Nova Southeastern University
EN-3: Student Life

The purpose of Green Sharks Sustainability Club, is to educate students, faculty, and the university community about sustainability and environmental issues. The organization works with students, other organizations, and university departments to coordinate educational events, spread awareness, and advocate for sustainable initiatives at the university and among the student population in a manner consistent with the most up to date and accurate information available.

Epsilon Eta Environmental Honors Fraternity is an organization centered around sustainability and professional development within the field. It is open to students of all majors, and works to spread awareness about sustainability and environmental justice issues. Its philanthropy is the National Parks Service, and
the organization hosts fundraisers to support this cause. All members are also required to complete 5 community service hours per semester, preferably in a way that supports the environment.

Additionally, Nature Club is an organization that promotes green choices on campus and is all about getting students out into nature. Nature Club is dedicated to making NSU's campus and community more aware of Florida's native flora and fauna through education and hand on experience in hiking, snorkeling, and camping.

The Halmos College of Arts and Sciences at Nova Southeastern University is home to the collaborative National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI), a program established by a Congressional mandate in 1998. Students, both Undergraduate and graduate, have the ability to learn from and work along-side researchers at NCRI that are exploring scientifically sound approaches to understand, assess, monitor, restore and mitigate injured coral reefs.

NCRI is recognized by NOAA as one of its external coral reef research institutes. NCRI's management-oriented research is designed to provide solid information and research products designed to help understand, manage and conserve these invaluable assets for generations to come.

Through the Razor's Edge Scholarship program students are given the opportunity to design and manage their own business. Many students have designed independently owned businesses with a sustainability consideration, such as a clothing thrift store with a sustainable business model, a farmer's market providing access to sustainable and organic options to students on campus, and many food or beverage businesses that reward students for bringing their own containers and utensils. Additionally, currently one of our student ran businesses “Mako Manor”, a clothing line on campus, donates a portion of proceeds to conservation practices in Florida.

Nova Southeastern University has a Sustainability Fund that is used to transfer money from different departments into various sustainability projects. The use of funds is directed by student workers.

The Sustainability 101 Series is a set of luncheon seminars that brings in local businesses, government agencies, and more to speak on sustainability topics with students, faculty, and staff.

The Distinguished Speaker Series hosts numerous professors or guest professionals to speak on various sustainability related topics throughout the year. Next Climate - Sustainability Series Talk - lecture series on climate change. Green Shark Club hosts numerous on campus events every year advocating sustainability initiatives.

Each year, NSU hosts an Earth Day event through a collaboration of organizations and departments that features various environmentally focused art pieces and performances.

Additionally, through a local participation with the Marine Environmental Education Center (MEEC), NSU participates in sponsoring the annual environmental art festival in Hollywood, FL.

Outings throughout the year such as hiking, kayaking, beach clean ups, and camping trips are planned by Nature Club, Epsilon Eta, and the Campus Life and Student Engagement Office.

Every two weeks the institution hosts an event called Shark Tank Thursday, in which student organizations can present to the entire university community. The Green Sharks Sustainability Club and Epsilon Eta Environmental Honors Fraternity often host a table featuring a variety of sustainability topics both on campus and at home. The content presented here is also put online to reach an additional audience of students.

The Chartwells Dining program at NSU in partnership with the Office of Student Life and Civic Engagement host teaching kitchens that highlight recipes focused on local produce, reducing waste, and eating sustainably.

The Student Sustainability Coordinator position under the Physical Plant Department allows students to work on sustainable initiatives and improvement projects, providing an insight into the student perspective on the program.