Lewis University
EN-3: Student Life

The sustainability student club is comprised of 12 members from environmental science and business backgrounds. They meet bi-weekly and assist in planning, developing and implementing sustainability projects and events on campus/local neighborhoods. Every semester students are involved in various events that relate to environmental stewardship, environmental education and community involvement.

This past year Lewis University students were involved with a community garden in Fairmont(a local neighborhood). This community garden supplied food to the food pantry in the area as well as residents of Fairmont. They will continue to work on the garden this upcoming spring.

Also, students have networking opportunities through a regional network that Lewis University is part of that involves sustainable food systems and connecting farmers, government, community members, organizations and institutions.

Yes, the sustainability fund was passed and allows students to gain investment and financial skills through their project proposals that the sustainability fund will be supporting.
This year for the Come Clean Go Green Competition students will have an opportunity to think big and really make an impact on campus from support of the sustainability fund.

Each year the University holds a variety sustainability related events such as: America Recycles Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day and a Come Clean Go Green Competition. All of these events involve bringing students in as the main focus with different sustainability related topics and speakers. Other departmental groups on campus, related topics such as topics of urban farming and social justice. We also hold a speaker series where various groups such as the Will County Forest Preserve will present on opportunities for students to get involved.
This year the student sustainability summit was hosted where we had multiple guest speakers present that talked about sustainable food systems.

Lewis University is apart of SMHEC, The South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium, each year the group hosts a Student Sustainability Summit that allows University students to present on topics relating to Sustainability.

In the Fall of 2020, the University hosted an event that was coordinated with the Dioceses of Joliet that revolved around Earth's creation. This included multiple musicians and speakers that lifted up the student's appreciation for the earth. Community members, students, faculty and staff were invited to this event.

A major focus on natural areas has been placed on Lewis University, one such area is the Burnham Centennial Nature Trail. We focus on invasive specie removal, tree planting, community clean ups, prairie planting and much more that follow Leave No Trace Principles. We also coordinate hiking trips and tours that provide experiential learning opportunities.

Yes, we have themed weeks such as: recycle week, earth week and sustainability week.

Students are exposed to sustainability in many different ways at Lewis University. During Earth Day celebrations students are welcomed to learn more about ways to live a more sustainable life, through water conservation, energy savings, recycling, composting and more. Students are also exposed to sustainability initiatives through social media sites that will give out green tips and current sustainability related issues and topics.

A student group working with University Ministry has taken up social justice and environmental sustainability to their cause. They have planned a trip to the Eco-Justice Center in Racine, Wisconsin where they will learn about sustainable farming practices and living a more sustainable life. Over fall break, the same group of students also go on a faith based service and justice trip educating students about the connections between race, poverty and environmental degradation. This group participates in University Earth Week events and works to promote a sustainable lifestyle on campus.

A student sustainability internship position is available for any interested student. The student hired for this position works closely with the Director of Sustainability on campus to develop and promote new sustainability programs on campus. The student will assist the sustainability coordinator in gathering sustainability related data and by the end of the internship gain a better understanding of how sustainability is incorporated into a University setting and be better prepared to enter the market for green jobs.

Yes, we currently have a sustainability pledge. Students will have options to select on how they would like to pledge to live a more sustainable future. Then they will also have to provide a brief description creating their own narrative on how they would like to make an impact after they graduate.

Yes, a lot of our programs provide opportunities for others to participate. They have anywhere from environmental science students to sociology majors getting involved in our programs on campus.