Luther College
EN-7: Employee Educators Program

As part of a new initiative, at least one faculty and staff volunteer per academic building has been intentionally selected and engaged to serve their building, and to help recruit others to form a team. At the time of this STARS submission, all 11 academic buildings, as well the Facilities Department and the athletic facility, have team members, for a total of 19 employees--5 faculty, 14 staff.

Team members serve as "eyes and ears" to spot and escalate issues of operation, academics, wellbeing, equity, and other sustainability concerns. They serve as resources and role models within their buildings, as well as helping to promote sustainability issues and activities. Team members participate in orientation of new employees from their buildings and arrange for sustainability staff to come to staff meetings and other gatherings.

Following the COVID shutdown of 2020, members from multiple buildings participated in a larger, campus-wide catchup orientation for all new employees hired during the pandemic. The goal is make these building-based team members highly recognizable to all building employees. Team members from all buildings will meet at least two times a year for training, sharing ideas, and supporting one another. Luther's Sustainability Coordinator will provide guidance and expertise to these trainings, in addition to individual counseling and training to team members. Participation in new employee orientation has already begun and team members have already met (December, 2021) as a team for discussion and planning.

The target audience is the employees who work in the individual buildings served by team members. Focusing on peers within their building, team members can respond with accuracy to the operational differences represented by various facilities. They also will be well known by their peers, which should increase their effectiveness and believability.