Montana State University
EN-3: Student Life

Sustainability Now (SNow)- SNow collaborates with community and campus entities on projects related to sustainability such as monthly volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and developing efficiency programs. SNow acts as the unifying body for students concerned with sustainability and represents the student body on these issues. SNow approaches sustainability through service, education, and activism. Friends of Local Foods- This group is a Sustainable Foods and Bio-energy System Program Collaborative working to engage MSU students in local food issues by promoting education, awareness, and action in areas such as food security, sustainability, nutrition, and food systems. We aim to bring together students and community members from diverse backgrounds, areas of study, and passions to bring innovative and practical solutions to local food issues on campus and within the community. MSU Montana Wilderness Association- MSU WILD seeks to connect outdoors-minded students with each other, and engage in measures to steward Montana's wilderness areas through student led activism and community engagement. Food Resource Council- The mission of the Food Resource Council is to evaluate needs and create solutions related to food access and food waste on the MSU campus to ensure that MSU is a leader in stewardship of its community and environment. Enactus-Social Impact Club- This group is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world. Thrive on Plants: TOP is an inclusive community for anyone that is looking to discover plant-based foods to boost their personal heath, improve the quality of the environment, protect animals, and fulfill their potential while celebrating life. Solar Car Club: The Solar Car Club strives to propagate interest in photo-voltaic technology throughout the world and educate the community on the possibilities of a solar powered future. Their current goal is to build a functioning solar powered car that can compete in solar races held around the world. Science Policy Advocacy Network (SPAN): SPAN is an MSU organization advocating for science-informed policy making at the university, local, state, and federal levels of government. They aim to use their position as students and faculty at a research university to rally support for progressive, sustainable, and scientific policies in Montana. Their goal is to make policy influence accessible to scientists, who often face different obstacles and pressures when making their voices heard in the political arena. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Engineers (ASHRAE): ASHRAE advances the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. Solar 4 Everyone: Solar 4 Everyone's mission is to fight poverty and climate change by helping to provide renewable energy to nonprofits and low-income people. Range Management Club: The Range Management Club exists to promote the knowledge and better management of North American rangelands and natural resources. Rangelands are complex and diverse systems that produce products such as food, fiber, forage, water, minerals, energy, wood, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. As future managers of rangelands we are committed to understanding how these systems function, and to becoming equipped to manage them so they are able to sustainably produce the above products. Wild Sheep Foundation Student Chapter: The Montana State University Wild Sheep Foundation Student Chapter adheres to the mission, vision, purpose, and values of the national Wild Sheep Foundation. We strive to enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.

Towne's Harvest Garden- The Towne's Harvest Garden is a three-acre diversified vegetable and educational research farm supporting a student-run, community-supported agriculture program. Towne's Harvest Garden promotes learning about food production, the value of eating and supporting local foods, community building, and individual empowerment. Several edible food gardens also exist throughout MSU's campus.

Events are regularly held throughout the year pertaining to a variety of sustainability related topics. Some examples include: Our Shared Place: The present and future of recreation in the Greater Yellowstone Kerry Shepard's Higher Education for Sustainability and Empowering Students in Sustainability Workshop Series Unifying Sustainability: A discussion on the future of sustainable agriculture

Network of Environmentally Conscious Organizations (NECO) created a recycled art installation in collaboration with the MSU Renne Library that was on display for three months. They created this for the library's Call of the Wild theme and for educational outreach to students and staff. Engineers Without Boarders holds a Junk to Funk Fashion show every year showcasing outfits made from recycled materials. This event is to raise awareness of waste reduction and promote sustainability on campus. Every year during Earth week Sustainability Now (SNow) and the MSU Office of Sustainability organize a large event celebrating sustainability efforts through a "Sustainabilibash" fair. Organizations from the university and community are invited to share their work with the public while participants enjoy food, art, and music.

Outdoor Recreation Program (ORP)- The ASMSU Outdoor Recreation Program provides the university community with opportunities for adventure, discovery, personal growth and engagement via human-powered outdoor adventure pursuits. The ORP provides education on LNT practices during their guided trips and workshops. Montana Wilderness Association at MSU- MSU WILD Works with students to protect Montana's wilderness heritage, quiet beauty and outdoor traditions, now and for future generations through recreation and education in Montana's Wild places.

Nutritional counseling and education for any dietary or nutrition issue including vegan and vegetarian diets is offered in order to help students navigate their way through Culinary Services dining halls and in making dietary choices while living on campus. MSU's Office of Sustainabiltiy and Residence Life also work together to teach students living on campus sustainable life skills such as recycling and reducing water and electricity consumption.

The MSU Office of Sustainability provides numerous student employment opportunities, including, project coordinators for various sustainability research and engagement projects, marketing assistants, and recycling associates Residence Life employs resident advisers who may work on its sustainability committee. As part of this position, they will work on developing sustainability projects and initiatives for the residence halls.

The Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems program offers a summer practicum at Towne's Harvest Garden. The practicum is usually taken in the summer after your Freshman year, and provides hands-on learning experience in small-scale sustainable production and marketing. Towne's Harvest Garden is a six-acre mixed vegetable farm that grows produce for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, local farmers' markets, and the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. SFBS 296 Practicum is designed to give students real-life experiences in food production, community supported agriculture, simple food processing, and food marketing. You will be involved in all aspects of the farm project: planting, maintenance, harvesting, distribution, and sales, and you can specialize in one particular aspect depending on your individual interests and project needs. Integrated Design Lab Bozeman (IDL)- The Integrated Design Lab | Bozeman is funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Their services include energy and lighting analysis for Montana architects and engineers who wish to become more aware of the environmental impacts of energy consumption. The IDL serves as the Montana contact for energy and daylighting information, education, and tools for assessing integrated design decisions. Located on Montana State University's Bozeman campus, IDL - Bozeman is affiliated with the School of Architecture. Founded by architecture professor Tom Wood, the IDL - Bozeman is now run by Kevin Amende, P.E., and Jaya Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D, LEED AP. Students from the architecture program assist with the Lab's projects.

http://www.idlbozeman.com/aboutus/ http://wildmontana.org/