Sustainability Showdown

Sustainability Showdown is a program designed to reward and encourage sustainable changes and behaviors in the residence halls, ultimately creating a culture of sustainability at Florida State University. Through a partnership between University Facilities, University Housing and Sustainable Campus, residence halls have the opportunity to submit their programs and initiatives for points as well as be rewarded for a percent reduction in energy consumption month-to-month.

How it works

Starting August 2019, communities will be able to earn points for The Sustainability Showdown to recognize their community’s commitment to sustainability. There are two ways for communities to earn points:

1. RAs and other community leaders, such as IRHC members and EcoReps. can submit billboards, programs, initiatives, and more for points in The Sustainability Showdown through this Google Form

2. A monthly utilities report will be pulled for each community. A percentage of change decrease in the use of utilities based off previous years’ data will result in points being awarded to the community.

  • For bonus points, participants can tag @FSUsustainable on their social media in pictures/media of them completing sustainable actions such as turning off the lights when leaving their room with the hashtag #SustainabilityShowdown

  • All points will be awarded and determined by the Sustainability Engagement Coordinator at Sustainable Campus. Case-by-case point opportunities that do not fit into the above categories can be sent to the Sustainability Engagement Coordinator for evaluation. We want to reward and recognize all work that is being done on-campus!

  • Points and current standings will be shared monthly on Sustainable Campus’ social media and listserv. At the end of the fall semester, the mid-year winner will be recognized - they will be the community to beat spring semester!

  • At the end of the Spring semester, an award will be given to the community that has accumulated the most points to recognize them as the Sustainability Showdown winners!

What Counts for Points

At Sustainable Campus, we take a holistic approach to sustainability. We examine the way people, profit, and the planet interact with each other and what that means long term. We recognize sustainability does not exist in a vacuum and stretches well beyond the environment to include pursuing equity and justice for all. Therefore, any initiatives dealing with, but not limited to, the following topics will be evaluated for points: environmental sustainability, resource stewardship, social justice and inclusion, and economic justice.

Point Ideas

  • Collaborate with the Center for Leadership and Social Change to host a dialogue in your community around a topic

  • Help The Food Recovery Network fight food waste and food insecurity in our community by having them recover leftover food from community events 

  • Host a clothing or food donation drive and bring collected items to local organizations supporting or community

  • Invite Sustainable Campus to your community to get students engaged in sustainability on-campus

  • Make a team of residents and community leaders and come out to Garnet & Gold Goes Green on home football game days to help fans recycle their tailgating goods

  • Host a zero-waste documentary screening 

  • Invite Take Back the Tap into your community to do a water taste testing. See if residents can tell the difference between tap and bottled water and fight for global access to water and the reduction of single-use plastics. 

These initiatives are some ideas to help get your community started! As mentioned above, we want to reward and recognize all the amazing work being done in our residential communities. When in doubt, submit an initiative for evaluation. Chances are it will earn points!

Point Submission:

Points will be managed and awarded by the Sustainability Engagement Coordinator at Sustainable Campus. In order to be awarded points, please submit a description of your sustainability initiative to the Google Form

Point Values are as Follows:

  • Small programs and initiatives: 10 points

    • Small programs and initiatives are passive and require the least amount of time to complete. Small programs and 

    • initiatives give participants quick, easy to digest takeaways.

    • Examples: Newsletters, billboards, emails with applicable content

  • Medium programs and initiatives: 50 points

    • Medium programs and initiatives are active and engaging programs that occur in the residence hall. These programs seek to educate and engage participants around a topic or initiative.

    • Examples: Hosting a program, collaborating with campus and community partners

  • Large programs and initiatives: 100 points

    • Large programs and initiatives are active and engaging and occur outside the residence hall or benefit those outside the residence hall. These events seek to engage participants in experiential learning opportunities and service.

    • Examples: Gathering a team of people to go to G4, volunteering for FRN, hosing a clothing or food drive

Generally, the more effort and positive impact a program or initiative includes, the greater the yield in points! We want to make sure points are proportionate to the work being done!