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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: Peebles Squire
Position (in student organization): Chair
Date survey submitted: 06/25/09
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: VT Coalition for Campus Sustainability
Number of active members: 14 (these are representatives from other environmentally-minded organizations, we are a coalition of student orgs.)
Website: www.vtcoalition.org
Date of last meeting: 4/30/2009
Frequency of meetings: 2/month
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: Moving to increase awareness on campus/sustainability movement. Member organizations participate in one another’s activities, the CCS serves as a networking hub for these activities.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: With Earth Week 2009 in April, the coalition showed it’s first real attempt at planning a large-scale event with the help of our member organizations. A week of more than 20 activities, the event was a massive success in educating the community and increasing awareness.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[X] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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: SGA has established two new exec board positions, a committee and have formed an official partnership with the EC around sustainability, our largest member organization, and VT's largest environmental club.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
Coalition partner PACE (Poverty Awareness Coalition for Equality) recently sponsored “Bike to Uganda,” an event designed to help bring schools to rural areas of the African country.
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 VT Environmental Coalition –
www.theecvt.org
President – Elena Dulys-Nusbaum
Vice Presidents – Alex Funk and Lyndsay McKeever
VT Political Science Club: Emma Kiser
Mountain Justice Blacksburg: Maeve Gould
SEEDS (Seek explore, educate, discover): Robert Jacks
Emerging Green Builders: Jenny Land
GREEN Team: Angella De Soto
greenteam@vt.edu,
SWCS (soil and water conservation society): Christian Bongard
NRRS (New River Recreational Society): Megan Fink
VT Young Democrats: Graham Owens
PACE: Allison Jarnigan
Bike Advocacy Group Tiffany Gross
Residential Hall Federation: Eric Gunter
____
Name: Jackie Pontious
Position (in student organization): President 2008-2009
Date survey submitted: June 29, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Environmental Coalition
Number of active members: 200
Website: http://www.theecvt.org
Date of last meeting: 5/2009
Frequency of meetings: Once a week during school semesters
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
Issues Addressed:
-Campus sustainability
-Wind power
-Coal, "clean coal"
-LEED Building and Certification
-Student outreach/behavioral education
Programs/Initiatives Implemented:
-VT Green Effect Football Game
-Shout Out for Sustainability Forum
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
-Virginia Power Shift 2009:
Just over 400 students from Universities and colleges across the state of Virginia traveled to Blacksburg, VA to educate and empower themselves on fighting climate change in the Commonwealth. Keynote guest speakers included James Hansen, NASA Climatologist and Columbia Professor, Mike Tidwell, Executive Director of Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Jessie Tolkan, Executive Director of Energy Action Coalition and others.
-Sustainable Dining Initiative:
Created to To build student support and use precedents and existing policy from other schools to build a case for:
1. the option of sustainable mugs in every dining facility, and a "for here" option of ceramic mugs at Deet's Place, for use of Virginia Tech students and faculty
2. having uneaten food at dining facilities donated to low-income families rather than throwing it away
3. phasing out paper receipt printing after every single dining purchase
These three initiatives were compiled and written into three separate resolutions that were presented before the Student Government Association. All three were passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed by the student body president.
Progress:
1. Mug program is on verge of implementation; administration has to find mug that works with health code standards. Many mug prototypes have been and are being tested.
2. Some food being diverted from dining halls and donated.
3. Paper receipts have been phased out in D2 and West End; available on request.
-Green Effect Game
In partnership with SGA and the VT GREEN Team, we initiated a Green Effect football game in the Fall 2008, encouraging recycling and environmental awareness during tailgating and football game activities. The SGA and EC and other organizations are now looking to make this initiative an annual event for football seasons at VT.
-National Power Shift
For the past two year, the Environmental Coalition has brought 100+ students to Washington, DC and Maryland
to represent the Virginia Tech student community in Blacksburg.
