Colorado State University
EN-1: Student Educators Program

Eco Leaders are students in the residence halls and apartments who help raise awareness about sustainability issues and encourage environmentally-responsible behaviors for an academic year. There are 18 Eco Leaders who help educate students about sustainability issues such as waste reduction, energy conservation, sustainable transportation, etc. Eco Leaders in the Residence Halls 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 as well as 4 for Aggie Village (apartment living) to serve as a peer educators for 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, which includes a two day training retreat at the CSU Mountain Campus, 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 on 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 with 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 and apartments in a variety of formats, to create collaborative relationships with others. Eco Leaders assist with RecycleMania, Green Warrior, annual waste audit, plate waste audits, Earth Week, Choose Meatless Monday, Leave It Behind, Move In and other related sustainability events and campaigns and they receive training on all of these initiatives before jumping in.

Eco Leaders sign a contract outlining expectations, and receive a $2,000 reimbursement on their housing costs for the academic year ($1000 per semester) in exchange for engaging their peers 5 per week. CSU also supports the program by providing two credit courses for the Eco Leaders that count toward the Global Environmental Sustainability interdisciplinary minor. Housing & Dining Services provides two faculty/advisors for the program, the Director of Communications & Sustainability, and the Assistant Director of Sustainability. The department provides an operating budget of about $100,000 (including the campaigns the Eco Leaders are engaged in) as well as access for Eco Leaders to submit research and/or project proposals to the HDS Sustainability Fund.

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, The Coalition of Student Sustainability and collaborating on the Plastic Bag initiative for the campus book store. ASCSU Environmental Affairs organized Bike to Breakfast Stations in 2016 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 and Deputy Director then invite all studenst 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.

Annual Salaries allotted to the department: $6,600 for Director and $3000 for Deputy; Annual Budget for the department: $4000 Total funds: $13,600 Every spring the ASCSU President and Vice President elect create the ASCSU budget for the next year. They have the power to increase or decrease any funds as they see fit. The department may also approach senate for additional funding and often partners with various entities on campus to fund projects, events, or initiatives.

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://pts.colostate.edu/transportation-options/rambassadors/

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 that equal $16,350.72.

Bicycle Education and Enforcement Program (BEEP) was developed to educate bicyclists and enforce rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of bicycles and skateboards on campus. BEEP is operated by student educators. The Spoke Bike Repair and Education Room is operated by student mechanics. Students who stay to learn about their bike repair do not pay labor costs, only parts. The Spoke is open both during the academic year and the summer.

Student educator engagement hours were calculated by adding Eco Leader, ASCSU, Rambassadors, Ram Guard, BEEP, and Spoke student engagement hours per academic year together. Additional websites: Rambassadors and RamGuards: http://source.colostate.edu/ramguards-rambassadors-enhance-safety-education/ The Spoke: http://cr.colostate.edu/main_thespoke.aspx ASCSU Environmental Affairs: http://ascsu.colostate.edu/team-group/ascsu-department-of-environmental-affairs/ Bicycle Education and Enforcement Program: http://bicycle.colostate.edu/new-page-2