University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
EN-1: Student Educators Program

As an officer of the Student Government Association (SGA), the Director of Environmental and Sustainability Issues will supervise and chair the Environmental and Sustainability Issues Committee and serve on the University Sustainability Committee. Main duties are to work with different environmental student organizations, to coordinate environmental awareness, events, and to implement and enforce environmental policies campus wide. Examples of outreach include: -Organize and facilitate working relationships among student leaders and groups on campus to help address environmental and sustainable issues -Work on Projects addressing the environment and sustainability issues on Campus and system-wide -Promote and administer the SGA sustainability reserve funds

The position is filled by a hiring process that is done by the incoming President, Vice President and Chief of Staff of the Student Government Association. The selected student must then go through an approval process by the student senate where the candidate fields questions and must be approved by a two thirds vote. The student who is choosen must also have at least a 2.0 GPA for both cumulative and the most recent semester.

The students are often hired based on their merit and background in the field of sustainability and previous knowledge they have. Training is done through information and skills passed down by the previous Environmental and Sustainability Issues Director. Training is also received from members of faculty and staff, as the new director must attend meetings familarizing themself with the operations and status of issues on campus.

The staff and Faculty are critical to the success of the student in the position of Environmental and Sustainability Issues Director. They allow the student to learn and understand the things that happen on campus and where there are opportunities for sustainable initiatives to be developed. All financial payment for this position comes entirely from student fees.

Students employed in the Office of Sustainability are responsible for Sustainability Outreach and Event Planning mainly geared towards students. Some examples of outreach activities include: •Create, organize and implement activities geared towards energy conservation and waste reduction in order to achieve behavioral transformation in students, faculty and staff (i.e. a "move-in" event) •Engage the student community in initiatives that advance campus sustainability, for example Campus Sustainability Day (October) and Food Day (October)and the Eco-Fair (April) •Create and distribute a sustainability newsletter to students •Contribute ideas for sustainability focused articles written for the Pointer (campus newspaper)

Office of Sustainability student positions are posted on a campus job site and filled by qualified students chosen by the Campus Sustainability Coordinator. The students may be recommended by another staff member because of past involvement and work on sustainability initiatives on campus.

The Sustainability Coordinator trains, supervises and gives work direction to the Student Sustainability Coordinator. Student workers also meet with other managers on campus (grounds, facilities, dining and academic) to learn about the goals and needs of each of those areas.

The Staff provides all of the background training that the Student Sustainability Coordinator will need in order to be successful. Salary is paid from the Facility Services budget.

The primary responsibility of the Environmental Programmer is to coordinate programs, activities and resources for the “Eco-Hall” emphasis of Knutzen Hall. Environmental Programming Responsibilities include:  Act as a resource for staff/student leaders/residents of Knutzen Hall as well as other halls on campus.  Coordinate and update the EARTH resource room.  Work with the Knutzen Hall Leadership Team members to recruit active members to EARTH (Environmentally Aware Residents Thinking Holistically) and advise the EARTH group.  Hold weekly one on one meetings with the executive members of the EARTH group. (If there are no active members of the EARTH group then the EP will serve as the EARTH Rep to the Knutzen Hall Government to make sure the environmental issues and concerns are addressed during government meetings).  Coordinating Environmental Programming by: o Assessing the needs of residents regarding information in the areas of environmentally-sound living. o Plan and facilitate environmental programs based on the needs and interests of the residents on environmental issues. o Evaluate environmental programs and activities.  Plan and facilitate one leadership development about environmental and ecological issues each semester for the leadership team.  Encourage and assist residents to become involved with other environmental organizations on campus. Coordinating and implementing an Environmental Organization Fair in the fall semester.  Facilitate community service projects that help to educate residents on environmental issues.  Serve as a liaison to faculty members who have an interest in the Eco-Hall.  Maintain the composting bin in the lobby during the academic semester and during all break periods (summer, winter, spring). UWSP’s Residence Hall Association has students act as “green advocates” in each hall and has a “green associate” who works with the advocates. Peer-to peer outreach includes organizing competitions that advocate sustainability, overseeing UWSP’s Greenest Residence Room, and the Residential Living Eco-Fair & Reception where students can learn about the eco-efforts already established in their hall and how they can live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

The Environmental Programmer position is posted and applications reviewed by residential living staff. The Green Advocates for the residence halls are selected by nomination and elections held within the halls individual government. Elected individuals exhibit extraordinary stewardship and responsibility involving the environment and leadership.

Students work directly with the advisor for Students United for Nature and are trained on the positions that Residential Living takes regarding sustainable issues. Furthermore, they participate in the Residential Living staff and student government training sessions that take place prior to the fall and spring semesters.

Residential Hall staff give these students support and guidance when dealing with student outreach and the development of new projects. Additionally, Students United for Nature is funded directly via Residential Living. They also have access to funds from each individual hall government.

This position will work with UWSP Residential Living and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) to assist with the creation, development and promotion of activities related to sustainable living. The position will work closely with both students and staff to research,implement and assess activities. Some specific outreach activities include: • Develop and update media of Residential Living environmental efforts in various formats for public and department viewing. • Collaborate with RHA to continue RecycleMania and Energy Competition activities. • Explore and develop composting activities within the residence halls.

Resumes are submitted to the Resiliency Project. Applicable names and resumes are then forwarded to Residential Living staff where they are reviewed and screened further; qualified applicants are scheduled to interview. The interviewers consist of residential living staff, along with interested and available residence hall directors, residence hall association (RHA) members and Residential Living Green Advocates.

Citizenship training and responsibilities: • Participate in AmeriCorps training and events as required and requested by Serve Wisconsin, the state’s AmeriCorps partner. • Participate in and complete AmeriCorps citizenship training and community service activities. Program training: • Participate in Central Wisconsin Resiliency Project orientation and ongoing training. • Participate in relevant sustainability training opportunities available in Central Wisconsin.

Residential Living contributes a small percentage of the position’s pay, with the city of Stevens Point, WI covering the balance.