Cornell University
EN-3: Student Life

Cornell students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students) from across all colleges are actively involved in over 40+ sustainability-focused student organizations. ECO (the Cornell Environmental Collaborative) serves as the umbrella organization, and coordinates projects, resources, funding, and advocacy among the various organizations.

Short list of student clubs, along with descriptions:
https://sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/programs-guides/student-resources/student-clubs

A full list of sustainability-focused student clubs is available via Campus Groups:
https://cornell.campusgroups.com/club_signup?category_tags=4294857&group_type=

Dilmun Hill Farm is a student-run farm that has been practicing sustainable agriculture on Cornell University's campus for more than a decade. Their mission is to provide students, faculty, staff and community with opportunities for experiential learning, group collaboration and research. Throughout the year they host work parties where volunteers work in the fields and experience the latest in sustainable agricultural practices. The student managers and steering committee members collaborate with the Organic Coordinator and Faculty Advisors to provide leadership in farm operations and disseminate information through education and outreach. They also collaborate with various organizations on campus, such as McDaniels Nut Grove. Their popular campus farm stand offers Dilmun Hill produce for sale from June through October and they supply local produce to Cornell's Manndible Cafe in season. https://cuaes.cals.cornell.edu/farms/dilmun-hill/

Cornell hosts many on-campus drop-off sites for CSAs, including in office buildings and academic buildings. Cornell hosts a weekly Farmers Market on the Agriculture Quad, where students have access to local goods and have the opportunity to work behind-the-scenes. https://cufarmersmarket.mystrikingly.com/

Cornell Dining works with Red's Best Fish to serve sustainably caught fish in dining halls on campus, and students are exposed to educational information.

- Anabel's Grocery is "for students, by students," and its grocery store and programming opportunities are open and accessible to all 23,600+ students on campus. Students can join the Anabel's Grocery leadership team by enrolling in the course AEM 3385. Anabel's team leaders receive ample training on-site. Anabel's provides nutritious, affordable food for all Cornell students through a student-run grocery store on campus and offers educational programs that create a fun, inclusive, empowering community around quality food, food choices, wellness, and positive social change. Anabel's Grocery was created and designed by students with the support of Cornell staff and faculty, and has been operational for over 2 years. Anabel's is supported by the Center for Transformative Action and the academic course that supports development through research.
http://anabelsgrocery.org

- GreenClub -- a subscription service to reduce your carbon footprint. $10/month - 95% to offset CO2 emissions via reforestation, 5% to operate GreenClub.
http://www.joingreenclub.com/

Cornell University students are strong advocates for sustainability on campus, in the community, and globally. The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise advises works closely with the following two graduate and undergraduate student organizations that approach sustainability through the lens of private enterprise:

- The Sustainable Global Enterprise Club empowers future leaders to integrate social and environmental sustainability into business and advances the professional development of students interested in sustainability-related careers by providing Johnson and the larger Cornell community with forums for networking and education. This is Cornell’s chapter of Net Impact for graduate students.

- The Cornell Energy Club is a professional graduate student organization focused on all facets of the energy industry from traditional energy to renewable energy and energy efficiency. The club’s goal is to educate the student body and our club members about industry trends and events, build relationships with companies and governmental agencies, and ultimately place our members in leadership positions at top-tier energy related firms and organizations.

- Cornell Sustainability Consultants is an undergraduate student organization that envisions a society characterized by strong circular economies and resilient communities committed to continued innovation and environmental stewardship. Each semester student teams work with organizations on Cornell’s campus and beyond, such as local organizations, small companies, and industry experts on real-world projects that meaningfully address modern environmental and social challenges.

- Impact Investing at Cornell provides undergraduate students with opportunities to learn and implement financial tools and market research to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and social issues through training and hands-on experience working with organizations whose missions involve the generation of positive social and environmental impact.

- Global Network is an undergraduate community passionate about engaging with global issues and perspectives through tangible projects, collaborative events, networking opportunities, and personal and professional development activities.

The Campus Sustainability Office, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise, Global Development, and many other department & centers host 400+ sustainability events on campus each year, including lectures, seminars, conferences, festivals, markets, and workshops.

SUMMITS, CONFERENCES, SPEAKER SERIES, AND MORE

- Sustainability Mix & Mingle - Fall and Spring networking events with students, faculty, staff, clubs & teams working to create a more just, sustainable, carbon-neutral campus.

