For my Senior Project, I developed and began implementing a plan on how the University of Washington (Seattle campus) could feasibly implement and install a mandatory sustainability course graduation requirement for undergraduate students. This plan was based, at least in part, after the successful initiative to require a mandatory diversity course completion to graduate from the University of Washington, passed in 2013. Initially, I planned for my Senior Project to not only outline steps on how the sustainability graduation requirement policy could be imposed and passed, but I also planned that it would incorporate feedback and suggestions from UW student and faculty focus groups on what this sustainability graduation requirement could look like and how it could be implemented. Instead, after researching and speaking with several UW staff and faculty, I ultimately pivoted my project towards building a student coalition to support and continue the project after I graduate. Although, in the process, I still talked with many UW students as well as several UW faculty and staff for advice, feedback, ideas, and support. Furthermore, I submitted and passed a resolution to the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW), the student body government at the University of Washington, asking for their support in the consideration of a sustainability graduation requirement.
I chose this project because I believe a sustainability graduation requirement is important not only because I believe that an awareness and knowledge of sustainability is important and related to every field of study and every career, but also because I feel such an initiative aligns strongly with the University of Washington’s recent initiatives to present itself as a green, sustainable university. I believe that the UW cannot claim to be truly pursuing sustainability if it primarily tries to approach sustainability from an infrastructural standpoint (i.e. constructing green buildings). I believe education and member awareness and support are critical parts of a university which should be considered in judging how “sustainable” a university (or organization) truly is.
This senior project connects to my interest in environmental education, although it focuses more on a policy approach than the actual act of environmental education itself. On a larger scale however, this project is connected to my interest and belief in environmental issues, sustainability, and how we can better connect others to these topics and communicate how interdisciplinary and relevant these topics are to their lives, interests, and fields of study and work. Although by no means the only, or even best, way to communicate and educate others about sustainability and environmental issues, I believe implanting a sustainability graduation requirement is one step that can be taken in the right direction and can introduce others who might otherwise have not been exposed to these topics to ideas which may get them connecting and relating to sustainability and the environment.
I chose this project because I believe a sustainability graduation requirement is important not only because I believe that an awareness and knowledge of sustainability is important and related to every field of study and every career, but also because I feel such an initiative aligns strongly with the University of Washington’s recent initiatives to present itself as a green, sustainable university. I believe that the UW cannot claim to be truly pursuing sustainability if it primarily tries to approach sustainability from an infrastructural standpoint (i.e. constructing green buildings). I believe education and member awareness and support are critical parts of a university which should be considered in judging how “sustainable” a university (or organization) truly is.
This senior project connects to my interest in environmental education, although it focuses more on a policy approach than the actual act of environmental education itself. On a larger scale however, this project is connected to my interest and belief in environmental issues, sustainability, and how we can better connect others to these topics and communicate how interdisciplinary and relevant these topics are to their lives, interests, and fields of study and work. Although by no means the only, or even best, way to communicate and educate others about sustainability and environmental issues, I believe implanting a sustainability graduation requirement is one step that can be taken in the right direction and can introduce others who might otherwise have not been exposed to these topics to ideas which may get them connecting and relating to sustainability and the environment.
The Sustainability Credit Coalition
With the final goal of my project being to create a sustainability graduation requirement at the University of Washington, I needed to ensure a way for my project to continue after I graduated. As a result, for part of my project I recruited and formed a coalition of UW students passionate about a sustainability graduation requirement. During spring 2019, I worked with them to familiarize them with my work so far and help guide them to continue the project after I graduated.
Tabling with coalition members at UW Earth Day (left). A group picture of some of my coalition members (right).
Senior Project Night
I presented my project at UW's Community, Environment, and Planning Senior Project Night on May 16, 2019. My presented my project to a panel of judges and held a Q&A afterwards.
My presentation slides:
Download my presentation slides here:
spn_presentation_-_jasmineleung.pdf | |
File Size: | 8697 kb |
File Type: |
Final Report
Abstract:
In recent years, the University of Washington has promoted itself as a green leader in higher education and has made significant strides towards increasing sustainability efforts on campus. One area in which the University has not focused heavily on sustainability is in the curriculum. To address this gap, I developed a basic framework for implementing a new undergraduate sustainability graduation requirement. This framework and the founding of a student coalition to support a sustainability graduation requirement initiative will serve as the initial steps in what I anticipate to be a multi-year implementation process. To develop the framework, I have researched sustainability requirement policies at other universities; reviewed policies at the University of Washington which would support a sustainability graduation requirement; solicited feedback and support from UW faculty, staff, and students; and studied the University of Washington’s Diversity Credit as a case study for a student-led initiative to change University of Washington graduation requirement policy. Based on this research, I then created a series of recommendations detailing a recommended action plan for implementing a UW graduation requirement. To ensure this project continues after I graduate, I have also formed a new student coalition and registered student group to foster campus support for the requirement and work with university faculty and administration to pass the policy through the appropriate channels. If this new requirement is enacted it will not only help the University of Washington emerge as a true leader in sustainability higher education, but will also ensure that graduate of the University of Washington understand sustainability and its applicability to their lives and careers, making them more prepared to tackle emerging global challenges.
My final report, which includes my project method, findings, and coalition documentation, can be downloaded here:
In recent years, the University of Washington has promoted itself as a green leader in higher education and has made significant strides towards increasing sustainability efforts on campus. One area in which the University has not focused heavily on sustainability is in the curriculum. To address this gap, I developed a basic framework for implementing a new undergraduate sustainability graduation requirement. This framework and the founding of a student coalition to support a sustainability graduation requirement initiative will serve as the initial steps in what I anticipate to be a multi-year implementation process. To develop the framework, I have researched sustainability requirement policies at other universities; reviewed policies at the University of Washington which would support a sustainability graduation requirement; solicited feedback and support from UW faculty, staff, and students; and studied the University of Washington’s Diversity Credit as a case study for a student-led initiative to change University of Washington graduation requirement policy. Based on this research, I then created a series of recommendations detailing a recommended action plan for implementing a UW graduation requirement. To ensure this project continues after I graduate, I have also formed a new student coalition and registered student group to foster campus support for the requirement and work with university faculty and administration to pass the policy through the appropriate channels. If this new requirement is enacted it will not only help the University of Washington emerge as a true leader in sustainability higher education, but will also ensure that graduate of the University of Washington understand sustainability and its applicability to their lives and careers, making them more prepared to tackle emerging global challenges.
My final report, which includes my project method, findings, and coalition documentation, can be downloaded here:
final_paper.docx | |
File Size: | 10045 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Final Poster
Available for download (higher resolution) below:
sp_poster_jasmineleung.pdf | |
File Size: | 960 kb |
File Type: |