STONY BROOK, N.Y., Dec. 10, 2007 – The “EarthStock” program series at Stony Brook University received the 2007 Outstanding Student Affairs Award for Emerging Programs, the SUNY Office of University Life announced. Selected from more than 40 entries in the category, the award was presented to Jeffrey A. Barnett, Assistant Dean of Students for Stony Brook University. “EarthStock 2007 – The Future is Now,” the program series includes a variety of programs in different genres and mediums to educate the campus and local community on the environment and sustainability.
Started as a grassroots effort by students and staff to celebrate Earth Day in 2002, EarthStock has grown into a weeklong multidisciplinary program featuring 32 departments from across the campus.
“EarthStock was not limited to the Stony Brook community alone this year,” said Barnett. “The students worked with local schools, farmers and over 100 environmental organizations to celebrate EarthStock.”
This year’s award-winning program included a lecture by former US Congresswoman Hon. Claudine Schenider, author of the first Global Warming Prevention Act (1988). It also included panel presentations, film screenings, a parliamentary debate, an exhibition of undergraduate and graduate student research on the environment, opportunities to volunteer to enhance and beautify the campus, concerts, student musical and dance performances, a symposium and a large culminating festival.
Earth Stock is one of the largest programs of its kind on Long Island, across SUNY and in New York State and in the United States. It is designed to raise awareness and help provide solutions for climate change and global warming by involving local, regional and national government and business leaders in the discussion; including a broad range of students and faculty; approaching programming in an interdisciplinary way and through various mediums; and balancing serious discussion of environmental sustainability with a celebration of local and regional accomplishments already achieved.
EarthStock was not the only Stony Brook program recognized this year by the SUNY Office of University Life as an outstanding program. “The Amazing Race” was awarded second place in the Recreational and Intramurals category, and the “Festival of Lights” won second place for Diversity and Multicultural programs.
“Stony Brook's being recognized for these programs from throughout the entire SUNY system, which includes 64 campuses, is a testament to the hard work and creative talents of our students, staff and faculty working together,” said Dr. Jerrold L. Stein, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
EarthStock Notes & Numbers:
• It is estimated over ten thousand (10,000) campus and local community members participated in the 2007 programming series.
• Over one hundred (100) environmental organizations participated with educational exhibits and displays.
• Ninety (90) students from seven (7) high schools attended and organized exhibits.
• Over two hundred fifty (250) local government and business leaders registered in the Sustainable Long Island Symposium.
• Over one hundred twenty five (125) Stony Brook students volunteered to assist with this year's event.
• The coordinating committee is composed of thirty-three (33) students, faculty, staff and alumni from drawn from across the university.
• EarthStock 2008 is scheduled for Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18.
Created in 2006, the SUNY Outstanding Student Affairs Awards recognize and encourage outstanding educational programs that engage students and have a positive impact on campus life. A selection committee comprised of Student Life representatives from campuses and SUNY System Administration reviewed the nominations in the five categories above, using the following criteria: clarity of program objectives; creativity and excellence of program design; effectiveness of program implementation; evidence of collaboration; and outcomes assessment establishing the effectiveness of the program.
“These programs are excellent examples of initiatives designed to facilitate student learning and development in all aspects of campus life,” said Ed Engelbride, Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Life. “It is our pleasure to recognize these programs and to encourage additional SUNY campuses to use them as models in the future.”
Each of the five award recipients will present to their peers so that other SUNY campuses may consider implementing the programs.
