At the end of last semester, a Secretary of the Environment position was created on the Student Government President’s Executive Council. The student chosen to fill the position in the coming semester in the Chair of the Student Government Environmental Committee and was one of the first Eco-Reps when the Program was started back in the fall of 2008. She is dedicated to increase UMass Amherst’s commitment to environmental sustainability and has vowed to work closely with the Eco-Rep Program in the coming year.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: The Eco-Rep Program was a vocal advocate at the end of last semester for the creation of a Sustainability Coordinator for UMass Amherst. Thankfully, we were successful in lobbying for such a position.
5) Please list and briefly describe any other student-run organizations related to campus sustainability at your school, and provide URLs if available (e.g., student groups; student government committees; student-run food co-ops, gardens/farms, bike co-ops) and provide contact information of the student leaders, if possible:
- The Student Government Association’s Environmental Committee (SGAEC): The SGAEC was created last year as part of the Student Government on campus to review and rewrite campus policies to help lead the campus toward a more sustainable future. Rachel Dutton is the Chair of this committee. The SGAEC’s website is: http://sites.google.com/site/sgaenvirocommittee/about
- The Sustainable UMass Action Community (SUMAC): SUMAC was recently created during the last semester to give students a place to come together as a community and discuss current environmental issues in a non-threatening environment. The leader of this new student group is Lily Brown.
- Earthfoods Café is a student run cooperative restaurant that provides vegetarian food at an inexpensive price to the UMass community. Simultaneously, Earthfoods provides a cooperative learning enviroment for students who are seeking experience in restaurant management. They can be reached at earthfds@stuaf.umass.edu and their website is: http://www.umass.edu/rso/earthfds/about/.
- Gardenshare is an Registered Student Organization that brings students together who want to learn how to farm organically and sustainability. There is a practicum offered at UMass for students wishing to get credit for their involvement with this student garden. Hannah Hardy-Jacobson coordinates this group.
- The Bike Coop is a a non-profit, collectively and student-run bicycle shop on campus located in the Student Union. They have been in business for nearly 30 years and are committed to bicycle community at UMass Amherst. They can be reached at bikecoop@stuaf.umass.edu and their website is: http://www.umass.edu/rso/bikecoop/2006/index.html.
Questions 6 is for informational purposes only; your response will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
6) Please list any regional or national networks with which your group is affiliated (e.g., Energy Action Coalition/Campus Climate Challenge, Sierra Student Coalition, a state PIRG, a state student sustainability coalition):
-----
Name: Rachel Dutton
Position (in student organization): Chair
Date survey submitted: July 15, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Student Government Association Environmental Committee
Number of active members: 10
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/sgaenvirocommittee/Home
Date of last meeting: May 8, 2009
Frequency of meetings: Once a week
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
Since our first meeting as a committee on January 29, 2009:
· Addressing inconsistent composting practices in UMass eateries with the intent to make composting a hardened policy at these establishments
· Work with UMass Dining Services to go trayless in all four Dining Commons on campus to reduce food waste and consumption of water, energy and soap
· Work with UMass Dining Services to eliminate use of paper cups for drinks to go
· Research current UMass policies to look for areas on campus suitable for green initiatives
· Work to get student representation on UMass Building Committee
· Work to get student representation on the Campus Master Plan Committee
· Work to increase communication between the Student Government Association and its subcommittee the Student Government Association Environmental Committee
· Wrote and submitted a proposal for hiring a Sustainability Coordinator at UMass
· Look into Housing Office policies to learn about HVAC systems in UMass dormitories in order to suggest efficiency improvements
· Obtained student positions on the Environmental Performance Advisory Committee (EPAC)
· Grant proposal for or online “energy dashboard” displays for campus buildings.
· Feasibility study for co-production of Biochar and bioenergy for the UMass Central Heating Plant.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
· Through meetings between a member of the Student Government Association Environmental Committee, a UMass eatery manager and a passionate grad student, composting will be more visible, accessible, and better advertised after this summer (09)
· UMass Dining Services agreed to go trayless in all four dining halls on campus beginning Fall semester 2009
· UMass Dining Services agreed to stop providing paper cups; instead, will distribute stainless steel reusable water bottles with the on-campus meal plan and will make reusable mugs available for purchase
· Working with administrators from Facilities and Campus Planning on campus to recommend appropriate members to serve on the Campus Master Plan Committee (to include 3-4 members from the Student Government Association Environmental Committee pending approval by the Chancellor)
· Proposed the addition of a Secretary of the Environment to serve on the Executive Cabinet of the Student Government Association; position will be held by current Chair of the Student Government Association Environmental Committee and will start in the Fall semester 2009
· Proposal for a Sustainability Coordinator received unanimous support from the Environmental Performance Advisory Committee (EPAC) and was accepted by campus administration; a Coordinator was hired in May 2008
· Working with Sustainability Coordinator on an Advisory Committee with student leaders from other Eco groups on campus; two-way street for advice and recommendations on sustainability, help work on green initiatives proposed by Coordinator, represent student voice
· Grant proposal for “energy dashboard” obtained
· Organizing a Northeast Biochar Symposium for November 13, 2009
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
No.
SUSTAINABILITY IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT
3) Does your student government include a specific position or committee dedicated to campus sustainability issues?
