Eco-Resident Certification Program

The USD Eco-Resident Certification Program is a joint project between the University of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric. The program is designed to help students living on USD’s campus become more sustainable in their daily actions. By participating in this program, students help USD lower its ecological footprint and set a positive example for other students living on campus at USD, as a model of leadership, initiative, and sustainable thinking.

Purpose

  • To connect students to resources for sustainable living
  • To form sustainability habits that will last a lifetime
  • To engage in friendly conversation regarding sustainability issues

The Certification Process

  • Takes ~45 minutes
  • Consists of a questionnaire-guided conversation, with tips and explanations
  • Grants points based on student responses
  • Contains some behavior-based questions and others more driven by the physical space
  • Includes the following categories:
    • Energy preservation
    • Water conservation
    • Waste reduction (including reuse and recycling)
    • Other conservation behaviors

Once the appointment is complete, students receive email follow-ups with information about office events, ways to stay involved, and tips on maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.

There are also gifts granted to participants!

Natasha Skrypek receiving her prize of reusable stainless steel straws.

Natasha Skrypek, Silver-Certified Eco-Resident, received reusable stainless steel straws!

Eileen Rhatigan, Certified Silver Level Eco-Resident, receiving her prize of bamboo toothbrushes.

Eileen Rhatigan, Silver-Certified Eco-Resident, received bamboo toothbrushes!

Registration

Students interested in becoming a certified Eco-Resident must choose a time slot from this spreadsheet and contact the Office of Sustainability. A representative from the Office of Sustainability will respond to confirm an appointment.
 
Note: If students would like to be become certified at the same time as their roommate(s), they will receive bonus points on their questionnaire.  One roommate must email sustainability@sandiego.edu  with the names and emails of each roommate that wishes to participate in the certification process. 
 
Please contact sustainability@sandiego.edu with any questions.

Highlights

52 students certified since December 2017

Top areas of success:
  • electricity conservation
  • refusal of single-use plastics
  • carpooling and/or using public transportation
Top areas for improvement:
  • water consumption
  • energy usage
  • reusing and recycling
power strip Use a power strip and remember to turn it off when not in use
open window Using natural lighting during the day helps to conserve energy
drying rack A great way to save energy is to use a drying rack for clothes instead of a dryer