| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.61 |
| Liaison | Tina Woolston |
| Submission Date | Nov. 2, 2022 |
Tufts University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Tina
Woolston Director Office of Sustainability |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student groups
Yes
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Sunrise Movement Tufts
The Sunrise Movement at Tufts is a hub that is part of the national organization and aims to grow participation, elevate the urgency of climate change and challenge to win political power.
https://www.facebook.com/sunrisetufts/
Tufts Climate Action (TCA) is a group dedicated to building leadership on and off-campus and contributing to the climate justice movement. The group's campaigns have included natural gas, divestment, administration and academics, environmental justice, and agriculture, and members have engaged in activities such as rallying, marching, and demonstrating.
https://www.facebook.com/tuftsclimateaction
Tufts Energy Group focuses on engaging and educating the Tufts community about energy issues.
https://sites.tufts.edu/energygroup/?fbclid=IwAR1ZZzIahcJggqSgNf_HrEWYoqIjEdNGqcUyZXkBeCwU3czpqZExS7AWoMQ
Tufts Engineers Without Borders (EWB) carries out sustainable engineering projects in developing nations, with a focus on creating a clean water supply. They implement long-lasting solutions through forming meaningful relationships with communities they are helping.
https://ase.tufts.edu/ewb/
Fletcher Energy and Environment Club (FLEEC) – Informs students about environmental and energy issues and events on a local and international level. FLEEC acts as a network and resource for current Fletcher students and alumni to get involved in environmental issues. FLEEC hosts speakers, field trips, career networking events, and acts as an informational platform.
https://www.facebook.com/FletcherFLEEC/
Tufts Bikes is a student-run organization aimed at promoting bike culture at Tufts University through a bike-sharing program, a bike repair shop, safety and urban riding classes, and group rides. The club aims to promote this green form of transportation by reducing the barrier to entry.
http://tuftsbikes.com
Food Rescue Collaborative works to address food insecurity while minimizing food waste from the dining halls. Student volunteers turn dining hall food leftovers into complete meals to donate to local families in need. https://as.tufts.edu/environmentalstudies/resources/foodRescue.htm
The Tufts Office of Sustainability hosts regular internship opportunities available for students.
The Sunrise Movement at Tufts is a hub that is part of the national organization and aims to grow participation, elevate the urgency of climate change and challenge to win political power.
https://www.facebook.com/sunrisetufts/
Tufts Climate Action (TCA) is a group dedicated to building leadership on and off-campus and contributing to the climate justice movement. The group's campaigns have included natural gas, divestment, administration and academics, environmental justice, and agriculture, and members have engaged in activities such as rallying, marching, and demonstrating.
https://www.facebook.com/tuftsclimateaction
Tufts Energy Group focuses on engaging and educating the Tufts community about energy issues.
https://sites.tufts.edu/energygroup/?fbclid=IwAR1ZZzIahcJggqSgNf_HrEWYoqIjEdNGqcUyZXkBeCwU3czpqZExS7AWoMQ
Tufts Engineers Without Borders (EWB) carries out sustainable engineering projects in developing nations, with a focus on creating a clean water supply. They implement long-lasting solutions through forming meaningful relationships with communities they are helping.
https://ase.tufts.edu/ewb/
Fletcher Energy and Environment Club (FLEEC) – Informs students about environmental and energy issues and events on a local and international level. FLEEC acts as a network and resource for current Fletcher students and alumni to get involved in environmental issues. FLEEC hosts speakers, field trips, career networking events, and acts as an informational platform.
https://www.facebook.com/FletcherFLEEC/
Tufts Bikes is a student-run organization aimed at promoting bike culture at Tufts University through a bike-sharing program, a bike repair shop, safety and urban riding classes, and group rides. The club aims to promote this green form of transportation by reducing the barrier to entry.
http://tuftsbikes.com
Food Rescue Collaborative works to address food insecurity while minimizing food waste from the dining halls. Student volunteers turn dining hall food leftovers into complete meals to donate to local families in need. https://as.tufts.edu/environmentalstudies/resources/foodRescue.htm
The Tufts Office of Sustainability hosts regular internship opportunities available for students.
