This presentation was based on research conducted by Lindsay Madeira and Claire Roby (American University) and published in the conference proceedings under the title "Growing Leaders: Best Practices for Individuals Interested in Empowering Environmentalist Students."The ContextThere is a rising public awareness, but how do we harness that for action? We need students, faculty and staff to work together in order to deliver long-term institutional change. Claire and Lindsay tried to look at ways faculty and staff can empower students on their campuses.Why work with students?They have energy, time, the freedom to suggest/demand politically difficult changes. They also outnumber the faculty and staff. ;) But, students don't always have things that Faculty and Staff do have, such as institutional knowledge, authority, and resources.ResearchThey distributed a survey to students at 43 schools asking them what they had found the most and least helpful ways staff and faculty had interacted with them. Three items rose clearly to the top: 1) Introduce students to the decision maker that they were targeting in their campaign 2) Acccompany students to a meeting with a decision maker 3) Explain to students the decision-making structure of the school**Other Findings***Communication*

Be available for meetings and e-mail
*act as a 'sounding board'/'reality check'
*clarify the university decision-making process
*timeliness - don't give up or get frustrated with students when they leave things to the last minute
*passing information across student turnover - this can be frustrating but is important for building a strong student environmental presence on your campus Formal or Informal Environmental Issues Project Team

• clearinghouse for ideas and activities across campus Sustainability Coordinator

• super helpful

• point person/dedicated person to do all of the above things

Collaboration

Lending Support
*sign their petitions
*show up for events Staff-staff communication

• take information about student efforts to Faculty Senate for their support Sam's aside: communication with students can also improve your work! Students can give feedback to staff and faculty that will make their programs more successful. Pilot Programs

• these are critical but often are only possible with donated time

Resources

• Revenue Sources (help with fundraising)
• University promotional materials
• Copy machine access - established clubs often get free access, but not students just getting started
• Campus Data - often needed for students to make their campaigns intelligent
• Technological assistance - websites, lend out equipment, etc...
• Facilities Management services - access to facilities and data
• Speak on panels
• People power!
  • an audience: class raps
  • assign paper topics related to *campus*sustainability
  • award extra credit for attending events
  • employ students!! - jobs and internships often take student's focus away from campus. providing internships and jobs that keep them focused on campus are great!

Respect

• It's all about INCLUSION!
• invite students to meetings
• attend student meetings and events
• making meeting times accessible to students (e.g. evening hours)
• consulting with students before making program changes that effect them or that they care about. In conclusion: Working with students can greatly increase the campus sustainability vibe on campus, attract attention to the school, and recruit more environmentalist students to the school. Sam's aside: It's also fun and rewarding!