Campus As A Classroom

Student Innovation. Campus Collaboration. Sustainable Impact.

The Campus As A Classroom program provides on-campus, real-world learning opportunities about sustainability through paid internships for NC State students during the academic year (fall and spring semester). The internships pair students with operations-focused projects that improve campus sustainability. Each project is proposed and led by a university employee with expertise in the project topic to facilitate student learning and project success. The University Sustainability Office coordinates the Campus As A Classroom program and provides a year-long cohort experience for interns to develop professional skills and grow in their understanding of sustainability.

University employees are encouraged to participate in Campus as a Classroom by submitting proposals for on-campus sustainability projects that could benefit from having a student intern. Those who submit proposals should expect to act as the intern supervisor. In doing so, you can facilitate meaningful professional development and educational opportunities for students while taking advantage of an internal support network of faculty and staff across campus.

Funding

Because Campus as a Classroom internships are paid, those interested in submitting project proposals must also identify funding. In order to determine the amount needed for student compensation, project supervisors must first decide if their project will require either undergraduate or graduate-level students. Undergraduate students should be paid $12/hour, while graduate students should be compensated $15/hour.

Campus as a Classroom interns work 5 hours/week on their project and 1 hour/week on readings and activities associated with the cohort experience. Since students do not work over university holidays and breaks, they will work approximately 25 weeks throughout the academic year. Based on the 6 hour/week model, partners should request $1,800 for an undergraduate student and $2,250 for a graduate student for one academic year.

Depending on the funding source pursued, the financial details above will be required when you complete the various funding application. Below are the funding avenues with more details and application instructions for each option:

Funding Option	Description	Application Instructions	Application Deadline
Sustainability Fund	Partners must submit a detailed application to NC State’s Sustainability Fund. Those who apply through the Sustainability Fund will NOT need to complete a separate Campus as a Classroom project application. Applying through the Fund allows partners to also request funds to pay for additional resources associated with the project beyond student compensation.	When applying, mark “Yes” next to the Campus as a Classroom option on the “Application Information” section of the application. Specify the desired number of internships under the “Personnel” area of the “Project Budget & Justification” section of the application, but create separate line items if requesting more than one internship.	February 2022. You will be notified in April 2022 if funding is granted.
Provost’s Professional Experience Program (PEP)	Partners must submit a detailed job description for the work that the student intern(s) would complete. PEP is also limited to undergraduate students, so projects that require a graduate student should not pursue PEP. PEP will fund 75% of the position, while your department must cover the remaining 25%.	In the job description, indicate that you are submitting for a year-long position AND that you are interested in having the position be part of Campus as a Classroom program.	May 2022. You will be notified in June if funding is granted.
Federal Work Study (FWS)	Partners must apply to be a work study location. Your selection of students will be limited to those who have qualified for FWS. FWS will cover 75% of student compensation, while your department must cover the remaining 25%.	N/A	Applications can be submitted and approved on a rolling basis.
Department Funding	This funding avenue requires no application to an external funding source. Internal funding also allows partners to compensate students in the event that their student(s) must work more than 6 hours/week.	N/A	N/A

Submitting a Project

Prior to submitting a project proposal, please review our project guidelines and expectations document to ensure your project aligns with the program. Project applications will be accepted from December 1, 2021-May 31, 2022. You may submit your project application prior to identifying your funding source, and the Sustainability Office can offer support in applying through the various funding sources above. However, your project will not be eligible to be accepted as part of Campus as a Classroom until funding is finalized.

For any questions regarding the proposal, please contact Jessica Bast at jmbast@ncsu.edu.

Supervisor Requirements

Participate in the student interview and selection process (late June-late-July), which will be facilitated by the University Sustainability Office
Meet with the intern(s) at least once a week
Approve students’ timesheets on a weekly basis
Provide general project oversight and resources when necessary
Set clear project expectations at the beginning of the academic year

Campus As A Classroom interns apply classroom knowledge and develop meaningful skills in a hands-on environment while making an impact at NC State. In addition to working on their assigned projects, students are part of a year-long cohort. Through this cohort, interns participate in monthly meetings with fellow interns and complete supplementary workshop modules intended to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of sustainability principles, project management and professional development.

Internship Requirements

Attend all monthly cohort meetings
Complete supplementary workshop modules
Remain communicative and open-minded with all teammates and project advisor(s)
Maintain accountability for duties and responsibilities

Attend kick-off retreat in the fall semester
Dedicate 5 -6 hours per week for intern work and assignments
Complete timesheets on a weekly basis
Present project findings and results at the end of the academic year

Compensation

Students are paid bi-weekly as hourly employees through the PackPortal System, which requires students to enter their hours directly on a weekly basis. As a paid employee of the university, interns are required to complete an I-9 Form and to be onboarded into the NCSU payroll system. Interns will be required to provide 1) a current resume with appropriate address, 2) a passport or picture ID and Social Security Card, and 3) a NCSU ID number.

Academic Credit

Some degree programs require an external learning experience. Students selected for participation in the Campus As A Classroom internship program are encouraged to initiate opportunities for relevant academic course credit through their college or school.

Timeline

Internships are for one academic year starting in the fall semester. Interns will not be required to work over any university breaks. The application process opens in the summer after projects have been solidified for the upcoming academic year.