Gardens and farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
Tufts Student Garden is comprised of a modest cluster of raised beds. The garden, comprised of a variety of plants, ranging from squash and melons to peppers and tomatoes, is tended to by student members and open to anyone in the Tufts community. It is located on Tufts Medford/Somerville campus.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/250371541679596
The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society opened an indoor garden to raise vegetables on Tufts’ Boston campus in January 2014. Located in the street-level lobby of the USDA HNRCA, the garden is an extension of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Garden to Table initiative, which provides hands-on learning opportunities and educational support to people interested in growing their own vegetables. (http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/indoor-garden-installed-usda-nutrition-research-center-aging-tufts-university)
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has a community garden right in the middle of campus where employees and students can tend their own plots between classes and work. The garden was a student initiative and is run by students with assistance from farm staff.
The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project is an initiative of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy that works to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers. It was launched in 1998 and students are able to do internships at the farm, involving studying everything from farmer training styles to plant growth methods.
https://nesfp.org/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/250371541679596
The Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society opened an indoor garden to raise vegetables on Tufts’ Boston campus in January 2014. Located in the street-level lobby of the USDA HNRCA, the garden is an extension of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Garden to Table initiative, which provides hands-on learning opportunities and educational support to people interested in growing their own vegetables. (http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/indoor-garden-installed-usda-nutrition-research-center-aging-tufts-university)
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine has a community garden right in the middle of campus where employees and students can tend their own plots between classes and work. The garden was a student initiative and is run by students with assistance from farm staff.
The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project is an initiative of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy that works to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers. It was launched in 1998 and students are able to do internships at the farm, involving studying everything from farmer training styles to plant growth methods.
https://nesfp.org/
Student-run enterprises
Yes
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The Sink is a student-run cafe on campus. It does not have a mission statement or stated purpose per se but sustainability is an important underlying philosophy for the cafe. They serve fair-trade coffee and tea grown by small, independent farmers. The Sink also recycles all milk cartons, glass syrup bottles, and soy milk boxes. Students who purchase coffee from The Sink receive a discount for bringing their own mugs. https://www.facebook.com/tuftssink/
Sustainable investment and finance
Yes
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
Founded in 2015, Tufts Trading Fund (TTF) serves to help students learn about macro investing in a range of sectors, including commodities, forex, indices, and more. Individual sectors allow students to specialize in one of three areas, and Environmental, Social, and Governance Investing has been a focus for the past two semesters.
http://www.tuftstradingfund.org/sectors.html
The Experimental College has also offered courses such as “Microfinance,” in which students study and participate in microfinance investments. (https://excollege.tufts.edu/current)
The Green Fund is a program to provide funding for the implementation of sustainability projects and ideas from and for the Tufts community. The fund is managed by a group of students, faculty, and staff. (https://sustainability.tufts.edu/green-fund/)
Established in 2005 by a generous gift from Pierre (A88) and Pam (J89) Omidyar, OT-ACT seeks to generate financial returns that support Tufts while affecting positive change in society. The target opportunity set of the trust includes a wide range of sectors and sub-sectors where institutional investors can produce societal good. Cutting across all the trust’s investments is the intent to empower people to act on their inherent capabilities and ensure that lack of opportunity is not a barrier to engagement. Target sectors include financial and economic inclusion, health and wellness, affordable housing, education and workforce development, and access to clean energy and water.