-Shout Out for Sustainability Forum
In partnership with the University and other student groups, a student forum was hosted for the entire student body to solicit input and criticism of the draft VT campus sustainability plan entitled the VT Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan.
-Earth Week
Facilitated by the Environmental Coalition in Spring 2008, the VT Coalition for Campus Sustainability (http://www.vtcoalition.org/mission/) was created to pressure administration and educate and bring together students for sustainability on our campus. A week of events are hosted every year surrounding Earth Day. During the week of April 19-25th 2009, Earth Week consisted of fairs, speakers, trainings, showcases and more to raise awareness about sustainability and educate the Virginia Tech community on their personal and collective impacts on our planet.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[X] No
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:
As a result of the 2009 student government elections, the SGA team now has two subsequent positions focused on campus sustainability of a Director of Sustainability and Director of Green Initiatives who have also formed an advisory committee. This advisory committee will be working very closely with our organization and there will be a lot of collaboration between our groups and other student organizations involved in the Coalition for Campus Sustainability.
There are HUGE plans to do a lot of great things - student organizations on this campus have never worked together at this level before.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
-As a result of the 2008 Green Effect football game, The SGA, EC, VT GREEN Team and other organizations are now looking to make this initiative an annual event for football seasons at VT.
-Earth Week in 2009 was uniquely organized by the VT Coalition for Campus Sustainability, a coalition of student organizations founded by the Environmental Coalition to support sustainability on the VT campus. Prior to 2009, Earth Week was single handedly organized by the Environmental Coalition but will now be an initiative undertaken by the Coalition for Campus Sustainability in years to come.
- We are working with the SGA, Residence Hall Federation, Sustainable Food Core, and Green Team to put together a sustainability living guide that will be distributed to 20,000 students suring sustainability week. Its made "by students, for students." This is a joint initative with Dining Services to give out a reusable bag and this guide.
- There are various working groups that looked at different aspects of campus sustainability
- The EC has a strong relationship with the university administration. We have a voting seat on the Energy and Sustainability Committee and participated in the development of the Virginia Tech Climate Action Committment
- We keep constant communication with the Office of Sustainability
- Not specifically an initiative, but our President will be attending one of our first meetings next fall to show his strong support for our group and our involvement with campus initiatives
- We also meet regularly with our undergraduate representative to the Board of Visitors: she was a member of Leadership Tech Environmental Sustainability and wants to help us further these initatives
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:
- SGA Sustainability committee
- Sustainable Food Core & their student farm
- Coalition for Campus Sustainability
- SEEDS
- Blacksburg Bike Co-op
- YToss
- Mountain Justice Blacksburg
- Bike Advocacy
- Environmental Student Organization
- Leadership Tech: Environmental Sustainability
- IDEAS?
- Farms and Fields Project
Questions 6 is for informational purposes only; your response will NOT be included in theReport 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):
Energy Action Coalition
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Appalachian Voices
Sierra Club
Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition
Mountain Justice
Appalachian Sustainable Development
_____
Name: Maeve Gould
Position (in student organization): Technically I was listed as President last year, but we are a non-hierarchical organization.
