Student Eco-Reps
Student Eco-Reps is an environmental leadership program for undergraduate students to implement campus-based sustainability projects.
Student Eco-Reps
Student Eco-Reps is an environmental leadership program for undergraduate students to implement campus-based sustainability projects.
At a Glance
Penn's Student Eco-Reps is an environmental leadership program for undergraduate students interested in advancing sustainability through the implementation of campus-based projects.
Students work as paid employees of Penn’s Sustainability Office and collaborate with our University partners to carry out projects in support of Penn’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0.
Students have completed nearly fifty projects since 2016.
Each year, a cohort of 10-20 Penn sophomores, juniors, and seniors are selected to participate in the Eco-Reps program. Students meet weekly with staff in Penn’s Sustainability Office and work in small teams throughout the year to develop in-depth projects aimed at solving environmental challenges on campus. Initiatives may focus on topics ranging from energy conservation, waste and recycling, water conservation, academic initiatives, local food systems, environmental literacy, and more.
All of Eco-Reps projects involve a strong hands-on component and focus on creating solutions through analyzing the current problem, developing small-scale pilots, and then focusing on broader implementation. Students are asked to bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of willingness and motivation to each project in order to help them succeed.
The Eco-Reps program is organized by Penn’s Sustainability Office within the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services.
Please reach out to sustainability@upenn.edu with any questions.
FAQs
Penn sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Following presentations from project partners early in the semester, Student Eco-Reps are asked to give their project preferences. Penn Sustainability makes every effort to match students in one of their top choices.
We look for students who not only care deeply about fostering environmental change but who also possess the commitment and work ethic to transform ideas into realities.
Ideal candidates are:
- Passionate and knowledgeable about environmental issues
- Self-motivated and dedicated workers
- Responsible and committed to their role
- Enthusiastic about making a difference among their peers
- Experienced in environmental projects
- Able to work well on a team
All Eco-Reps are expected to work between 4 - 6 hours a week on average, which includes a weekly 90-minute meeting and a weekly 60-minute evening work session. Students may work
fewer or more hours in some cases depending on their academic load and specific Eco-Rep projects during a given week, but 4 - 6 hours will be the typical range.
Penn Sustainability will contact accepted applicants by July 15.
Staff and faculty from any Penn school, center, or department can submit a proposal to have 2-3 students work up to 7 hours per week on a project related to sustainability. Priority is given to projects that support Penn's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP 3.0) goals. The program is not currently accepting new project proposals. Submissions for the 2024-2025
academic year will be accepted on a rolling basis. All proposals may be sent to sustainability@upenn.edu and should include the following:
• Explain the problem that the project addresses
• Identify how the project meets goals set out in CSAP 3.0
• Outline project goals and objectives
• Describe the type of work that students will perform
• Define who will manage and mentor the students