(https://investments.tufts.edu/what-we-do/ot-act-asset-allocation)
180 Degrees Consulting @ Tufts is a student-run consulting group that works with socially conscious organizations. They are a branch of 180 Degrees Consulting, the world’s largest pro bono student consultancy. In the past semesters, they have focused on working with environmental-related companies, such as Beacon Climate and Green City Growers.
https://180dctufts.com/
http://www.tuftstradingfund.org/sectors.html
The Experimental College has also offered courses such as “Microfinance,” in which students study and participate in microfinance investments. (https://excollege.tufts.edu/current)
The Green Fund is a program to provide funding for the implementation of sustainability projects and ideas from and for the Tufts community. The fund is managed by a group of students, faculty, and staff. (https://sustainability.tufts.edu/green-fund/)
Established in 2005 by a generous gift from Pierre (A88) and Pam (J89) Omidyar, OT-ACT seeks to generate financial returns that support Tufts while affecting positive change in society. The target opportunity set of the trust includes a wide range of sectors and sub-sectors where institutional investors can produce societal good. Cutting across all the trust’s investments is the intent to empower people to act on their inherent capabilities and ensure that lack of opportunity is not a barrier to engagement. Target sectors include financial and economic inclusion, health and wellness, affordable housing, education and workforce development, and access to clean energy and water.
(https://investments.tufts.edu/what-we-do/ot-act-asset-allocation)
180 Degrees Consulting @ Tufts is a student-run consulting group that works with socially conscious organizations. They are a branch of 180 Degrees Consulting, the world’s largest pro bono student consultancy. In the past semesters, they have focused on working with environmental-related companies, such as Beacon Climate and Green City Growers.
https://180dctufts.com/
Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
The university holds a number of major events for students related to sustainability. These include the following:
CIERP’s Energy, Climate, and Innovation Program’s Research Seminar series features a variety of presenters who speak on topics ranging from climate change and sustainable development to ecosystem management and energy. The Center for International Environment & Resource Policy is housed within the Fletcher School. (https://sites.tufts.edu/cierp/events/)
Tufts’ Environmental Studies Program hosts weekly Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lectures that feature speakers from government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations to give presentations on environmental topics. This presents an opportunity for members of the Tufts community to broaden their knowledge beyond the curriculum and network with the speakers.
(https://as.tufts.edu/environmentalStudies/lecture/index.htm)
The Tufts Energy Conference is a two-day energy conference that brings together experts from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors with students and professionals to discuss critical global energy issues. The conference is entirely organized by students from a broad range of backgrounds in engineering, international affairs, urban planning, and economics. (https://environment.tufts.edu/tec/)
The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy hosts a yearly research and data symposium focused on food sustainability and nutrition. This symposium establishes discourse where experts in the field and students can discuss opinions and experiences surrounding improving the area.
https://sites.tufts.edu/friedmanresearchsymposium/
The Tufts Office of Sustainability hosts a "Path to Carbon Neutrality" webinar series designed to spotlight different projects at Tufts that contribute to our goal of carbon neutrality. Speakers invited are making a positive internal impact on the university and have ranged from Tufts' Dining Director to Chief Investment Officer.
(https://sustainability.tufts.edu/sustainability-at-tufts/programs/path-to-carbon-neutrality-webinar-series/)
There is an annual Food Systems Symposium: https://sites.tufts.edu/foodattufts/tufts-food-system-symposium/
Additionally, many student groups host sustainability-related events.
CIERP’s Energy, Climate, and Innovation Program’s Research Seminar series features a variety of presenters who speak on topics ranging from climate change and sustainable development to ecosystem management and energy. The Center for International Environment & Resource Policy is housed within the Fletcher School. (https://sites.tufts.edu/cierp/events/)
Tufts’ Environmental Studies Program hosts weekly Hoch Cunningham Environmental Lectures that feature speakers from government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations to give presentations on environmental topics. This presents an opportunity for members of the Tufts community to broaden their knowledge beyond the curriculum and network with the speakers.