Yes. The recently elected Student Government Association president accepted our request to create a Secretary of the Environment position in the Executive cabinet. The SGA Environmental Committee’s chair will also serve as Secretary of the Environment. Additionally, the SGA Environmental Committee is itself a subcommittee of the Student Government Association.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
5) Please list and briefly describe any other student-run organizations related to campus sustainability at your school, and provide URLs if available (e.g., student groups; student government committees; student-run food co-ops, gardens/farms, bike co-ops) and provide contact information of the student leaders, if possible:
Eco-Rep is a student-run organization. Two student program managers coordinate an environmental focus for each month during the school year. Reps are assigned a floor in an on-campus dormitory, and they communicate the focus with all the students on the floor using creative educational materials.
Program managers: Nell Finnigan, Shalini Jayarama
Program Director (UMass Sustainability Coordinator): Josh Stoffel
http://www.umass.edu/ecorep/
*SUMAC* - *Sustainable UMass Action Community *
A student group focused on community action on sustainability and environmental issues. This group gives students a forum for discussion and relationship building with like minded individuals, and it works to devise action oriented campaigns and projects designed to bring attention to local, state, and global environmental initiatives. (Co-coordinators: Bekah Shaughn & Lily Brown)
*Slow Food Initiative*- A group dedicated to promoting local and justly grown food in the community, and fostering ties with other Pioneer Valley schools to promote local food solutions. This group is committed to supporting local farmers; work with local farmers and school administrators to increase the percentage of local food that the school purchases. (President: Tim West)
*Garden Share- * Gardenshare is a registered student organization at the University of Massachusetts. It allows students to practice sustainable argriculture and organic farming methods on a little less than an acre plot of land located on Tillson Rd in Amherst. This group is run through the Plant and Soil Science Department.
6) Please list any regional or national networks with which your group is affiliated (e.g., Energy Action Coalition/Campus Climate Challenge, Sierra Student Coalition, a state PIRG, a state student sustainability coalition):
*PIRG Affiliation- *
The School is affiliated with MassPIRG. MassPIRG has an office on campus, and a group of students working with them to bridge the gap between environmental and humanitarian campaigns and policies developing across the state and on the national political agenda and student action.
*Campus Climate Challenge*- The MassPIRG chapter at UMass has previously worked with Campus Climate Challenge.
*State Sustainability Coalition Affiliation- *
Massachusetts Power Shift is a non-partisan network of students from around the state advocating for bold, immediate and collaborative solutions to the global climate crisis. There are numerous students at the university who work with this network, and UMass has hosted Mass Power Shift events in the past attracting federal congressmen and local politicians to take part in a student run rally and campaign for state leadership on climate and energy issues.
*Energy Action Coalition -*
This year UMass had over 25 students attend Power Shift 2009 in Washington D.C. a project of Energy Action Coalition. The campus ran a Power Vote campaign during the fall of 2008 preceding the conference garnering over one thousand five hundred signatures from students on the Power Vote platform.
-----
Name: Lillian Brown and Rebekah Shaughnessy
Position (in student organization): Co-Presidents
Date survey submitted: July 21, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: SUMAC (Sustainable UMass Action Community)
Number of active members: 5
Website: In progress
Date of last meeting: 5/5/09
Frequency of meetings: bi-weekly
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[X] No. (not yet) We’re a new student organization that just got off the ground
this past semester.
[ ] Yes. Please list details for each competition.
#1 - Name of competition:
Year initiated:
Frequency of competition:
Participants:
Incentives:
Goal of competition:
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website:
SUSTAINABILITY IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT
3) Does your student government include a specific position or committee dedicated to campus sustainability issues?
[ ] No
[X] Yes. Please describe: There is now an Environmental Committee component of the UMass Student Government that mediates between administrators and the wishes of the students for a more sustainable campus.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: SUMAC was previously an student-let environmental group called SEAA (Students for Environmental Activism and Awareness) under the leadership of UMass’s current Sustainability coordinator Josh Stoffel. Under Josh, the SEAA implemented a wide-spread composting program in on-campus dining areas. SUMAC facilitated a one-day permaculture workshop led by the deepingroots foundation. We made the opportunity available for students at a reduced rate to expose them to the principles of permaculture and grassroots community organizing.
5) Please list and briefly describe any other student-run organizations related to campus sustainability at your school, and provide URLs if available (e.g., student groups; student government committees; student-run food co-ops, gardens/farms, bike co-ops) and provide contact information of the student leaders, if possible:
Eco-Rep Program
Led by: Nell Finnigan
The SGA Environmental Committee
Board Member: Katie MacDonald
Gardenshare (Student-Run on-campus community garden)
Alex Whaley
The Bike Co-op (Student Run Bike-support cooperative)
http://www.umass.edu/rso/bikecoop/2006
Earthfoods (Student Run Non-profit business that bring students vegan and vegetarian fare using only local and organic produce)
http://www.umass.edu/rso/earthfds/about
Questions 6 is for informational purposes only; your response will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
6) Please list any regional or national networks with which your group is affiliated (e.g., Energy Action Coalition/Campus Climate Challenge, Sierra Student Coalition, a state PIRG, a state student sustainability coalition):
<< Back to Report Card