Date survey submitted: 6/30/09
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Mountain Justice Blacksburg
Number of active members: 10
Website: www.mountainjustice.org.vt.edu
Date of last meeting: 5/4/09
Frequency of meetings: once a week
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
Issues:
raising awareness in Blacksburg on mountaintop removal coal mining, volunteering, environmental justice
Programs:
- brought speakers such as the Prenter Water Fund, the Sludge Safety Project, the False Solutions Panel, The Lost Film Festival, the Beehive Collective, Lorelei Blankenship, the Concerned Citizens of Giles County
- workshops on non-violent direct action, consensus organizing, the life cycle of coal
- attended conventions such as VA Powershift 2008, PowerShift 2009, Weekend in Wise, Mountain Justice Spring Break, Mountain Justice Summer
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: We have reached out to a lot of new audiences since August 2008 and made many more people aware of mountaintop removal. We spoke to some classes at VA Tech and have recruited new members at organization fairs. We have volunteered helping coal-fields residents with flood relief, fixing up their homes, gardening, etc.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X ] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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: SGA Sustainability Committee
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: n/a
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 Environmental Coalition - www.theecvt.org
Bike Advocacy - www.vtbikeadvocacy.org
The Burning Book - www.burning-book.org
Global Justice Alliance - www.justvt.org
____
Name: Allison Candelora
Position (in student organization):Co-Coordinator of Green Team
Date Survey Submitted:
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability
organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Green Team
Number of active members: 20-25
Website: http://www.recycle.vt.edu/greenteam/
Date of last meeting: 5-6-09 (Angie, I am not sure the exact date)
Frequency of meetings: every two weeks
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: We have
addressed and educated Virginia Tech students and faculty on sustainability and
recycling along with human involvement with the world. In addition, we have
contributed education on ways in which humans can be have a less negative
impact on the environment, encouraging students and faculty to do more.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: over 150 people educated,
numerous “Recyclers of the Day” have been caught, awareness spread, D2 (a dining
hall on campus) got rid of trays (reducing a large percentage of food waste),
paper recycling established all over campus, research for biogradeable to go
containers for dining halls, recycling in all academic and dining buildings and
dorms.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[*] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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
*] Yes. Please describe: Sustainability and Green Initiatives Committees, each
with a director and 5 members
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: Sustainability
Week and Picnic, Earth Day activities, Recycler of the Day
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:
Food and Farms is a local vendor in Owens
Dining Hall in which local and organic food is offered for sale for students
and faculty to eat. The website is http://www.ext.vt.edu/. Another student
organization is Environmental Coalition. This is a student run and maintained
organization designed to promote environmental awareness and change for
positive change of human interaction with the environment. The website is
http://www.theecvt.org/.
____
Name: John Harbin
Position (in student organization): Previous year's co-director of event. Member of Leadership Team.
Date survey submitted: 6/19/09
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Ytoss?, a YMCA Student Program
Number of active members: 100+ people involved through Leadership Team, Planning Committee, and volunteers
Website: http://www.ymcasp.org.vt.edu /
Date of last meeting: During Ytoss? event - 2nd week of May 2009
Frequency of meetings: At least weekly, and more frequent as the event approached
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: Reducing
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: Don't know the specifics, but we collected an equal or greater amount of items than last year, involved more students and community members, and developed a more comprehensive protocol for the collection and sorting of items.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X ] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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: I know SGA has a sustainability program, Alex Funk (other Co-Director) would know much more about this than myself though.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
Ytoss? is a self-sustained event and does not have any other "projects" or "activities". However, AEA does and Alex again would know much more about this for the past year.
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:
I think you probably know about all of these. I'm at work so I don't really have time to list them all, sorry!
____
Name: Graham Owen
Position (in student organization): Environmental Chair
Date survey submitted: 7/17/2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Young Democrats at Virginia Tech
Number of active members: 50+
Website: www.yd.org.vt.edu
Date of last meeting: April 21, 2009
Frequency of meetings: weekly
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: 2008 Presidential election, Democratic Primary for the 2009 gubernatorial election, environmental issues, women’s issues, labor/consumer issues, LGBT issues, etc.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: successful presidential election campaign, hosting/staffing events for gubernatorial candidates, Adopt-a-Park volunteers, Take Back the Night women’s rights march, successful dialogue with student body regarding a proposed Wal Mart store in Blacksburg, promotion of LGBT events and lobbying against California’s recent plebiscite Proposition 8.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ x] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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
[ ] Yes. Please describe: Environmental Coalition SGA member
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: We man an annual booth on Earth Day describing club activity and support for sustainability related issues. We are heavily involved in the promotion of environmentally sound policy as well as politicians that champion a path to sustainability. Many of our members are also members and chairs of the Environmental Coalition and Coalition for Campus Sustainability.
