Colorado State University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Eco Leaders are students in the residence halls who help raise awareness about sustainability issues and encourage environmentally-responsible behaviors for an academic year. There is one Eco Leader per residence hall who helps educate students in their hall about sustainability issues such as waste reduction and energy conservation, and helps plan activities and campaigns. Eco Leaders take a required course in the fall (Introduction to Sustainability Engagement) and a required course in the spring (Sustainability in Practice) as part of the program to help connect classroom learning to real-world applications.

Housing & Dining Services (HDS) hires one student representative from each residence hall to serve as a peer educator for 3-5 hours per week for an academic year. Students are invited to apply in the spring with applications and interviews conducted over the summer. A social justice lens is utilized to select Eco Leaders giving underrepresented students and students with limited experience an opportunity to take part.

Eco Leaders begin the academic year with a week-long training before classes begin to learn effective communication, leadership, community-based social marketing, team building, social justice and diversity, and environmental issues. They attend a mid-year retreat to reflect the fall semester’s work and plan for the upcoming spring semester. During the academic year, they attend a weekly class to plan and discuss projects, meet key staff members, learn about university procedures and sustainability issues, and reflect on activities and experiences. Through the required courses, online program guide, and experiential learning, Eco-Leaders are exposed to a variety of sustainability issues. They then work to bring those messages back to their peers in the residence halls in a variety of formats, and to create collaborative relationships with others. Eco Leaders assist with RecycleMania, Green Warrior, annual waste audit, plate waste audit, Earth Week, Leave It Behind, and other related sustainability events and campaigns.

Eco-Leaders sign a contract outlining expectations, and receive a $1,600 reimbursement on their housing costs for the academic year ($800 per semester) in exchange for working 3-5 per week in their role as a student leader. CSU also supports the program by providing two credit courses for the Eco Leaders that count toward the Global Environmental Sustainability interdisciplinary minor.

The Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU) has organized their sustainability efforts through a dedicated student-led environmental affairs department with a paid student leadership position. The Director of Environmental Affairs position and team is an ongoing role that assists with furthering the university's sustainability goals. The department works alongside the President's Sustainability Committee and Student Sustainability Center to promote student-based initiatives. Outreach activities include involvement in Earth Week, passing the Fair Trade Resolution, and collaborating on the Plastic Bag initiative for the campus book store. ASCSU Environmental Affairs organized Bike to Breakfast Stations this year with four different dates, culminating in over 1,000 students served breakfast if they arrived to campus on their bike. The breakfast stands also offered free tune ups and educational material on biking to campus. ASCSU Environmental Affairs also works with the Fraternity and Sorority system at CSU to educate them about energy saving techniques and more. Students go directly to greek houses in order to encourage green living. ASCSU Environmental Affairs also organizes an alternative transportation fair each year in order to educate students on biking, riding the bus, or walking to campus. Additional Events include: A National Sustainability Day on campus Food Day (educates students about sustainable dining and food waste on campus)

The Director of ASCSU-Environmental Affairs is appointed by the CSU Student Body President. The Director then invites any student at CSU to participate in events (including programming, coordinating, participating, and especially educating as all of the events have a peer-to-peer educational component). For more information visit http://ascsu.colostate.edu/executive/environmental-affairs/.

All ASCSU participants are trained in governance and CSU University policy. Additional training and support in sustainability is provided by on campus experts in areas relevant to ASCSU-Environment projects/events. For example, in preparation for a Bike to Campus Event, members will meet with the CSU Alternative Transportation Manager, Parking Services, and the Bike Committee on campus in order to educate students on relevant issues. Informal mentoring is also provided by sustainability staff on campus who assist with resolutions, events, and presentations.

As part of ASCSU, the Environmental Affairs team earn salaries, have access to facilities and office space, and other resources provided by the University and/or student fees (i.e. funding for events and programs).

Rambassadors are funded student positions who work with on-campus and off-campus students to educate them about the alternative transportation options available to them. They help custom tailor safe biking commute routes, bus schedules, etc. Ram Guards are funded student positions who are stationed at strategic points on campus to educate students abut bike safety so that rules about pedestrian/bike/car safety are known and exercised. This helps to support a safe biking experience for everyone. Both programs are ongoing initiatives sponsored and funding by Parking & Transportation Services. For more information visit http://source.colostate.edu/ramguards-rambassadors-enhance-safety-education/

Applicants are interviewed and screened based on their own transportation habits, know-how and enthusiasm, as well as their perceived ability to communicate with and approach their piers.

Students are trained in bike/bus routes and all facets of city-wide alternative transportation options. Ram Guards are specifically trained in bike/pedestrian safety and courtesy.

Both programs are funded and managed by Parking & Transportation Services, under the direct supervision of the Alternative Transportation Manager. Both programs provide stipends to student peer educators.