Culture- EcoReps is a highly driven team that is passionate about our goals and members. We have built a community around our shared interest of sustainability, and through that, have created amazing friendships. Meetings and events are work, but the people and what we do don’t make it feel that way. We are able to build relationships by getting together outside of meetings and having fun.
Class- In order to become an EcoRep, you are required to take a 3 credit course, which not only focuses on aspects of sustainability, but also emphasizes the ability to interact and teach your peers as well as faculty. This class can also count towards a general science, humanities, and/or social and behavioral credit (speak to your advisor).
You learn about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, listen to guest speakers about topics such as climate change, and go on field trips to places like Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. You will also be given a multitude of opportunities to connect with peers and build your confidence. Towards the end of the semester, there will be an exam comprised of Penn State’s sustainability efforts learned throughout the course.
Requirements- EcoReps are required to have 6-8pm availability all Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the school year. Typically, Tuesdays from 6-8 pm will be a cohort-wide meeting, while Thursdays from 6-8 pm may be a meeting with your assigned committee, working at an EcoReps event, or posting stall stories.
Outside of the Tuesday/Thursday 6-8pm commitment, EcoReps will also have to volunteer at one football game each year working in the President’s Suite, as well as present their designated First Year Seminar and RA programs.
Events-
- Single Use Scaries – During Halloween time, this event showcases how harmful single-use plastics are for the environment.
- Earth Hour – Typically on Earth Day, the lights of Old Main go out for one hour. EcoReps create a pledge for students to participate in and then write pledges on decorated paper bags containing lanterns to showcase on the lawn.
- America Recycles Day – On November 15th, EcoReps will showcase and celebrate our commitment to recycling.
- PSreUsables – In the spring, EcoReps held a campaign with an interactive DIY event at the end focused on reusing and repurposing materials.
- Ice Cream Social – During syllabus week, EcoReps hand out ice cream to first-year students using compostable utensils and bowls at Pollock and East Commons. We educate students on how to compost through this event
- Stall Stories – Around once a month, EcoReps will visit the first-year dorms and hang up posters in the bathroom stalls. These posters advertise our upcoming events, important sustainability information, and possible recruiting updates
- Meetings – At meetings we typically start with a fun icebreaker. After this, we debrief on any previous events since the last meeting and discuss within our committees. We are always looking for improvement and aim to make future events better. We may have a guest speaker who delivers a lesson pertaining to professional development. If there is not a speaker, we will have a form of educational time to work on our professional careers. We will also have a community and collaboration segment where we talk about upcoming events in the sustainability community. Then, we go over future events and responsibilities. We end by doing appreciations. This is a time to thank other EcoReps for all of their hard work.
- RA programs
- In collaboration with RA’s, EcoReps provide a presentation as well as a hands-on activity to educate participants on composting and house plant care within the dorms. The presentation is a standardized powerpoint created by leadership, which will be explained to the EcoReps at the beginning of the semester. Students in attendance will receive a spider plant and care instructions. All EcoReps are required to facilitate two per semester.
- FYS
- EcoReps give a presentation to an assigned First Year Seminar class, highlighting carbon footprints versus carbon handprints, sustainability, and what it means to be an EcoRep. Each EcoRep will be required to facilitate two per semester using a standardized powerpoint created by leadership.
- President’s box
- EcoRep members will volunteer at at least one football game during the fall semester, in which they will be stationed at the recycling units within the president’s box. EcoReps will work for a portion of the game’s duration, instructing those in attendance as to which bin to dispose of their waste and emptying the waste bins as needed. It is a great opportunity to connect with the higher ups at Penn State. We even get to meet the president of Penn State!
- Absence policy
- EcoReps are allowed 2 unexcused absences penalty-free. Upon the 3rd unexcused absence, you are required to meet with the SPCs to discuss your commitment to the EcoReps program, but no penalty will be applied. From the 4th unexcused absence until the 7th, a 10% reduction in your stipend will be applied. The 8th unexcused absence will result in dismissal from the EcoReps program.
Hiring- We are no longer accepting applicants during the Spring 2023 semester. If you still want to apply, please check again beginning in late summer 2023 for Fall 2024.
If you applied and did not get any feedback regarding your application, please email psuecoreps@gmail.com to check the status of your application.
Pay- Earn a $500 stipend each semester when you complete all required events and regularly attend meetings!
Application- The application can be found by clicking the “join” tab at the top of our website. The application consists of 4 short answer questions in addition to entering your contact information and should take no more than 30 minutes to complete.
Socials- Follow us on our social media platforms to get information on events, volunteer opportunities, sustainability tips/information and more! We also use LinkedIN for career development for our members. It is a great way to reach out and see what the EcoReps have been up to from a professional standpoint.
Insta- @psuecoreps
LinkedIn-@psuecoreps
Twitter- @PSUecoreps
Facebook- PSU EcoReps
*Find more information about the committee’s on the committee tab!*