Lakehead University
EN-3: Student Life

All of the following groups are student-governed. LUSU Sustainability Initiative The LUSU Sustainability Initiative is a student hub for education, action, skills and advocacy for a more sustainable world. It is student funded and led by a paid coordinator. sustain.lusu.ca Community Spokes Bicycle Collective Founded and operated by a mix of LU student, alumni and community volunteers. Community Spokes provides a number of services. Chief among them is education for everyone who enters the space, because we believe that knowledge held by all is more valuable than knowledge held by few. For those who know little about their bikes, we instruct you to fix it on your own, guiding you along the way. To this end, we can repair any part of your bike that needs attention, and provide routine maintenance for those parts that jiggle loose. We provide products and spare parts for a nominal donation: things like new cables, tires, and oil for your chain. We also rebuild used bikes and sell them at a reasonable price, in order to help fund our supplies. http://www.communityspokes.com/ communityspokes@gmail.com Planeteers LU Residence student-led volunteer group. The purpose of this committee is to help make students more aware of their actions and how they are impacting the environment. https://www.lakeheadu.ca/current-students/residence/tb/residence-life/committees Fossil Free Lakehead Fossil Free Lakehead calls upon Lakehead University to divest its endowment funds from the fossil fuel corporations that own the majority of carbon reserves and reinvest in socially responsible funds. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fossil-Free-Lakehead/344165165695928?sk=info Lakehead Orillia has a GREEN club

The following projects are student-governed. LUSU Summer Gardens Project Project manages three garden plots on campus, with the opportunity for 2 student paid positions each summer, and some additional workshop/volunteering opportunities for other students. https://www.facebook.com/LusuCampusGardens?hc_location=timeline Orillia Community Garden In June 2014 the Lakehead Orillia Community Garden Committee successfully submitted a proposal for two large pollinator gardens, as well as a three sisters garden, on campus. These initiatives have brought together students, staff, faculty and community members. Our goals are to encourage education on natural biodiversity, to support local bee and butterfly populations, to grow food (in Stage 2), and to build relationships with community partners. In the two pollinator beds a variety of indigenous flowers have been planted, including golden aster, sage, sunflowers, and a dozen other species. Orillia Composting Since January, 2014, LUSU Orillia has coordinated a volunteer-composting system on campus. This initiative grew out of a (Media Activism) classroom project that challenged students to affect social change in their community. Supported by staff and students, we presently manage 3 bins around campus, which are monitored daily. During the school year they typically require daily changing. Their goal with this initiative is to show a commitment to waste reduction on campus, with the long-term goal of having composting adopted as part of Lakehead’s broader refuse strategy. FSRN Community Garden Community Garden with opportunities for students and community to secure plots. There are educational opportunities in gardening. http://www.foodsecurityresearch.ca/index.php?pid=7 Winter Greens Program LUSU Food Bank operates program growing vegetables, herbs, etc. through the winter in the LU Greenhouses – opportunities for about 20-25 students to participate Adrian Arts, Food Bank Coordinator – foodbank@lusu.ca http://foodbank.lusu.ca

Campus Market Operated by students through LUSU Sustainability Initiative. The LUSU Campus Market exists to improve access to regionally produced food and crafts among Lakehead University faculty, staff, students, community partners and guests. The Campus Market also provides a venue for local farmers and artisans to sell goods, thereby helping to build a stronger local economy.The Campus Market features produce from Vegetate Market Garden, LUSU Campus Gardens, Belluz Farms, and Mile Hile Farms as well as baking mixes from Brule Creek Farms and a variety of jewelry and crafts from local artisans. Orillia Food Pantry Program In May 2013 LUSU began operating the Food Pantry program in Orillia. The Food Pantry is an anonymous food support system for students. To access an order, all one has to do is go on the LUSU website (www.lusu.ca) and click on the Food Pantry link; from this point one simply must fill out their order form (options are listed) and their order will be delivered to a specified drop-spot on campus. The drop-spot will be a locked locker. When a students’ order is ready they will receive an email telling them which locker to go to, and at which time, with the combination for the lock on it. Their food will be inside!

The following group is student-governed. Lakehead Microfinance Partnership The Lakehead Microfinance Partnership is a student-run, democratically-governed organization devoted to improving access to credit for small-scale enterprises. We emphasize support for those in the developing world, women, and enterprises of an ecologically sustainable nature.

The following event was student-governed. Act Out! Social Action Conference for youth Organized by LUSU and LU students 2 and 3 years ago, featured skill-building workshops for students relating to social justice and sustainability. High school students were also invited to participate. Current plans are underway to hold it again next year.

Every year the Aboriginal Initiatives and Aboriginal Cultural and Support Services organize a Fall Harvest. Students can learn many fundamentals of traditional culture from Elders. The Fall Harvest includes cultural activities such as: bannock and tea making, moccasin making, a medicine walk, harvesting wild rice, traditional fish-net making, a fish fry, cooking Indian corn soup, and children’s crafts and storytelling. The Fall Harvest is a unique learning opportunity about Aboriginal Culture. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event at the Lakehead University Sweat Lodge where new and returning students are welcomed. Every March the Lakehead University Native Students' Association (LUNSA) organizes a Pow Wow celebrating Aboriginal culture with drums, singing, dancing, and arts and crafts. All students are welcome. The Aboriginal Awareness Centre holds events throughout the year that are designed not only to share Aboriginal culture, but also to facilitate the sharing of culture generally. Other activities put on by the centre include pancake breakfasts, print-making workshops, feasts, film showings, and traditional crafts such as beading and moccasin-making. The Aboriginal Awareness Centre is a division of the Lakehead University Student Union, and therefore student-governed.

Lakehead's Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism program offers courses and field trips that engage and actively support Leave No Trace principles.

All of the following programs are student governed: Apocalypse Dinner Series With a tongue-in-cheek name, this series of food skills workshops is organized through the LUSU Sustainability Initiative. It aims to prepare students with the necessary skills to self-sufficient living. Green House One Residence “house” designated the “Green House” each year. Aboriginal Awareness Centre Various skills-based and/or traditional knowledge learning opportunities through LUSU’s Aboriginal Awareness Centre Helen Pelletier, AAC Coordinator – aac@lusu.ca http://aac.lusu.ca/ Bike skills workshops Through Community Spokes. Community Spokes provides a number of services. Chief among them is education for everyone who enters the space, because we believe that knowledge held by all is more valuable than knowledge held by few. For those who know little about their bikes, we instruct you to fix it on your own, guiding you along the way. To this end, we can repair any part of your bike that needs attention, and provide routine maintenance for those parts that jiggle loose. We provide products and spare parts for a nominal donation: things like new cables, tires, and oil for your chain. We also rebuild used bikes and sell them at a reasonable price, in order to help fund our supplies. http://www.communityspokes.com/ communityspokes@gmail.com

Sustainability Coordinator Coordinates LUSU Sustainability Initiative Sustainable Foods Coordinator Assistant to the LUSU Sustainability Initiative, focuses on food related programs Campus Cycling Coordinator Joint position with LUSU Sustainability Initiative/Community Spokes LUSU Food Bank Coordinator + Assistant Focus on food security/sustainability issues Aboriginal Awareness Centre Coordinator FSRN Garden Coordinators - through the FSRN