Green Grad Program
The Green Grad program aims to create student sustainability champions who are dedicated to sustainability at Butler University and who will continue to advocate for sustainability in their lives and future careers. Through participating in sustainability research, education, service learning, and events, students will empower themselves and their community to advocate for a safe, healthy, and equitable future for all.
To fulfill Green Grad requirements, students must complete a minimum of 10 points in sustainable activities at Butler, in the community, or while studying abroad. Once you complete your sustainability journey and receive a minimum of 10 points, you will sign a Green Graduation Pledge affirming your commitment to sustainability and receive a physical green cord to wear at graduation. The green cord serves as your visible commitment with other graduates to collectively contribute to sustainability in your lives, future workplace, and community.
Become a Green Grad
Interested students fill out a Green Grad intent to participate form. Once received, you will receive an email from Green Grad staff notifying you of your acceptance into the program.
Questions about the Green Grad program? Email the Office of Sustainability, at sustainability@butler.edu.
- All majors are encouraged to apply!
- If you are claiming an Environmental Studies Major or Minor toward Green Grad points, please note that you are not allowed to claim courses that have been counted toward university major/minor requirements. Any courses beyond the requirement may be counted.
- 10 points are required to receive a green cord for graduation
- You may use classes taken prior to enrolling in the Green Grad program to count towards your total points
- Internships are a minimum of 126 hours per semester
- You can do internships and/or volunteer with a sustainability-related organization both within and outside of Indianapolis over the summer
- You must fill out the Green Grad points form and include the required documentation every semester to provide details on your sustainability experience and receive points
You are responsible for completing the Green Grad points form at the end of each semester to update any points you earned. Green Grad staff will track your progress throughout the program. Once you have earned at least 10 points, you will sign a Green Graduation Pledge stating your commitment to sustainability in your future endeavors. At this time, you will also receive a physical green cord to wear at graduation.
If you are claiming an Environmental Studies Major or Minor toward Green Grad points, please note that you are not allowed to claim courses that have been counted toward university major/minor requirements. Any courses beyond the requirement may be counted.
| 1 Point | Required Documentation |
| Volunteer with a sustainability-related organization on campus or in the community. 10 hours per point, you can earn up to 5 points in this area | Volunteer form and 1-page reflection |
| Attend a sustainability-related on-campus or community event | Name the event and date in a 1-page reflection* |
| Take a 3-credit hour sustainability-inclusive (SI) course and receive a minimum B | digital transcript |
| Join a sustainability-related club and assist in the planning and/or development of an event, initiative, or program | 1-page reflection* on your participation in the club and the event, initiative, or program you helped develop |
| 3 Points | Required Documentation |
| Take a 3-credit hour sustainability-focused (SF) course and receive a minimum B | digital transcript |
| Complete a semester-long work-study/internship with a sustainability organization on campus or in the community, including study abroad experiences for one semester. You can earn up to 6 points in this area | 1-page reflection* of internship including the name of the host organization |
| Serve in a leadership role or as a board member in a sustainability-related organization/club on campus and assist in the planning and/or development of an event, initiative, or program | 1-page reflection* on your participation in the club and the event, initiative, or program you helped develop |
| Conduct research about sustainability while studying abroad and submit a reflection on your findings and experience. We encourage you to develop a research project that interests you. Projects should include site visits and/or interviews to learn about how that country/city incorporates sustainability into their way of being. You can deep dive into research in one area, energy, and visit a solar farm or research an overview of multiple sustainability initiatives for a wider look at how that place advocates for the environment and equity. | Compilation of research in report or infographic, blogs, photos, etc. and 1-page reflection*. If you write a report, you do not need to write a reflection. |
| 5 Points | Required Documentation |
| STS Minor | digital transcript |
| ENV Minor* | digital transcript |
| Apply and receive a grant from the FEAST Fund or Green Council and implement an initiative | Grant proposal and 1-page reflection* on initiative implementation |
| 7 Points | Required Documentation |
| STS Major | digital transcript |
| ENV Major* | digital transcript |
Reflection Prompts
When reflecting on your experience consider:
- How was organization/event/project connected to sustainability?
- What did I learn and/or do?
- What do I still want to know?
- How does this connect to my passions?
- How can I empower myself and/or others to create change around this issue?
- How could I incorporate this knowledge/way of being into my life and future career?