- Cornell Sustainability Leadership Summit - The Sustainability Leadership Summit is an annual event which brings together campus community for networking and learning opportunities. All Cornell community members are welcome to participate. This year's theme, Connecting for Impact, invites the campus community to find new avenues for collaboration and shared passion to accelerate campus sustainability and culture change. How can we work together and find new synergies between our topics, projects, and ideas to advance sustainability in campus operations, teaching & research in our living laboratory, and in our community-engaged service and research? https://events.cornell.edu/event/2019_cornell_sustainability_leadership_summit

- Cornell Environmental Collaborative (ECO)'s hosts its Student Leadership Summit for students, staff, and faculty each spring - open to the entire campus community. Additionally, ECO partners with the Campus Sustainability Office to host an annual "Student Sustainability Leadership Retreat" to gather student organization leaders to network, attend skill/knowledge-building conference sessions, and plan for the academic year. https://cornelleco.org/conference2019

- Green Team Summit - This summit provides an opportunity for Cornell employees to learn and share strategies for building an engaged culture of sustainability on campus. The summit will host a series of speakers and interactive workshops that will help you advance sustainability within your work, department, unit, and the larger Cornell community in the following ways:Building sustainability and climate change literacy, Implementing business-level decision making, Fostering behavioral and structural change, Maximizing campus resources
https://sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/news/rescheduled-first-annual-cornell-green-team-summit-be-held-october-16th-2019

- NBA 6190 – Leaders in Sustainable Global Enterprise: speakers from the private, public and non-profit sectors discussing their organization’s approach to addressing sustainability concerns

- NBA 6380 – Finance & Sustainability Colloquium: speakers from the private, public and non-profit sectors discussing their work at the nexus of finance and sustainability

- Cornell Climate Change Seminar: This university-wide seminar provides important views on the critical issue of climate change, drawing from many perspectives and disciplines. Experts from both Cornell University and other universities will present an overview of the science of climate change and climate change models, the implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and food systems, and provide important economic, ethical, and policy insights on the issue. The seminar is being organized and sponsored by the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions, and the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future. The seminar is free and open to the Cornell and Ithaca Community at large.
http://www.atkinson.cornell.edu/events/ClimateChangeSem.php

SPECIAL EVENTS

NYCSHE conference: In December 2020, Cornell University hosted NYCSHE's annual "State of NY Sustainability Conference," virtually. This 3-day conference featured many keynote speakers targeted at both students and sustainability professionals, including Dr. Ayana Johnson, Bill Nye, and Raven the Science Maven. In addition, the third day of the conference was specifically geared toward student interests, and during the afternoon, we had over 20 student presenters host virtual tours, mini-presentations (2-min), and short presentations (20-min).

Cornell University departments host arts events, installations, and performances throughout the year that are directed towards students and also open to the public. For instance, the Cornell Biennial (highlighted below) hosted two exhibitions featuring seven international and U.S.-based artists as part of the Mellon Public Curatorial Expression program, dedicated to assisting graduate students in pursuing curatorial work. Additionally, the Biennial featured a fabric panel installation on the Arts Quad, which is traveled primarily by students.

Cornell Biennial "Futurities, Uncertain": Sponsored by the Cornell Council for the Arts and curated by Timothy Murray, the 2022 Cornell Biennial "Futurities, Uncertain" features exhibitions, installations, and performances by 23 international and 17 Cornell-based artists. Free and open-to-the-public events will rotate on the Cornell Ithaca campus and the Cornell Tech campus in New York City from July through December 2022. https://cca.cornell.edu/biennial/
- Film screening of "The Mermaids, or Aiden in Wonderland" at the Cornell Cinema promoted to students: https://events.cornell.edu/event/karrabing-film-collective-2022-cornell-biennial
- How might art activate empowering futurities under the troubling weight of climate change, global pandemic, racial trauma, political insecurity, social injustice, challenged women’s and sexual rights, effaced indigenous histories?
https://cornellsun.com/2022/08/24/the-fifth-cornell-biennial-returns-with-nft-artworks-and-exhibit-of-toilets/

Cornell Botanic Gardens Art installations are open to students and the public year-round: https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/explore/experiences/art-at-cornell-botanic-gardens/

Cornell CHE's Annual Upcycling Exhibit is open for students to contribute works of art, and the exhibit is hosted in the Human Ecology Building (or virtually) where students are encouraged to walk through between classes: https://www.human.cornell.edu/spotlights/mend-and-make-do-together

Cornell AAP's "Earth: Projections 50 Years after Earth Art" celebrated the work of land artists through an installation in Milstein Hall (Department of Architecture), and also include a speaker series directed towards students:
https://archinect.com/news/article/150170656/cornell-aap-s-earth-projections-50-years-after-earth-art-celebrated-the-work-of-land-artists

And many others listed throughout the year on Cornell's Events calendar: https://events.cornell.edu/

- Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) is the largest and most comprehensive collegiate outdoor education program in the country. Established in 1972, COE uses challenge, adventure, and outdoor experiences, with reflection and analysis, to help individuals and teams learn and grow. While COE serves a variety of populations, its central mission is to serve Cornell students. COE classes and programs, by complementing academic and classroom offerings, provide students with real world leadership and team opportunities. Classes include day hiking, backpacking in the Finger Lakes, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, tree climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, and sea kayaking. All courses emphasize the importance of the natural environment and Leave No Trace principles. COE also oversees the Outdoor Odyssey program (https://scl.cornell.edu/coe/odyssey), which enables new students to participate in outdoor pre-orientation trips (e.g. hiking, backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing). https://scl.cornell.edu/coe/about/mission

- Nature Rx @Cornell: Nature Rx @Cornell is a dynamic and growing movement, represented by numerous individuals and units at the university, who have come together with a shared passion for the ways in which the natural beauty of our campus can positively impact our students' well-being. https://naturerx.cornell.edu/#/index

Cornell's Campus Sustainability Office manages outreach campaigns throughout the year.
https://sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/take-action/sustainability-events

During the Fall semester, Cornell runs Climate Action Week, which focuses on climate change and energy issues. During the Spring semester, Cornell hosts the "Beyond Waste" campaign focused on waste reduction and diversion (in tandem with Campus Race to Zero Waste). We work to incorporate social justice concepts into our events and presentations throughout the year.

