Aquinas College
EN-3: Student Life

1. Students Striving for Sustainability: Provides an avenue for Sustainable Business students to take a more proactive role in business, social and environmental progress. Student-Governed. This group led the initiative to change the college's zero waste goal from 2020 to 2014, and even secured presidential support and approval. 2. EPIC is an organization that will provide students with real life experiences with a trip to Washington D.C. in its attempts to lobby for new green energy. The organization will work closely with the Grand Rapids community and local politicians to aid in our cause and also aid Aquinas College students in issues that are of importance to them. Student-Governed. 3. Keeping Bees: The purpose of this student organization is to teach students, faculty, and staff the role of honeybees and their socio-economical functions and purposes. Students will have the opportunity to study and interact with a bee colony (Apiary) on campus. Interactions with the Apiary range from simple observation and wireless data acquisition, to hands on honey extraction. This club has potential for serious integration with existing clubs Tri-beta and Students Striving for Sustainability. There will also be a focus on botanical restoration and ecological interactions on campus. Student-Governed. This new group has developed a program description and is seeking external funding for an Apiary.

The campus community garden is a volunteer-run program, with representatives from the student body, staff, and faculty. Not only does the community garden provide opportunities for growing local, organic food, but also opportunities for community outreach. The garden was started by a student group, but it is currently coordinated by the Director of Sustainability, with the help of student interns.

1. The annual Refresh Yourself is organized by Campus Life each Spring. This campus tradition is a night full of fun, food, and entertainment. It promises to be a great night! Beat the winter blues - take a break to rejuvenate with us this weekend as our sponsors, Coca-Cola, various AQ departments and RSOs, and other local businesses help us throw the biggest party of the year! Student-Governed Event and students are the intended audience. The event is also a zero waste event. 2. The annual Saint Stock event is organized by Campus Life and Campus Ministry each fall. Sponsored by Campus Life and Campus Ministry, Saint Stock is the combination of multiple resource fairs as well as Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) into one exciting Welcome Week event. Participants will be able to peruse the merchandise of local businesses, locate a faith community, explore volunteer opportunities in the area, join a campus club, and much, much more. Saint Stock is a wonderful networking opportunity as it allows for participants to explore the abundant options within the community. With nearly 500 incoming students signed up for the new school year, the event is a chance for the College and local businesses to showcase what they offer Aquinas students. Student-Governed Event and students are the intended audience. The event is also a zero waste event. 3. The Earth Day event is completely organized by students and students are the main intended audience. The day of activities include educational efforts related to sustainability and the environment, entertainment, and lots of information booths.

1. Nature Trail/Tree Guide: The Aquinas College campus provides access to a wide diversity of native trees and shrubs on our 100+ acre site. Walks along campus trails allow you to see examples of all native Michigan species, as well as a number of introduced types. It is a favorite fall stop for teachers, students, and nature lovers. 2. The Biology program offers field-based classes. BY 123 Environmental Biology is an intro to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with emphasis on human influences. The classes include weekly field experiences, which is based in on-campus and off-campus labs.

One of the practices included in our general education curriculum is a first year experience required by all incoming freshmen. Our First Year Seminar, beginning in Fall Semester 2014, includes a series of six lectures for first semester students, each followed by small group discussion and reflection assignments led by full-time faculty members from across the disciplines. The vision of Economicology and sustainability will begin to be introduced to Aquinas students in their First Year Seminar.

Aquinas has several Living Learning Communities (LLC's) on campus, offering upperclassmen students the chance to have an independent living style with the comfort of living in a house on campus. Each house has its own theme (Academic Leadership, Environmental Leadership, Campus Leadership, etc...) and is fully furnished with storage and laundry facilities. Each home also has a RA to help build community. One of the LLC's is generally focused on sustainability.

The Center for Sustainability employs 1 work study student and 3 student interns. All 4 students work 10 hours per week on dedicated sustainability activities.