Peer to Peer Approaches To Bring Sustainability Into University Curricula Merrilee Harrigan Vice President Alliance to Save Energy

Overview What is the Alliance to Save Energy? Introduction to the PowerSave Green Campus Program Peer to peer approaches to bring sustainability into university curricula through three case studies: 1. UC Merced’s PSGC Interns working with Creative Writing class 2. UC Berkeley’s PSGC Interns teach Energy Efficiency & Sustainability course 3. Cal Poly Pomona’s PSGC Interns produce Sustainability Course Guide Discussion and Questions

What is the Alliance to Save Energy? Mission: To promote energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security. Organization: Staffed by 90+ professionals 35 years of experience $17 million annual budget Recognized as the premier energy efficiency organization in the world Policy Leaders Environmental Groups Academia Business Leaders

What is the Alliance to Save Energy? Nonprofit organization headquartered in U.S.; operations worldwide Led by Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tom King, Chairman of the Board and President, National Grid US Board includes 13 Members of Congress – Bi-Cameral, Bi-Partisan

Program Areas of the Alliance to Save Energy Policy and Research Industry and Utilities Buildings International Policy and Research Communications Education – Schools – Campuses

Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy

Commission Goal: Double Energy Productivity by 2030

PowerSave Green Campus Overview 23 campuses Student driven energy efficiency workforce education program Paid student internships Generates actual savings -- in 2011, nearly $7 million saved and 88,000 people reached

PowerSave Green Campus Program Goals

Peer to peer approaches to bring sustainability into university curricula 1.UC Merced’s PSGC Interns working with Creative Writing class 2. UC Berkeley’s PSGC Interns teach Energy Efficiency & Sustainability course 3. Cal Poly Pomona’s PSGC Interns produce Sustainability Course Guide

Direct Peer to Peer Education: Academic Infusion in Business & Marketing at UC Merced -PSGC Interns infuse sustainability concepts into business writing curriculum to produce material for resident hall water and energy competitions -Close Faculty involvement -Topics Covered: Environmental Sustainability Water conservation Energy efficiency

COURSE STRUCTURE Student Presentations ResourcesResources ProjectsProjects Introductory Business Writing Class With Professor John Haner

Marketing Materials

Business Plan Objective Executive Summary Keys to Success Impact Education Product / Deliverables

Utilize plan and marketing campaign materials in Water Competition. Assign deadline for business plan and marketing campaign materials. Schedule dates to teach general sustainability concepts Implement curriculum on full term course If possible, test curriculum on summer session Draft curriculum Seek faculty sponsor Seven Action Items to Infuse Sustainability into Course Curricula

Takeaways of Direct Peer to Peer Education: Academic Infusion in Business & Marketing at UC Merced Pro’s: Unique student subset exposed to new material Targeted marketing materials Encourage positive behavior change in student community (occupants) of sustainable, LEED certified university campus Challenges: Faculty involvement

Direct Peer to Peer Education: “Energy Efficiency & Alternative Fuels” DemocraticCal (DeCal) Class at UC Berkeley PSGC interns teach DeCal program: Student-led democratic education program Pass/no pass Faculty sponsor 14 semesters; students Topics covered: Auditing Behavior change Campus sustainability

COURSE STRUCTURE DeCal student doing outreach in front of residential hall Student Presentations Guest Speakers / Field Trips AssignmentsAssignments DeCal student presenting in front of class Charles Bohlig from East Bay Municipal Utility District

FACULTY INVOLVEMENT Faculty sponsor (professor) Approves syllabus Submits grades Sets up bSpace site Guest lecturer Professor Dan Kammen

Projects and Assignments “Resource of the Week” Presentations Home Energy Audit Carbon Footprint Calculator Group Projects

GUEST SPEAKERS & FIELD TRIPS Representation from PG&E’s Pacific Energy Center Lauren Mills from Food Service and Technology Center leading tour of Clark Kerr Kitchens Contacts Research Create syllabus Send invites

Turn in a copy of the application form and syllabus to DeCal office Turn in copies of a special studies application form with syllabus to dean of the college of your department Schedule course by requesting room and time Have department chair sign the proposal form Find a faculty sponsor Fill out course proposal form found on website (decal.org) Create a thorough syllabus Seven steps to organize a DeCal Course

UC Campuses with similar programs: UC Davis – ESLP UC Irvine – Uteach UC Santa Cruz - ESLP UC Los Angeles – USIE UC Santa Barbara - ESLP UC San Diego – CSSA

Takeaways of Direct Peer to Peer Education: DeCal Class at UC Berkeley Pro’s: DeCal offers students no pressure environment (pass/ fail) to satisfy curiosity of energy efficiency and water conservation Enhances scholarly achievement for student facilitators Fosters social interaction for facilitators and students Challenges: Managing expectations of students of the subject matter covered. Sorting out logistics just prior to each semester for course number and room assignment Confirming speakers / managing cancellations

Direct Peer to Peer Education: Sustainability Course Guide at Cal Poly Pomona -PSGC Interns produce Sustainability Course Guide -Short term: ‘sustainability pathway’ -Long term: certificate program -Forge relationships w/ faculty, including department chairs, Office of Sustainability and the Registrar’s office

Organizing the Guide

Promote guide until registration closes Compile guide Confirm course offering in upcoming semester with Department chair Determine if course is ‘focused’ or ‘related’ to sustainability Compile master list of courses related to sustainability Five General Steps to Assemble a Sustainability Course Guide

Pro’s: Increase exposure of courses Development of ‘sustainability pathway’ on campus Challenges: Maintain courses that change quarterly vs. yearly Communication with Dept. Chairs/ Deans Long term – development of certificate Takeaways of Direct Peer to Peer Education: Sustainability Course Guide at Cal Poly Pomona

Takeaways of Peer to peer approaches to bring sustainability into university curricula Pro’s Enhances scholarly achievement for student facilitators Collaboration with faculty Unique student subset exposed to new material Encourage positive behavior change in student community Con’s Initiating any of these projects does entail some significant bureaucratic challenges More of a caveat - Students must engage in critical discussions of concepts to reap value of intellectual exchange and ultimately seek solutions to environmental issues of today.

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