Florida International University
EN-3: Student Life

GLADES (Growth of Leadership, Academics, and Diversity in Ecological Sciences) is FIU’s premier ecology club and a chapter of Strategies for Ecology Education Diversity and Sustainability (SEEDS), a student program of the Ecological Society of America. GLADES strives to grow and diversify the field of ecology by reaching out to students at FIU, one of the top minority serving institutions in the country.GLADES currently hosts meetings twice a month for students to learn about ecological research at FIU and career building opportunities in ecological sciences. They offer volunteer opportunities at locations across South Florida with local environmental organizations. In the future GLADES will establish a research project at our very own FIU Nature Preserve, host ecological workshops, and plan outdoor adventure trips. a subunit of GLADES is Students for Environmental Action (S.E.A.) is a student organization that focuses on educating students about local, and global environmental issues. It is a multi-dimensional club in that we work with on campus issues, while still seeking to address environmental issues on a political level. S.E.A. organizes clean-ups and hosts educational seminars throughout the semester, as well as, the State of the University in the Fall semester. IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions) strives to create self-sustaining, proactive university groups on campuses across the U.S. which empower youth leaders to initiate the type of environmental change that our communities need to see. Each university chapter focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to Educate, Empower and Engage peers in environmental sustainability by offering innovative solutions through Research and Development (R&D), Action, and Environmental Awareness. With a focus in educational outreach, IDEAS provides service learning and volunteer opportunities through hands-on, action based practices which focus on environmental education, stewardship and conservation. In addition, IDEAS performs scientific research in advanced biofuels, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Garden Club - maintains the FIU Organic Garden and meets weekly. A portion of the produce is harvested from the garden for sale at the weekly on-campus farmers’ market. Organic Farmers Market Consortium - coordinates and manages a weekly Farmers Market during the Fall & Spring semesters on FIU's Modesto Maidique Campus. Some of the produce sold at the markets is grown in the organic garden on campus. The Consortium also invites local organic farmers and vendors to participate in the market. Proceeds go to the consortium to help with the organic garden on campus and the managing of the market. Age of Aquarius is a student-run organization at FIU dedicated to educating students and society about the health of our oceans and the vital role that Aquarius Reef Base plays in the future. While focusing on education, outreach and service, Age of Aquarius helps to engage and inspire the community and provide an outlet for students to become a part of the legacy of Aquarius.

The FIU Organic Garden was established in the Summer semester of 2007 on the southwest corner of the Modesto Maidique campus, adjacent to the university’s 11-acre Nature Preserve. It was started as a research plot by one of the graduate students for his master's project. The FIU Organic Garden is a hands-on teaching facility where students gain experiential learning about food production and its relationship to the ecosystem through gardening and plotted experiments. The garden contains 9 distinct areas for research and education: shade house, class plots, community plots, herb garden, fruit grove, meditation gardening, composting, biofuels, and aquaponics. Two entities are involved in the maintenance and operation of the garden: the Agroecology program and the Garden Club. The garden is a USDA sponsored 'People's Choice' Garden.

The Organic Farmers Market Consortium is a student run organization that coordinates and manages a weekly Farmers Market during the Fall & Spring semesters each Wednesday from 12pm to 3pm on FIU's Modesto Maidique Campus. Students manage all money made by the market and use profits to improve the campus garden and operations of the market. Some of the produce sold at the market is from the organic garden on campus. The Consortium also invites other local organic farmers, vendors, and campus departments to participate in the market.

Founded in 2008, the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) was created with the idea of giving students a hands-on experience with equity analysis and portfolio management. The Fund is arranged to resemble a diversified buy-side fund, split into sector teams with managers and analysts. The teams meet on a weekly basis, exchanging ideas and working together to identify potentially profitable equity positions in the markets. After consolidating the information into a full report, the teams present their picks to the advisory board, comprised of the Fund Manager, Flavio Carrillo, and other faculty and professionals. At the end of each term, the SMIF writes and publishes an annual report that is sent to its donors and board.

