Michigan State University
Tier2-4: Themed Housing

The Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment (RISE) incorporates a living-learning experience for incoming-freshman and transfer students interested in including environmental studies as a specialization within their curriculum. Students in the program live together on one floor of a residence hall where Resident Advisors are chosen from former RISE students. The program assists incoming students with adjustments to university living and promotes engagement in sustainability among peers. RISE is supported by seven different colleges including: the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, College of Arts and Letters, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Natural Science, College of Social Science and Eli Broad College of Business. The wide range of colleges and degree programs included in the program enables peer-to-peer education on a breadth of environmental interests and concerns. The program’s curriculum includes a freshman seminar which introduces students to sustainable initiatives on campus, maintains a strong focus on career development and encourages engagement in the campus and neighboring community by requiring a student outreach project. In the upcoming years the program is looking forward to moving into newly renovated, Bailey Hall. Once the residence hall is completed with renovations it will incorporate sustainability as a key focus within the building itself including a passive-solar hoophouse.