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Creating a Sustainable Campus Culture through Student Engagement: Capitalizing on Living-Learning Communities and Creative Inquiry Teams Presented by: Tyler Gailey, M.Ed., Community Director, Clemson University Contributors: Jennifer Goree, Catherine Mobley, David Ladner, Beth Kunkel, Leidy Klotz

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Participant introductions and personal goals for this session Clemsons Commitment to Sustainability Capitalizing on existing structures Creative Inquiry Teams Living-learning Communities Tracking our Progress Small group discussion and sharing Session Agenda

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Learning Outcome: Participants in this session will be able to capitalize on pre-existing structures within their own institutions such as housing, project-based and research-based classes, student organizations, and dining services to implement sustainable change on campus. Session Learning Outcome

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American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment Signatory: Presidents Commission on Sustainability Formed November 2009 Sustainability Plan presented to President Barker December 2010 Three major emphasis areas: Education and Research Culture and Leadership Carbon Neutrality 2030: Target for Carbon Neutrality Clemson Universitys Commitment to Sustainability

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The essence of sustainability is within the DNA of Clemsons ideology. President Jim Barker Education and Research Carbon Neutrality Plan Conservation, Resource Management and Waste Elimination Planning and Design Comprehensive, Sustainable Transportation System Culture and Leadership Culture of Healthy, sustainable living Overview of Clemson Universitys Sustainability Plan

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Sustainability will be an integral part of the educational experience for all members of the Clemson Family. Presidents climate commitment to provide sustainability education for all students carbon neutrality requires culture shift 7 out of 10 of best high-school students prefer green universities Clemson students and South Carolinians for green jobs Clemson as a national model for sustainability education Clemsons Focus on Education & Research

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Leading a cultural shift requires that we impact the campus community on each of the following levels: Individual Interpersonal Organizational Community Policy Culture & Leadership

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Integration and Infusion Science and Technology courses Required seminars Quality Enhancement Plan Sustainability Education Institute Creative Inquiry Teams Living-learning Communities Education & Research

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Utilizing Existing Structures to Bring about Change Creative Inquiry Teams Dirt to Food Trailgating BioFuels Environmental Teach-In and Focus the Nation Forum to Action Program Engineers Behavior in Sustainable Energy Decisions Maximizing Infiltration Volume in Rain Gardens Campus sustainability improvement planning and design People-Place-Sustainability Clemson Farm-Fresh Farmers Market Developing Linkages for a Sustainable Food System Green Crescent project: Sustainability in community TRAILS and GREENWAYS

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Living-learning Communities LIEF: Leading and Innovating for the Environment and Future

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Significant interest from faculty 18 month planning and implementation period First LIEF students moved into Calhoun Courts in Fall 2011 Required enrolment in team-taught LIEF Creative Inquiry with faculty from: Environmental Engineering and Earth Science Sociology Biology Food Science and Nutrition Civil Engineering Student Affairs LIEF: Leading and Innovating for the Environment and Future

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Students will work across disciplinary lines to think critically about how they can address great societal challenges related to sustainability. To achieve this course goal, students will: define sustainability identify and discuss fundamental issues of sustainability; analyze how their values relate to sustainability, and how their actions impact sustainability issues; recognize interrelated systems; evaluate the role of their major in sustainability issues; apply sustainability concepts on local and global scales; practice change agent skills for sustainability; develop a plan to address sustainability challenges through engagement at Clemson and beyond. LIEF: Student Learning Outcomes

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Students Leading the Way Students for Environmental Action Student Sustainability Initiative Reusable coffee mug program Dirt to Food Project Game day recycling efforts Clemson University Environmental Teach-in Seven pro-environment student groups 65 majors and 700+ courses related to sustainability. New bike rental program Leave no Trace Tailgating

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Assessment is a powerful tool to show progress and demonstrate need for improvement. President gives annual report to the Board of Trustees We set measureable goals for our sustainability plan and hold ourselves accountable Gives us data to support areas that need improvement Sample Data: Students were asked the extent to which they agreed with the following statement In the development of our society, we must strive to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (93.0%) strongly or mildly agree with this statement about sustainability, with just 4.9% mildly or strongly disagreeing with this statement. Assessment

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Are there ways to tie your student-driven sustainability efforts to course credit? What faculty incentives exist to encourage faculty participation in out of the classroom learning? Is interdisciplinary work encouraged? What successes have you had with students leading the way? How have you used assessment to inform your work? Small Group Discussion

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http://www.clemson.edu/sustainability/ Sustainability Plan PCS Report Card http://www.clemson.edu/academics/programs/creative-inquiry/ http://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/housing/living-learning.html LIEF Syllabus Sustainability Survey Clemson Dining and Housing Living-learning Community Planning Guide Resources

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Tyler Gailey Community Director gailey@clemson.edu Jennifer Goree Director of Healthy Campus goree@clemson.edu Catherine Mobley Professor of Sociology camoble@clemson.edu David Ladner Assistant Professor Environmental Engineering And Earth Science ladner@clemson.edu Leidy Klotz Associate Professor Civil Engineering & Chair of Presidents Commission on Sustainability leidyk@clemson.edu Beth Kunkel Professor Food Science and Nutrition bkunkel@clemson.edu Contacts