The Office of University Sustainability coordinates annual campus events that coincide with national events such as: Campus Sustainability Day, FIU Earth Day and RecycleMania. The School of Environment, Arts and Society (SEAS) hosts a number of academic events and lecture series that include "Water & Sustainability" and "Our Common Future" lectures. The school also hosts various community events that reach out to the South Florida community such as: "Zoo FIU," "Ocean Life," and the "Eat, Think and Be Merry" science cafes. The Agroecology program holds a number of educational events throughout the year for students. One being their annual "Agroecology Symposium" which creates a dialog between well-known panel guests and students regarding global development in sustainable agriculture topics. This 1-2 day-long event also highlights students’ research projects through poster and oral presentation sessions. The event is attended by more than 120 participants, ranging from FIU students and faculty, high school students, local farmers and businesses, and the USDA. http://www.arc.fiu.edu/feature/water-sustainability-lecture-series-history-of-hydraulic-research-in-the-u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-featuring-mr-jose-sanchez/ https://seas.fiu.edu/community-events/zoo-fiu/ https://seas.fiu.edu/community-events/ocean-life/ https://seas.fiu.edu/community-events/eat-think-and-be-merry/ https://agroecology.fiu.edu/events/

Eco Couture was created with the purpose of promoting sustainability through fashion. It is made possible by the collaborative effort from Florida International University's students, FIU's Department of Architecture, and the Office of University Sustainability. Eco Couture is a one of a kind event featuring a recycled fashion show competition, giveaways of recycled projects constructed by students, and recycled art installations.

FIU has an outdoor program managed and offered through the Wellness and Recreation Center. The outdoor program is called Adventure X Programs and it is designed to get the FIU community outdoors to experience recreation opportunities available in South Florida, the state, and the Southeastern U.S. Trips and classes are open to FIU students, Recreation Members and the FIU Community (FIU-affiliated, non-Recreation Members) at differing costs. Recent trips have included an annual ski trip, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and cycling. The Recreation Center contracts with different companies to host trips, when choosing a partner, FIU looks for companies who use the 'Leave No Trace Principles'. On the Biscayne Bay Campus, the School of Environment, Arts and Society hosts an EcoAcademy summer camp for ages 6-16. The camp features marine science activities, swimming, kayaking, and arts and crafts and two additional weeks of marine science exploration and fun. https://seas.fiu.edu/outreach/ecoacademy/

FIU is also proud of its newest residential hall on campus, Parkview, the first LEED certified dorm on campus. It was built adjacent to FIU's Nature Preserve and incorporates sustainability education opportunities for its residents into the building. This building will soon be home to the newest living community. This past semester from a large pool of applicants a Sustainability Living Community (SLC)was selected based on part to the individuate's likelihood to contribute and participate in sustainability initiatives on campus. Such initiatives include arranging expert and peer education for learning sustainable life skills. When there is an available room, Housing and Residential Life works with the Office of University Sustainability to showcase environmentally preferable products, decor and eco-tips in the housing showroom. Products and tips demonstrated were gathered as part of a student intern project by an Masters of Public Health student who also developed a "Green Room" checklist for students living on campus. This checklist is also available on line. With more than 50,000 students, FIU has a relatively small residential student community of just over 3,000 students. The number of students wanting to live on campus is growing and the requests for on-campus housing is increasing. We expect that the SLC will reach out to all residents for sustainability life skills learning opportunities.

The Office of University Sustainability offers several different student employment opportunities. One is through the Federal Work Study (FWS) program. The FWS Program is designed to help students who show financial need to earn a portion of their educational expenses through meaningful employment. The program is administered by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO). Another student employment opportunity offered through the Office of University Sustainability is the FIU Urban Forestry Internship Program. The FIU Nature Preserve serves the university community as an outdoor teaching laboratory and is the primary training facility for urban forestry interns. Through hands-on field experience, conducting and assisting with primary research, presenting at and attending conferences, interns are able to learn about some of the various career options that are available to them in the growing field of urban forestry.

In 2013 and 2014 FIU graduates participated in pledging activities affiliated with the Green Pledge Alliance. The Green Pledge Alliance suggest making a pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions. Throughout out commencement week. An example, of activities included signing a large banner that was displayed at commencement.