| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 58.99 |
| Liaison | Deborah Steinberg |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Carnegie Mellon University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
M. Shernell
Smith Coordinator of Student Development Student Affairs |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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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 | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives | Yes |
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The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
There are several student groups focused on sustainability at Carnegie Mellon University. They include Sustainable Earth, Net Impact, Engineers Without Borders, Heinz College Smart Growth Club, Solar Splash and Pugwash.
Detailed descriptions of each of these groups and links to their individual websites and contact information for their student leaders can be found at the Environment at CMU website "Get Involved" section: http://www.cmu.edu/environment/get-involved/student-initiatives.html
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The website URL where information about student groups is available:
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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 first garden located on campus was initiated by a student group, Sustainable Earth, and is located next to the Solar Decathlon House behind Donner Hall. This garden area is 350 sq ft. In 2012, Facilities Management added four 6 x 3 raised beds in the Peace Garden, which added another 72 sq ft. for a total of 422 sq ft of garden space campus. Students planted vegetables in this area with help from children enrolled in our Children's School. The newest garden is the Winthrop Street Community Garden in the Oakland residential area. It is a city lot with raised beds available for students and neighbors to plant flowers and vegetables. CulinArt, our university dining service provider, offers a Farmers Market weekly throughout the semester. Nearby, Phipps Conservatory offers a Farmers Market during the summer and fall.
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The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
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A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
"Net Impact is a network of emerging business leaders committed to using the power of business to create a better world.”
The Net Impact chapter at the Tepper School of Business has a mission to promote the education and understanding of business ethics and corporate sustainability and responsibility among MBA students and other interested graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University. Net Impact views their organizational mission in terms of the triple bottom line – enhancing people, profit, and environment.
One of Net Impact's ongoing projects, is to sponsor Pro Bono consulting in partnership with the Consulting Club at Carnegie Mellon.Teams of students are working with 10 local organizations in the Pittsburgh area to address specific issues. Projects include business & strategic planning, procurement & operations analysis and marketing planning. Students are working with nonprofit organizations ranging from charter schools to low income senior citizen apartments to social enterprises.
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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:
Carnegie Mellon University does not have a student-managed socially responsible investment fund through which students are able to develop socially responsible investment skills and experience.
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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:
Apple Fest
October 7, 2014, 11:00am - 6:00 pm, Merson Courtyard, Cohon University Center
Join members of the university community for fresh air, fresh food and outdoor fun! Festivities include: a pick-your-own pumpkin cart; a Farmer's Market featuring seasonal apples, apple cider, and garden fresh produce; chef tastings and demonstrations; live music; and much more! The festival is brought to you by CMU campus partners: Healthy Campus; the CMU community garden; CulinArt; Dining Services; Environmental Health and Safety; Environment@CMU; and the Peer Health Advocates.
Sustainability Pioneers: Short Documentaries on Energy Transition
October 7, 7:00pm Mellon Institute Auditorium (enter on S. Bellefield)
Sustainability Pioneers is a Southwestern Pennsylvania-based series of short documentaries visualizing a bridge from our fossil fuel-based economy to an economy based on renewable energy and sustainable living. The series is produced by Kirsi Jansa, a documentary filmmaker and journalist and the producer of "Gas Rush Stories," short documentaries on shale gas exploration. The film will be followed by a presentation from Rachel Carson scholar and energy consultant Patricia DeMarco, titled "Bridging to a Fossil Free Future."
Building a More Resilient Pittsburgh: Climate Change Challenges and Opportunities
October 14, 2014, 6:00-8:30pm, Cohon University Center, Carnegie Mellon University
Join the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research as we celebrate our 10th anniversary with a community forum on climate change in the Pittsburgh region. The event will feature local experts and informed discussion on the topic of climate change.
Know Your GMOs
October 18, 6:30-9:00pm, Connan Room, Cohon University Center Carnegie Mellon University
Learn about local food producers going GMO-free in Pittsburgh. Speakers include Trevett Hooper, owner and chef of Legume and the Butterjoint, Bryan Petrak, Reserach and Development Director of NuGo Nutrition, Denise Caruso, Senior Reseracher, Engineering and Public Policy at CMU, and Justin Pizzella, General Manager of the East End Food Co-Op.
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Annual Conference and Expo
October 26-29, 2014, Portland, Oregon
The AASHE annual conference is one of the largest stages in North America for higher education sustainability thought leadership. Attendees from around the world share innovations, activities, frameworks, learning outcomes, tools, strategies, research, theory and leadership initiatives that are changing the face of sustainability in higher education. Carnegie Mellon will be well represented at this year's conference with student, staff and faculty presenters.
Energy for the Power of 32: 32 Counties, 4 States, 1 Energy Future
Thursday, December 11, 2014, 8:30am - 3:15pm, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh
Establishing a baseline and catalyzing a regional energy plan and strategy
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The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
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A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
February 9, 2013
To See You Naked Is To Remember The Earth:' Love and Nature in Classical Music
With Valentine's Day approaching, Carnegie Mellon University's Rob Fallon, who specializes in music and nature, speaks with TAF host Jennifer Szweda Jordan about love, nature, and music. He shares selections from George Crumb and Joseph Canteloube.
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The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
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A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The Explorer's Club at Carnegie Mellon University is a student run organization dedicated to bringing together people with an interest in the outdoors since 1959. The Club organizes activities such as rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, caving, hiking, backpacking, flat and white water boating, sailing, skydiving, mountain biking, scuba diving, and more. More information about club activities can be found here: http://www.cmuexplorers.org/home.htm
Pittsburgh Connections is a program run through the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Activities is generously funded by the RK Mellon Foundation. The program strives to engage students in outdoor recreation throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. The core goals of these recreational activities are to help students develop and maintain a physically active lifestyle, build leadership skills and increase their appreciation for the Western Pennsylvania region. More information about the program can be found here: http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/studentactivities/pghconnections/index.html
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The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
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A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The Steinbrenner Institute along with the Office of the Vice Provost for Education and the Division of Student Affairs sponsor the Distinguished Lecture Series in Environmental Science,Technology, and Policy. A topic or theme for the lecture series is developed early in the fall semester, and speakers who have expertise in that specific theme are invited to campus for a series of talks that are free and open to the campus community and the community at large. The theme informs other sustainability related events and activities offered on campus throughout the academic year.
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The website URL where information about the theme is available:
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A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The Sustainability House is part of Carnegie Mellon University's Themed Living program, which provides students with the opportunity to live in a community based on a common theme or interest, surrounded by other residents who share the same passion.
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The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
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A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
Facilities Management offers Green Practices Internships for students during each semester and over the summer.
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The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
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A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
Carnegie Mellon University does not administer a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions.
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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 Healthy Campus Initiative includes Environmental Health Issues
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The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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.