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 Coalition for Campus Sustainability is a student run coalition of groups from a diverse array of interests united in the name of sustainability. The coalition includes our organization, the Young Democrats, as well as the Green Team, PACE, Political Science Club, Bike Advocacy Group, Soil and Water Conservation Society, and many others.
____
Name: Megan Fink
Position (in student organization): Activist Coordinator for the Virginia Tech Recreation Society
Date survey submitted: June 16, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability
organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Recreation Society
Number of active members: 10-15
Website: N/A
Date of last meeting: May 5, 2009
Frequency of meetings: the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: Trail
maintenance, Leave No Trace (program discussing how to leave a camp site just
the way you found it), climate change issues, and other current events in
environmental news
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: volunteer work done at
Smith Mountain Lake for trail maintenance, attended Leave No Trace program,
attended Virginia and National PowerShift conferences to address climate change
and other
relevant environmental issues
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for
your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X ] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
N/A. We show support and participate in sustainability events/projects.
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 Virginia Tech Coalition for Campus Sustainability
~The Green Team
~The Environmental Coalition - Elena Dulys-Nusbaum
~Virginia Tech's SGA has recently created two new executive board positions that
will deal specifically with sustainability - the Director of Sustainability and
the Director of Green Initiatives. These two positions will
have their own committee that will work on a variety of sustainability
initiatives.
____
Name: Allison Jarnagin
Position (in student organization): Director
Date survey submitted: 6-17-09
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: PACE' (Poverty Awareness Coalition for Equality)
Number of active members: 20
Date of last meeting: 6-3-09
Frequency of meetings: Once a week during the school year (once a month during the summer)
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: Our biggest project started was fundraising to build a school in rural Uganda, Africa for children who do not have access to any school.
Other projects included:
- Bringing speakers to campus
- Fundraising for local food banks and MCEAP (Montgomery Country Emergency Assistance Program)
- Hurricane Relief for Haiti
- Contributing to other humanitarian causes
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
We raised around 3,500 dollars with our first ever "Bike to Uganda". This money will go towards building a school in rural Uganda. We have a goal of $45,000 to reach over the years.
Other projects progress:
We held numerous fundraisers to spread awareness of our projects and raise funds.
- (Bringing speakers to campus) We brought to speak on campus Mountain Justice advocates to speak about mountain top removal and Bryan Cloyd to speak about service to others
- (Fundraising for local food banks and MCEAP (Montgomery Country Emergency Assistance Program)) We donated numerous bags of food to food pantries, helped collect and assemble boxes of food for a Thanksgiving food drive, and donated $400 to the MCEAP
- (Hurricane Relief for Haiti) We donated $2,500 to a non-profit free clinic in Passe Catabious, Haiti for Hurricane relief, providing shelter, food, and water to victims.
- (Contributing to other humanitarian causes) We donated $100 to Appalachian Service Project (ASP), $100 to Partners in Health (PIH), and $100 dollars to Hillel to provide basic essentials to children in the Gaza Strip affected by bombings. Also PACE' contributed to Earth Week at Virginia Tech and was a very active member in the Campus Coalition for Sustainability.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please list details for each competition. (sort of)
#1 - Name of competition: Bike to Uganda - This was a week long event on campus. We set up stationary bikes and challeged students and staff to raise money per mile and bike the distance from Blacksburg to Uganda to raise money to build a school in rural Uganda. This was a race against UVA who held their competition on the same week as us. (although this was not necessarily a campus sustainability competition this was a bike race/competition with UVA trying to raise the most money that would go to building schools in Uganda to provide children the chance to go to school, most for the first time ever. Education in developing countries is important in sustainability in development in those countries and around the world. So although this project is not directly related to sustainability at Tech, we believe a school is a key component to future sustainability in Uganda and other countries.)
