Loyola University Chicago
EN-3: Student Life

Student Environmental Alliance The Student Environmental Alliance is a campus organization dedicated to protecting and sustaining our environment. They accomplish this purpose through education and action. The group strives to educate themselves and the Loyola community about the existing instability of our world. Through action, they take this new awareness and translate it into tangible actions to stop environmental destruction and create solutions for a better future. The Student Environmental Alliance has an active membership of 30-40 students, with an email and volunteer list of over 100 students.

The Quinlan Balcony Garden houses the first campus urban agriculture garden which was launched in 2009. Vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown in over ten raised beds built by students. The rooftop conditions give students the opportunities to experience growing food in conditions that differ from ground level production. The rooftop also offers the ability to grow food in urban conditions when ground-level space is not available. Sub-irrigatation techniques are installed to promote healthy root systems and conserve water due to dry conditions as a result of the high winds.

ChainLinks is one of four student-run enterprises at Loyola University. This particular business rents out brand new hybrid bicycles to students, faculty, and staff for the day, week, month, semester, or full year. The company employs undergraduate Loyola students, provides internship credit, and teaches students the necessary skills to run and manage a business that benefits students, faculty, staff, the surrounding community and the environment. Chainlinks is also equipped with a full-service maintenance and repair center that is open to the public as well. The ultimate goal is to continue to promote bike advocacy around campus and an enjoyable riding experience for every customer. In order to achieve this mission, employees are available to answer all biking questions as well as provide suggested bike routes to those who may not be familiar with biking in the area. Philanthropy is a priority to this company. After covering operational costs, a portion of the profits is available to the student body to host guest speakers on campus. The remaining profits go towards new business ventures, which will allow the program to expand.

The Green Initiative Fund is run by 7 students with three staff advisors and oversees the dispersal of $50,000 per year.

The Center for Urban Environmental Research & Policy in conjunction with the Loyola University Libraries host a documentary film series in order to encourage continued dialogue on environmental and sustainability issues in the media and popular culture. Each film is followed by a group discussion with a panel led by an expert in the subject area of the featured film. Previous films have focused on a wide range of topics. A few of the films that have been shown are: THE LAST MOUNTAIN: A documentary that discusses the battle being fought over a mountain in the valleys of Appalachia. It is a battle with consequences that affect every American, regardless of where they live. It is a battle over protecting the environment from the destructive power of Big Coal. VEINS IN THE GULF: A film that traces the environmental crisis of southern Louisiana, the history of Cajun culture, and rapidly disappearing bayous. NO IMPACT MAN: Documents the journey through one year of life with a New York family that decides to give up television, electricity, and eat as naturally and locally as they can.

A sustainability cinema series focused on climate change.

The Office for Outdoor Experiential Education (O.O.E.E.) serves the Loyola University Chicago community by providing integrated educational experiences designed to foster the student promise of care for self, care for others, and care for the environment. Using the outdoors as classrooms, students participate in challenging and intentional, group-based activities that provide space for reflection and leadership development.

In academic year 2011/12, the theme was 'No-Impact'. Author Colin Beavan was on-campus to speak the entire 1st year class read his text.

As part of the Institute of Environmental Sustainability's San Francisco Hall, a demonstration room was opened in August of 2013. This room is occupied by the GreenHouse assistant and is available for special events and during admissions tours. Although currently unavailable, we are working to make this an online, interactive resource.

Multiple student worker positions at Loyola Limited companies and with the Office of Sustainability and Institute of Environmental Sustainability.

Other co-curriculars include student led businesses at ChainLinks and the Flats.