Florida International University
EN-3: Student Life

Garden Club - Provides a space for the FIU community to gain knowledge about the importance of local and sustainably grown food. Hosts workshops on a variety of topics including grafting, propagation, and zero waste. Organizes trips for members to go to locations such as The Everglades, The Pleasant Garden, and The Kampong Historic Estate and Garden.

Green Campus Initiative - The Green Campus Initiative (GCI) is dedicated to fostering a vibrant culture of sustainability on and beyond FIU. As a member of GCI, students join a community of passionate individuals committed to taking meaningful actions that contribute to a greener, more environmentally conscious world.

Sustainable Panther Network - Sustainable Panther Network (SPN) fosters a sense of optimism and urgency to accelerate the culture of environmental stewardship at FIU by connecting students with Student Government Association, eco-conscious student organizations, and mentors from academia, administration, and alumni networks with an aim to significantly reduce FIU’s negative impacts on the natural environment.

Soustainability - Soustainability gives students the tools to make sustainable choices inside and outside of the home via cooking lessons, engaging with local hospitality communities that share the same passion, and more regarding sustainability and hospitality/tourism.

Society of Sustainable Souls - Society of Sustainable Souls discusses topics such as zero-waste, fast fashion, composting, plant-based eating, and other sustainable tips and tricks, in addition to civic engagement in our local community.

The FIU Organic Garden is a hands-on teaching facility where agroecology students gain experiential learning about food production and its relationship to the ecosystem through gardening and plotted experiments. Adjacent to the FIU Nature preserve, the Organic Garden provides excellent opportunities to understand the various interactions between growing food and ecosystem needs. It contains 9 distinct areas for research and education: shade house, class plots, community plots, herb garden, fruit grove, meditation gardening, composting, biofuels and aquaponics. 

https://case.fiu.edu/earth-environment/agroecology/agroecology-research/

The Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator fellowship is a program that aims to foster entrepreneurship among creatives at FIU by aiding fellows in transforming their projects into viable, socially conscious products and businesses. Sustainability and environmental impact are taken into consideration during the process of creating socially conscious products.

https://carta.fiu.edu/ratcliffe/#fellows

The FIU Environment Forum is an annual event open to FIU students which hosts panel discussions with industry leaders centered around different topics such as Climate Tech and Coastal Resilience, Science and Public Choice, and Financial Innovation in Climate Policy.

https://environment.fiu.edu/programs/environmental-finance-risk-management/environment-forum/index.html

The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum is located on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC) making it very accessible for students to visit and attend events. Admission to the Frost Art Museum is always free and open to the public. 
Different art installations focused on sustainability that have been displayed in the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at FIU include:
Tratos, The Golden Lining, 2022- Ongoing
In this site-specific mural, created for the Frost Art Museum, the artists address environmental changes that have affected Florida’s natural environment and honor one of Florida’s most endangered species, the panther.

https://frost.fiu.edu/exhibitions-events/events/2022/09/the-golden-lining.html
Master's of Art Education Reception, 2020-2021
The artists Grace Cox and Julie Orsini Shakher works are informed by climate crises, global ecology, personal experience, and the investigation of gender norms.
https://frost.fiu.edu/exhibitions-events/events/2020/12/masters-of-art-education.html
Master of Fine Arts Exhibition, 2022
Brandi Long
Through the meticulous use of fiber products, Brandi Long’s sculptures inspire a heightened awareness of and concern for the frailty of our natural environment.
https://frost.fiu.edu/exhibitions-events/events/2022/04/master-of-fine-arts-exhibition-2022.html

The volunteer days offered by FIU Office of University Sustainability at the FIU Nature Preserve follow the Leave no Trace principles. The mission of the Office of University Sustainability is to create a culture of environmental stewardship at FIU. With all outdoor opportunities on and off campus the Office of University Sustainability encourages responsible enjoyment and adherence to the seven principles and practices of The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, with minor modifications to be relatable to campus rather than camping activities.

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces ~ Activity staging is considerate of land use and preservation
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impacts ~ Fires are not allowed without permit
• Respect wildlife 
• Be considerate of other visitors

https://www.givepulse.com/group/772428-Office-of-University-Sustainability

All FIU students living in campus housing are encouraged to adopt a sustainable lifestyle including reducing energy use, taking advantage of on-campus recycling, using non-toxic cleaning materials and more. FIU Housing and Residential Experience offers online resources that provide FIU students with information on sustainable living and examples of actions they can take to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
https://housing.fiu.edu/living-on-campus/sustainable-living/

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education offers sustainability-focused student jobs including environmental programs assistant for the School of Environment, Arts and Society as well as student communication assistant for the Institute of Environment.  

https://case.fiu.edu/opportunities/internships-jobs/

In 2022, a team of FIU Business students took first place in all three presentation categories at the virtual International Business Ethics & Sustainability Case Competition. The team worked on a case study about the popular fast casual restaurant chain Shake Shack and how it might adapt its menu to accommodate market demands for plant-based options and incorporate eco-friendly business practices. The rules required students to frame their solutions to the case dilemma in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Team FIU sweeps awards at IB Ethics & Sustainability Case Competition. | FIU College of Business