Year initiated: 2008
Frequency of competition: Once a year (this year was our first annual)
Participants: hundreds of participants came and biked through out the week
Incentives: Raffle prizes, exercise and the biggest incentive is that once we raise enough money to build the school the students attending the school will wear Tech colors and their will be a sign out front with "Contributed by Virginia Tech"
Goal of competition: Raise $45,000, bike 7,468 miles, educated hundreds of children
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced: no energy used for this competition
Lasting effects of competition: eventually a permanent school will be built. We have not reached our goal yet. We raised 3,500
#2 - 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: The Director of Sustainability and the Director of Green Initiatives. They collaborate with various student groups to work on green projects that are important to the student body and create a more sustainable campus community.
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:
president - Tiffany Gross
Hens for Haiti
President - Christina Newman
____
Name: Elena Dulys-Nusbaum
Position (in student organization): Leader/ "President" on paper
Date survey submitted: June 18, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Virginia Tech Sustainable Food Corps
Number of active members:
Website: http://vtsustainablefoodcorps.wordpress.com
Date of last meeting: June 15, 2009 ** frequent meetings. Go to calendar on website.
Frequency of meetings: About twice/week
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
1. Created a Student Farm
2. Created an educational blog for students
3. Promoted local and sustainable food venue in dining halls
4. Put together photo petition asking administration for local foods
5. Put on community film festival ("feastival") with film on organic foods
6. Implemented a food diversion program
7. Created and put on "Food Sustainability Day"
8. Met with student leaders from: Environmental Coalition, Poverty Awareness Coalition for Equality, Student Dietetics Association, Fitness and Nutrition Club, Global Justice Alliance, Coalition for Campus Sustainability, and Student Government Association in efforts to collaborate on various student-driven initiatives.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
1. Formed a Student Advisory Board for the Farm that meets weekly and has created vision statements for the farm. Plot has been mowed and flagged/mapped for individual plots. Plants have been moved from Kentlands to the student farm for use.
2. Blog is updated usually at least once daily. Links to other student organization, good food blogs, farm to college programs, and ways to find sustainable food have been built. A calendar has been posted where events and meetings are updated.
3. Created a host of educational materials and posters... have been put up around all dining halls and the local/sustainable/organic venue Farms & Fields Project in Owens Dining Hall.
4. Photo petition was completed in the late spring and a link to a video featuring it can be found on our web site.
5. Film Feastival was a success at the Lyric Theater downtown in early May. About 30-40 community members and students attended and it featured a panel including a farmer, a professor of dietetics, a student, and others.
6. Food diversion has began on a small scale, with hopes to expand the program. More information on updates: mjhannan@vt.edu
7. Food Sustainability Day was a success during Earth Week. The SFC promoted the programs and boosted attendance to all programs. A tasting of food was put on by Farms & Fields Project and the SFC packed the panel put on later that day put on by Dining Services by hosting an event with Fitness and Nutrition Club with a group dinner to Farms & Fields Project.
8. The SFC is now a member of the Coalition for Campus Sustainability and will be sending a representative there weekly in the Fall.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X ] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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: Two executive positions have been created: The Director of Sustainability and the Director of Green Initiatives. Each position holds respective committees and will be working on substantial projects.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
see above under issues activities
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:
see survey for Environmental Coalition
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: Marissa Duff
Position (in student organization): Vice President / Incoming President
Date survey submitted: June 17, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability
organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Soil and Water Conservation Society
Number of active members: 10
Website: http://www.swcs.org.vt.edu/home.html
Date of last meeting: April 28, 2009
Frequency of meetings: once every 3 weeks
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: Careers in
Conservation Symposium, Educational training, Save Our Streams, yard work
fundraising
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
The Careers in Conservation Symposium was held on April 7th and had a
great turnout of 30 students and 4 speakers.
Project Aquatic WILD training was held in November and was largely
attended.
Save Our Streams trips were conducted at least once a month in the fall and
spring and 4 people were certified in April.
There were also several yard work events for various professors providing
funding for the organization.
