Director of Sustainability Olivia Herron (center) with 2023-2024 student assistants Will Sayner and Kaitlyn Carlin. The students work in the Office of Sustainability through Miami's Service+ AmeriCorps program.
Student Engagement and Outreach
Student Engagement
Members of student service fraternity Phi Kappa Psi (pictured) helped with a honeysuckle removal project in the Miami University Natural Areas. They, along with students from the Botanical Society and other organizations regularly volunteer for Natural Areas projects.
Goal 1
Increase student awareness of Miami’s climate commitment, and increase student awareness of how their actions and behaviors have an impact on our commitment to decarbonization.
Target 1: Create a new Sustainability Outreach Coordinator position This position will focus on Sustainability initiatives in partnership with the Director of Student Engagement/ Leadership or the Director of the Armstrong Student Center; the Office of Sustainability; and the office of ASPIRE.
Action: Allocate funding from Armstrong Student Center, Office of ASPIRE, and the Office of Sustainability for a full-time (32 hr/week) position within the Division of Student Life. Estimated cost: $45,000
Goal 2
Implement a modest Student Sustainability Fee to fund opportunities for students for student-led projects, events, or programming centered on Miami’s climate commitment.
Target 1: Associated Student Government proposal to the board of trustees to support a Student Sustainability Fee of $5/semester, similar to other Ohio public universities. Funding allocation would be decided by a committee of students, the Sustainability Director, and others.
- Actions: Establish a Climate Action/Sustainability Fund available for students to support projects centered on climate action. Students propose projects (i.e. zero waste projects, pollinator gardens, workshops, outreach for community members, travel to conference) annually. Funding allocation would be decided by a committee of students, the Sustainability Director, and others.
Goal 3
Motivate change in user behavior by encouraging resource stewardship, responsible consumption, and waste disposal.
Actions: Provide resources and guidance for student organizations and other groups using Armstrong Student Center to hold Zero Waste Events in the facility. Provide guidance and resources for disposal of compostable and recyclable items offered by Dining Services.
Goal 4
Motivate change in user behavior by encouraging resource stewardship by residential students.
- Action: A student sustainability outreach coordinator will lead outreach and communication for residential students about how their actions affect energy use and water consumption in their residence halls. Progress will be tracked and shared by the Director of Energy Systems, Director of Utilities, Director of Sustainability, and a team of students in IES 474 “Sustainability in Practice” using U.S. Green Buildings Council’s (USGBC) Arc platform.
- Action: High performing buildings will be LEED for Operations + Maintenance (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, O+M) certified to publicize the success of efficient building operation. Estimated cost to certify 12 initial buildings: $35,000