April is "Sustainability Month" at Cornell. During the month, student organizations and department across campus collectively host 80+ events for the local and Cornell community.

Our Sustainability Leadership Programs (for students and employees) uses semester themes and college specific data to educate the Cornell community on sustainable actions.

ECO HOUSE
The nearly 100 residents of Ecology House have a variety of majors and backgrounds, but all share an interest in preserving and protecting the natural environment. Residents are dedicated to sustainable practices like recycling, composting, organic gardening, and energy conservation, and organize environmental-education outreach programs for the campus community. The community allows out-of-house memberships, so all Cornell students can get involved in a sustainability-forward community.

Ecology House offers a wide range of activities and experiences for students, including regular hiking and camping trips, mending workshops, energy conservation campaigns, cooking community dinners, offering a "fully stacked" waste sorting station (with terracycle, plastic film recycling, battery recycling, compost, and more), managing backyard compost and an on-site greenhouse (which they designed and constructed), and weekly social events (e.g. ice cream and movie nights). Major house events include a weekend retreat in the Adirondacks each fall, with zip-lining, hiking, and canoeing, plus house leadership retreats. Another unique perk at Eco House: residents may keep certain types of small pets (in cages or aquariums) if registered and approved by the house's Residence Hall Director.
https://scl.cornell.edu/residential-life/housing/campus-housing/upperlevel-undergraduates/program-houses/ecology-house

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STUDENT EDUCATOR PROGRAMS
Many student organizations host sustainable life skills sessions, like Sustainable Laundry skills, cooking with food scraps, mending clothes, reducing home energy use, using reusables, and more.

The Residential Sustainability Leaders also created a Green Room Certification where students learn ways to live more sustainably in residence halls.

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MISSION SUSTAINABILITY
As part of our incoming educational module for new students, Cornell includes a Top 10 Ways to Live More Sustainably at Cornell list. This list covers sustainability ideas and habits Cornell students are encouraged to consider, ranging from what to pack for move-in to campus water, food, waste, transportation, and more.

The Campus Sustainability Office (CSO), Office of Energy Management, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise (SGE), Cornell Botanic Gardens, Dilmun Hill, and Cornell Dining (and more) offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities.

In a typical year, the Campus Sustainability Office provides 5-10 specialized sustainability internship positions, working on initiatives focused on engagement, marketing, communications, website development, STARS data, energy dashboard management, Greek Life, and buildings & utilities. During the pandemic, we retained three student positions focused on STARS, communications, and buildings/utilities. In 2021-2022, the office had 8-10 students employed depending on the time of year.

Cornell Dining usually hires 3-5 Student Sustainability Coordinators who act as sustainability consultants to the dining staff and purchasing department, and who educate students about local foods and waste management.

Eco House hires a Program Assistant focused on implementing sustainability initiatives within the community, and other residential communities are offering "sustainability liaison" roles to their Resident Advisors. Also, the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise typically employs 1-2 student interns per semester.

Job openings are advertised on the Opportunities Marketplace (experience.cornell.edu) and via many of Cornell's listservs.

Cornell offers a wide variety of co-curricular programs and initiatives that engage with the campus, local, national, and international community on sustainability issues.

Examples:
- Sustainability Leadership Program - Our new Sustainability Leadership Program helps Cornell Atkinson and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) postdocs develop into leaders who prioritize listening, responsiveness, respect, and equality in their research and collaborations with government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private-sector organizations, and communities. Designed in partnership with EDF, the program helps sustainability scholars develop essential skills in interdisciplinary, cross-sector, and community collaboration as well as science communication, policy development, career design, and leadership.
https://www.atkinson.cornell.edu/postdocs/susttraining.php

- Our university-wide seminar, "Cornell University Climate Change Seminar," provides important views on the critical issue of climate change by engaging experts from both Cornell University and other universities.
http://www.atkinson.cornell.edu/events/ClimateChangeSem.php

- Environmental Finance and Impact Investment (EFII) Fellows Program: Cornell University's Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs (CIPA) launched parallel EFII Programs in the spring of 2011 which were designed to prepare students for careers related to finance and sustainability, including environmental finance or impact investment in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Through a series of courses, coupled with applied capstone projects, students are trained to invest in, manage, and regulate businesses or projects seeking financial, environmental and/or social goals. The EFII curriculum provides rigorous training in each of the following four subject areas: Economic and Political Analysis, Finance and Analytics, Science and Technology, and Markets and Regulation. https://www.johnson.cornell.edu/center-for-sustainable-global-enterprise/students/efii-fellows-program/