A new activity implemented was a spring activity/meeting with the Virginia
State Chapter of SWCS; this included a tour of the Biological Systems
StReAMs Lab and a cook-out after.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions
for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[X ] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
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:
The VT SGA has created two new executive board positions to address
sustainability: the Director of Susatinability and the Director of Green
Initiatives. Both positions will have their own working committees that will be
working on campus wide environmental initatives.
The Environmental Coalition and the Coalition for Campus Sustainability are
two major organizations on campus that are dedicated to sustainability. The
Coalition for Campus Sustainability is a relatively new organization which
brings together all interested clubs on campus to address sustainability.
____
Name: Nathan Latka
Position (in student organization): Director of Green Initiatives
Date survey submitted: June 11th, 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
Number of active members: 46+
Website: www.sga.vt.edu
Date of last meeting: June 11th 2009
Frequency of meetings: weekly
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
1) Green Effect Football Game
Recyclable trash bags were handed out to tailgaters for collection of bottles and cans, and were picked up post-game to measure the amount of recycling that could be accomplished.
2) Big Event [Green Edition]
Prospective program 09-10 focused on volunteering in the community with a “green tint”. Ranging from prospective activities including assembling compost stations, installing CFL’s, painting with low VOC paint, and others are in the pipeline. The Director of Sustainability and Director of Green Initiatives will work with the student body to help integrate such green principles not only on the campus, but also into the surrounding community.
3) Positional Expansion
- iChange
- Director of Sustainability
-Director of Green Initiatives
-Respective committees
The 09-10 SGA team added on positions in order to focus in on specific implementation of green events. These positions include iChange, DoS, and DoGI. iChange was created to “develop a contest series that will occur throughout the year. Each contest will address a problem on campus by utilizing the talent of the Virginia Tech student body. For example, a potential contest could involve a photography series identifying areas on campus which could benefit from green initiatives. The best photographs and proposal for improvement would win a prize, and then the Director of iChange would identify the appropriate party to act upon the proposal. In addition, while multiple contests will be hosted throughout each semester; this director will identify a capstone year-long contest which will be based upon student proposals regarding the largest campus concern. The winning student will be given financial support to enact their proposal and address the concern.”
The Director of Sustainability (DoS) was created to “cultivate relationships with various environmental groups on campus to promote sustainable practices at Virginia Tech. Specific responsibilities will include collaborating with housing & dining services to reduce the carbon footprint of the Virginia Tech student body and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle for the community. In addition, this individual will work in conjunction with the Director of Green Initiatives to manage a committee.”
The Director of Green Initiatives (DoGI) was created to “focus primarily on programs related to sustainability. These may include: The Green Effect game, The Big Event: Green Edition, and assisting with the implementation of a university-wide recycling program. This director will work closely with the Director of iChange to develop a contest related to sustainability. Finally, this individual will work in conjunction with the Director of Sustainability to manage a committee.”
4) Green Effect Basketball Game
This is a prospective program to mimic the Green Effect Football Game. This will help establish and encourage efforts towards the university wide recycling program. Lessons learned from the Green Effect Football Game will be enacted here.
5) University wide recycling program
This is a PILOT program to develop a bin distribution and collection strategy. It will stem from Green Effect Games where we will learn and expand procedures for maximum effectiveness. This program will include an online function as a user interface in which recycling measures can be tracked and measured.
6) Reusable Bags on Campus
We are working collaboratively with RHF, EC, Dining Services, and Res Life to give everyone a Reusable Bag by Sustainability Week, give everyone a Sustainable Living Guide, with tips on how to be more sustainable, getting CFLs sold on campus, and having resuable mugs and to-go containers in the dining halls. Part of the initiative is to be sure that the products are US produced to decrease the embodied energy in the product. Less shipping and packaging costs as a result of US production is in line with our sustainable goals.
