| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.59 |
| Liaison | Maria Ayala |
| Submission Date | Dec. 26, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Universidad San Francisco de Quito - USFQ
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 2.00 |
Nathan
Digby Dean of Students Dean of Students |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student Groups
No
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
The club EcoReps is an inclusive organization of students with the purpose of carrying out practices, workshops, and projects that contribute to the sustainability of the university, through the support of technicians specialized in the different fields of the environmental area and who work together with the innovation office and sustainability.
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
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Gardens and Farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
USFQ’s Organic Garden is a mandatory class to agriculture introduction. The garden is located some 6 miles away from the University in a 2.4 acre leased piece of land.
Each semester there is generally between 7 to 10 students in the class where everything from seed planting to genetic research is carried out. Besides students, there are 3 fulltime workers that oversee the organic farm. Students stick to a scheduled production process and are required to assist daily.
Besides cultivating in season-produce, the organic garden also serves as a seedbed for native plants such as Chilca, Guabo, Santa Maria, Ajisillo and podocarpus, which are then transplanted to parks and ravines. Everything is organically managed, from the fertilizer made form quail excrement, to the red earthworms for compost as well as fumigating with trichoderma mushrooms for pest control.
Products sold have to pass a sanitary verification in order to be packed and shipped to the farmers market on Friday’s at noon. Leftover produce is fed to the rabbits and guinea pigs at the farm. All other organic left over’s are used for compost and re used as organic fertilizer. This is done with the students in the agriculture engineering department
The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
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Student-Run Enterprises
No
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
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The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
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Sustainable Investment and Finance
No
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
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Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
With the initiative of Amor Naturae we hope to contribute to society's development of a process of reconciliation and love for Nature. The events will be focused on providing participants (students, teachers and the public in general) with up-to-date and didactic information on environmental issues of importance to Ecuador and the world to promote the analysis and adoption of more environmentally friendly ways of life.
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Cultural Arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
In the area of cultural events, USFQ holds an event called the Vagina Monologues, which is a feminist event designed to empower women and advocate for feminist issues such as gender norms and sexual violence.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
Wilderness and Outdoors Programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Currently the University offers a Climbing/Hiking 3-credit class. The program started in 99 as a club and the then president of the club remains as class instructor today. The class is based on taking a theory in mountaineering, rappel and ropes. Besides attending all theory classes students have to take at least 3 weekend trips during the semester.
The class has a policy of leave no trace behind but has no theory on it. As for rock climbing the policy is to use previous bolts.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
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Sustainability-Related Themes
No
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Sustainable Life Skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
USFQ has held a workshop on zero-waste life and another on business social responsibility.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
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Student Employment Opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Internships with the Office of Sustainability and Innovation developing benchmarking and other projects.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
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Graduation Pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Other Programs and Initiatives
Yes
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
In addition, USFQ practices sustainable agriculture. Behind its kitchens, USFQ has an organic garden with the gastronomy club.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
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Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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