| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 35.51 |
| Liaison | Jessica Thompson |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Northern Michigan University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Sarah
Mittlefehldt Professor Earth, Environmental & Geographical Sciences |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student Groups
Yes
A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
Students for Sustainability and Garden Club seeks to pursue and promote practices of sustainability on a personal level through: (1) exploring lifestyles, life choices, education, and careers in line with these practices; (2) following the mantra "Someone can't do everything but everyone can do something;" (3) grassroots activism on campus and within our community; and (4) organizing and attending functions designed to create awareness for the necessity of sustainable living. This club sponsors activities that are environmentally/sustainability focused, bringjng awareness to local agriculture, provide students and people in the community with opportunities to learn, act, and grow, promote the inclusion of minority groups in sustainable practices, and other things such as festivals, film series, camping, and open forums. Email mbenton@nmu.edu for more information.
Multiple other student groups organize around one or more aspect of sustainability, including the Northern Trail Heads, the Environmental Science Organization, the EEGS Garden Club, the Fisheries and Wildlife Association, and the Aquatic Biology Club.
The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):
Gardens and Farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The Superior Acre Permaculture Garden incorporates permaculture and sustainable land use principles into a permaculture garden site. The site provides an educational source of promoting community and student involvement, where individuals learn how to establish an alternative method to producing food in harmony with natural laws.
The Northern Michigan University (NMU) Hoop House serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.
The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):
Student-Run Enterprises
Yes
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
The NMU Hoop House produces and donates sustainably grown produce. This hoop house employs and is operated by NMU students. It serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):
Sustainable Investment and Finance
No
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
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Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
The Northern Climate Network is a campus-wide consortium providing opportunties for faculty, staff, students and community members to discuss and learn about climate change in our region. As of August, 2015, we have more than 150 members representing 35 different departments and the Marquette community. Interests include community ethics and policy, education and communication, and solutions/alternative energy.
The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):
Cultural Arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
The Devos Art Museum at NMU frequently features exhibits which relate to some aspect of sustainability. Examples include the 2013 exhibit "What is a Trade?", which illustrates some of the complex interrelated economic, cultural, and environmental issues associated with globalization; the yearly Rabbit Island exhibit, which is filled with reflective works created by various musicians, painters, and other artists who resided on the island and touches on sustainability-related issues such as climate change, overpopulation, and land use; and the Helsinki Choir's "State of the Union", which considers environmental crisis, economic inequality, and other socio-environmental issues. Currently, the museum is featuring the "Surviving the Anthropocene" exhibit. See below for more information on past exhibits featured at the Museum and a detailed description of "Surviving the Anthropocene."
http://art.nmu.edu/department/museum/archive.html#!
http://art.nmu.edu/department/museum/featureThree.html
The website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):
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Wilderness and Outdoors Programs
Yes
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
The Outdoor Rec Center organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and other outings for NMU students. These activities are guided/led by students who have taken a variety of Leave No Trace courses. See below for more information on NMU's Outdoor Rec Center and offerings:
https://www.nmu.edu/recsports/outdoor
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
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Sustainability-Related Themes
No
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Sustainable Life Skills
No
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):
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Student Employment Opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
Both the NMU Hoop House and the NMU Outdoor Learning Area employ student supervisors who oversee the operations & maintenance of the areas in addition to coordinating student worker/volunteer scheduling and involvement.
The NMU Hoop House serves as a collaborative learning center for eaters of all ages who are curious about where food comes from and how it is grown. Through research and education on sustainable agriculture, the project aims to expand our local food system, increase food security, and provide increased access to fresh, healthy food.
The goal of the NMU Outdoor Learning Area is to maintain and develop sustainably designed green spaces for academic and recreational experiences on campus.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
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Graduation Pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Other Programs and Initiatives
Yes
A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The Decolonizing Diet Project (DDP) was an exploratory study of the relationship between people and Indigenous foods of the Great Lakes Region. Very few studies have ever been conducted on this subject matter, and studies that examine the physical, cultural, and legal/political dimensions are practically non-existent.
The DDP chronicled the year-long experience of 25 voluntary research subjects--including students, staff, and faculty members--as they adhered to a diet consisting of 25-100% Indigenous foods from the Great Lakes Region, and an exercise regimen developed in consultation with an exercise science specialist and/or their personal physician.
The DDP incorporated self-monitoring by the research subjects using video, photo, audio, and written journals/logs. The DDP staff was seeking answers to questions, such as: will this improve health, and what kind of social barriers will be encountered, if any?
Access to Indigenous foods came from the local economy, foraging, hunting, fishing, and gardening. A database of Indigenous foods and availability was developed by DDP staff and is available at the DDP group site. To access the master food list visit: https://share.nmu.edu/moodle/course/view.php?id=33.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):
Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.