7) Sustainability Week (October 11-17th)
Link: http://www.recycle.vt.edu/sustain/
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
1) First Green Effect Game held on Nov. 22nd at a large participation rate. Plans are currently underway to not only attain status quo for this year’s Green Effect Football game but to expand it. The development of a home game recycling program will be announced at this year’s GEG and actual data will be collected on amount of waste collected, type collected, and the subtraction from the carbon footprint the recycling returned. For updates stay tuned to the SGA website: www.sga.vt.edu
2) The BEGE will occur in the spring and will be the topic of brainstorming after the GEG. Because it is a proposed program, we want to leave all the option on the table with regard to size, scale, and effectiveness.
3) Each position, iChange, DOGI, and DOS has already integrated their green social capita to create a network including the SGA that connects all or most of the green action committees on campus. Alex Funk, myself- Nathan Latka, and Lauren Fialkow have all been actively working and developing programs. More importantly we have been working and focusing on implementation and developing a 30+ person committee to help the programs reach their maximum potential.
4) The Green Effect Basketball Game will be discussed among the committees and environmental groups after the Green Effect Football Game. Alex and Nathan have begun talks with Alex Boggs and Kaitlyn Tiplady- Director and AD of Cassell guard about the prospective Green Effect Basketball Game. The intent is definitely present.
5) After auditing our home games and the subsequent GEG, this data will be used to build a website that will continue to develop and raise awareness about the importance of zero waste games. This is and will only be the first measure we take to begin to grow this program.
6) This initiative has really begun taking shape this summer. Hard and diligent work from Angie Desoto along with other individuals and groups, including the SGA has almost made this program a reality. A meeting was recently held with most involved parties. Ranging from production to marketing to implementation. Financing has been secured and now minor issues like getting images and distribution schemes together are the main focus. The hope is to distribute the bags prior to or during sustainability week ‘09.
7) Idea tossing has begun in relation to enhancing sustainability week this year to include the announcement of SGA programs and really divulge into student acceptance and application of such programs. More information about the status quo program can be found at http://www.recycle.vt.edu/sustain/.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for
your campus and/or with other colleges?*
[ X ] No (Plans to embrace this year under new directorship and positions)
[ ] Yes. Please list details for each competition.
Prospective preliminary idea: Competition among dorms to strive for lowest energy usage weekly
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: See # 3 under Student Organizations.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or
projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: A huge step in the continuation of green initiatives and sustainability at tech was the passage of VTCACSP final draft 3-9-09.pdf. It is basically an all encompassing exploration of what we can push for here at tech to become more sustainable and green.
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:*
- Environmental Student Organization at Virginia Tech
Raising campus awareness about environmental issues and being active towards local environmental clean up. Also to organize events such as camping and hiking to promote environmental interest. Contact ktupham@vt.edu
- Interior Designers for Education And Sustainability (IDEAS)
Community service, educating members about sustainability, issues in the profession. Have speakers and reps from firms visit and speak. Field trips. http://www.ideas.org.vt.edu
- Leadership Tech: Environmental Sustainability
To promote Environmental Awareness and sustainable living.
-The Environmental Coalition
The Environmental Coalition of Virginia Tech is the core organization that unites, educates, and motivates students, faculty, and community members to pursue green initiatives. http://www.theecvt.org/
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:Sibie Ohumay
Position (in student organization): President
Date survey submitted: June 19, 2009
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability
organization in which you have a leadership role. We strive to make our
members aware of sustainable practices in Interior Design by bringing in vendors,
representatives from firms, and more. We also share our knowledge with the
neighboring community.
Name of organization: Interior Designers for Education and Sustainability
(IDEAS)
Number of active members: 70
Website: www.ideas.org.vt.edu
Date of last meeting: May 1, 2009
Frequency of meetings: Once Weekly (Fridays)
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008: More
member
involvement and more variety of activities planned
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008: accomplished by
having
trips, workshops, socials, and community service activities
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for
your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X ] No
[ ] 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:
#2 - 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: Environmental Coalition
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or
projects that you or your group has initiated at your school: We initiated 'Make
the Switch' which became a group that informed the Virginia Tech and
Blacksburg community about sustainable lighting solutions such as compact fluorescent
light bulbs and their effect on the environment compared to incandescent.
____
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