(https://as.tufts.edu/environmentalStudies/lecture/index.htm)
The Tufts Energy Conference is a two-day energy conference that brings together experts from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors with students and professionals to discuss critical global energy issues. The conference is entirely organized by students from a broad range of backgrounds in engineering, international affairs, urban planning, and economics. (https://environment.tufts.edu/tec/)
The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy hosts a yearly research and data symposium focused on food sustainability and nutrition. This symposium establishes discourse where experts in the field and students can discuss opinions and experiences surrounding improving the area.
https://sites.tufts.edu/friedmanresearchsymposium/
The Tufts Office of Sustainability hosts a "Path to Carbon Neutrality" webinar series designed to spotlight different projects at Tufts that contribute to our goal of carbon neutrality. Speakers invited are making a positive internal impact on the university and have ranged from Tufts' Dining Director to Chief Investment Officer.
(https://sustainability.tufts.edu/sustainability-at-tufts/programs/path-to-carbon-neutrality-webinar-series/)
There is an annual Food Systems Symposium: https://sites.tufts.edu/foodattufts/tufts-food-system-symposium/
Additionally, many student groups host sustainability-related events.
Cultural arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
There are too many to list, here are some examples:
In early March 2021, the SMFA Sustainability Committee hosted the annual Health, Safety, and Sustainability (HSS) event. During the week, there was a lecture by community organizer Seitu Jones, who talked about the intersection between food, sustainability, and visual art. In his talk titled, 73 Stains: Sweet Potatoes, Sustenance & Sustainability, Jones discussed artistic responses to the environment, specifically how African American artists continue to shape and sustain their well-being.
https://smfa.tufts.edu/news/week-long-look-health-safety-and-sustainability
The Tufts University Art Galleries hosted an exhibit entitled "Staying with the Trouble" in Fall of 2021. The artwork embodies feminist environmental philosophy, which intertwines gender and climate justice through frameworks of care between human and nonhuman nature rather than patriarchal systems harming women and nature. The exhibition is based off of ecofeminist Donna Haraway’s 2016 book "Staying with the Trouble", which approaches collaboration towards living on a dying Earth.
https://artgalleries.tufts.edu/exhibitions/2-staying-with-the-trouble
In a collaboration between the SMFA and the ENVS department, artist Isa Leshko gave a talk surrounding her monograph titled "Allowed to Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Animals from Farm Sanctuaries". Leshko invited reflection upon what is lost when these animals are deprived of old age. By inspiring empathy surrounded farm animals, she hoped to raise awareness about the environmental and ethical impacts for meat consumption.
https://www.isaleshko.com/news/artist-lecture-at-tufts-university
In early March 2021, the SMFA Sustainability Committee hosted the annual Health, Safety, and Sustainability (HSS) event. During the week, there was a lecture by community organizer Seitu Jones, who talked about the intersection between food, sustainability, and visual art. In his talk titled, 73 Stains: Sweet Potatoes, Sustenance & Sustainability, Jones discussed artistic responses to the environment, specifically how African American artists continue to shape and sustain their well-being.
https://smfa.tufts.edu/news/week-long-look-health-safety-and-sustainability
The Tufts University Art Galleries hosted an exhibit entitled "Staying with the Trouble" in Fall of 2021. The artwork embodies feminist environmental philosophy, which intertwines gender and climate justice through frameworks of care between human and nonhuman nature rather than patriarchal systems harming women and nature. The exhibition is based off of ecofeminist Donna Haraway’s 2016 book "Staying with the Trouble", which approaches collaboration towards living on a dying Earth.
https://artgalleries.tufts.edu/exhibitions/2-staying-with-the-trouble
In a collaboration between the SMFA and the ENVS department, artist Isa Leshko gave a talk surrounding her monograph titled "Allowed to Grow Old: Portraits of Elderly Animals from Farm Sanctuaries". Leshko invited reflection upon what is lost when these animals are deprived of old age. By inspiring empathy surrounded farm animals, she hoped to raise awareness about the environmental and ethical impacts for meat consumption.
https://www.isaleshko.com/news/artist-lecture-at-tufts-university
Wilderness and outdoors programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The student-run Tufts Mountain Club (TMC) is one of the largest student organizations on the Tufts Medford campus and organizes trips every weekend. TMC maintains the Tufts-owned Loj in New Hampshire for use by students and other members of the Tufts community. Many students use the Loj as a base camp from which they enjoy a wealth of activities including hiking, skiing, swimming, rock climbing, and apple picking. The Outdoor Resource Center shares outdoor knowledge and techniques with the wider Tufts community by hosting clinics and training sessions on campus.
