Missouri State University
EN-3: Student Life

The Green Student Alliance (GSA) is the active sustainability-focused organization at Missouri State. The group is entirely student governed with new student officers elected by members each year. GSA works to educate and promote sustainability both within the club and to all students. GSA meets every two weeks and hosts and attends sustainable events and outings throughout the year like local stream cleanings and coordinating recycling for home sporting events. Every year, GSA organizes the annual sustainability conference and/or Ecopalooza.

https://www.facebook.com/gsamsu/

The Missouri State Campus Garden was funded by a student sustainability proposal in 2010. The garden is currently managed by four student workers and is cultivated by student volunteers. It provides students the opportunity to plant, maintain, and harvest healthy produce options used on campus and throughout the community. The students strive to use organic practices and experience every facet of a sustainable food system. The student managers perform all work related to the garden, including planning, purchasing supplies, planting, coordinating volunteers, harvesting and selling produce, marketing, and accounting.

https://www.missouristate.edu/sustainability/campus-garden.htm

Carrie's Café is entirely operated by students in the Restaurant Management class. Students manage every aspect of production, including food and menu selection, budgeting, preparation, serving, and marketing. Sustainability is a key component of Carrie's Café, emphasizing recycling and reusing strategies, smart energy and water use, and purchase of local food when possible. Carrie's Café currently partners with the campus garden to purchase some of their produce when possible.

https://hospitality.missouristate.edu/carries-cafe.htm

In March 2009, students voted to implement a $2 per semester fee to go towards sustainability initiatives on campus. Funds from the student fee are then matched by officials within the University up to $75,000 each academic year. The purpose of the Sustainability Fund is to provide the means to implement student-initiated projects on the Missouri State University-Springfield campus that focus on sustainability initiatives that lessen the negative environmental impact of the University. The Student Sustainability Commission, made up of six voting students and several non-voting faculty and staff members will evaluate all proposals submitted and allocate funds accordingly. The Commission has the authority to reject projects that are environmentally harmful or that primarily benefit a restricted academic department or group of students. Students go through the process of forming their idea into an viable proposal, submitting, and if considered, presenting and defending it before the Commission. This is intended to be a valuable learning experience for student, as well as an opportunity to be involved in something that betters the University and the environment.

https://www.missouristate.edu/sustainability/student-sustainability-fund.htm

The theme of Missouri State University's Fall 2018 Public Affairs Conference, The 2018 Public Affairs conference on campus focused on "Unity in Community". This event sought to address divisive issues that concern our communities. Not only the geographic areas where we live, but also the tribal, interpersonal, intellectual, and digital communities where we exist. While the idea of unity might seem distant and unattainable, at Missouri State, we affirm our inalienable constitutional rights. We celebrate our diversity and champion the rights of those who hold differing or opposing views. Some of the following sustainability components were addressed: Poverty, Justice, Green Infrastructure, Education.

https://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/conference/archive2018fall/schedule

Students involved in the green Student Alliance, Student Government Association, and Live Life Green, set up the annual Ecopalooza event. This event includes live music performances, and booths for vendors to display sustainability-related crafts, products and services in Spring 2019.

Outdoor Adventures creates recreational, educational, and leadership learning opportunities. Students participate in wilderness adventures and in turn gain an appreciation for the outdoors while meeting new people, improving fitness, learning new skills, and having fun. The Outdoor Adventures program does follow Leave No Trace principles.

Bears for Sustainability program for first-year and returning students. Bears for Sustainability students will become environmentally responsible citizens through education and community outreach opportunities that promote sustainability. Join the green movement by committing to live sustainably and creating positive environmental change locally and globally. https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/bears-for-sustainability.htm

A series of sustainable living workshops were hosted by students during the 2019-2020 academic year. The workshops focused on educating and helping students implement sustainable practices. Workshop topics included a wide variety: green cleaning, green crafts, clothing and costume swaps. Education strategies were delivered through discussions, student organization field trips, and hands-on practice.

The Bears for Sustainability Living Learning Community is open to first year and returning students who want to live in a community, committed to living sustainably and creating positive environmental change locally and globally. Students are provided a wide variety of activities and organizations to reach their goal.

The Student Recycling Coordinator Program, managed by Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services provides students with employment opportunities. Students perform recycling services, provide education and raise awareness in their residence hall, and coordinates floor volunteers. More information can be found here:

http://reslife.missouristate.edu/Recycling.htm

Student Recycling Workers is an opportunity managed by Environmental Management. Students perform recycling services for all academic buildings and outdoor recycling bins on campus, monitoring the bins and sorting comingled recycling. They also pick up batteries, ink and toner cartridges, and other materials when requested. More information can be found here: https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/193481.htm

Campus Garden Manager positions provide students with a competitive wage and experience with sustainable gardening practices along with the skills of running a large, profitable gardens. They operate all aspects of the garden, in addition to engaging the campus community in volunteering in the garden and purchasing the produce. More information can be found here: https://www.missouristate.edu/Sustainability/193481.htm