The Tufts Wilderness Orientation is a 5-day experience for incoming freshmen before school starts. Each year, over 250 freshmen come to Tufts in late August to embark on 33 student-led backpacking, canoeing, hybrid, rock climbing, and trail crew trips. Groups are completely self-sufficient for the five days; they carry all their own food and equipment, do all their own cooking, and have as little contact with civilization as possible. The Tufts Wilderness Orientation staff is a highly selective group of students, and three affinity programs for POC, Women+, and LGBTQIA+ students were introduced in 2021.
(https://students.tufts.edu/orientation/pre-orientation/two-tufts-wilderness-orientation)
The Tufts Wilderness Orientation is a 5-day experience for incoming freshmen before school starts. Each year, over 250 freshmen come to Tufts in late August to embark on 33 student-led backpacking, canoeing, hybrid, rock climbing, and trail crew trips. Groups are completely self-sufficient for the five days; they carry all their own food and equipment, do all their own cooking, and have as little contact with civilization as possible. The Tufts Wilderness Orientation staff is a highly selective group of students, and three affinity programs for POC, Women+, and LGBTQIA+ students were introduced in 2021.
(https://students.tufts.edu/orientation/pre-orientation/two-tufts-wilderness-orientation)
Sustainability-focused themes
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
In 2020 the Common Reading program selection was "Lives in Limbo: Undocumented and Coming of Age in America"
Sustainable life skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The Hive is a sustainability-themed, 10-person suite is located on the downhill side of campus in Latin Way. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are all invited to live in The Hive. As a special interest house, The Hive's goal is to create a community of students interested in sustainable living and issues surrounding sustainability. Those living in the suite are expected to support and/or take part in the environmental student groups on campus. Additionally, all members of The Hive are expected to complete a sustainability-based project during their residency in the house.
https://www.facebook.com/TuftsHive/
https://www.facebook.com/TuftsHive/
Student employment opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
A number of offices and departments on campus offer sustainability-related student employment and internships, including the Office of Sustainability, Tufts Institute of the Environment (TIE), CIERP, the Environmental Studies Program, and Dining Services.
The Eco-Reps are a group of students who are employed by the Office of Sustainability to promote sustainability in residence halls through planning events and modeling environmentally-friendly behavior.
https://sustainability.tufts.edu/sustainability-at-tufts/programs/ecorepresentatives/
The Green Fund offers employment opportunities to students where they can join a committee to decide on which projects should be selected and implemented on the Tufts campus.
https://sustainability.tufts.edu/get-involved/the-green-fund/
The Eco-Reps are a group of students who are employed by the Office of Sustainability to promote sustainability in residence halls through planning events and modeling environmentally-friendly behavior.
https://sustainability.tufts.edu/sustainability-at-tufts/programs/ecorepresentatives/
The Green Fund offers employment opportunities to students where they can join a committee to decide on which projects should be selected and implemented on the Tufts campus.
https://sustainability.tufts.edu/get-involved/the-green-fund/
Graduation pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
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Optional Fields
Student Sustainability Certification - Short online training that helps students learn all the basics of sustainability at Tufts. Students are able to incorporate these sustainable behaviors into their lives on campus so Tufts as a whole can reduce waste & energy and improve social equity.
Green Room Certification - Short survey created by Eco-Reps to help residents think about daily behaviors in relation to their living space.
https://sustainability.tufts.edu/get-involved/students/student-sustainability-certification/
Green Room Certification - Short survey created by Eco-Reps to help residents think about daily behaviors in relation to their living space.
https://sustainability.tufts.edu/get-involved/students/student-sustainability-certification/
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.