Sonoma State University
EN-3: Student Life

Students for Sustainability Club: The club’s mission statement: "Our purpose is to cultivate a sense of culture between students and faculty through the platform of sustainability.” Community engagement, awareness, and policy transparency are among many of the possible outcomes from this club. Their vision is to establish a group of individuals who will act within their community to promote sustainable resolutions in regards to the environment, economy, and society as a whole. The clubs goals are to: 1. Collaborate with the community on sustainable initiatives that aid the development of the club along with the campus community. 2. Promote Sonoma State unity through mutual relationships among diverse social networks like other clubs, Greek life, and student run organizations. 3. Use sustainability as a catalyst to promote a thriving living and learning environment for students. 4. Engage interested students in policy forums and discussions like the Sustainability Council

Campus Garden: With the support of our department, SSU students have maintained a food-producing organic garden on campus since the 1970’s. Over the years the garden was renamed the “Garden Classroom” and was moved to the current site (on the Campus Master Plan) adjacent to the Environmental Technology Center. The garden is a nexus for many student groups, but the goal is the same. Volunteers from classes in many disciplines across campus, IRA-funding volunteer coordinators and site managers, students in ENSP’s course on Agroecology, JUMP groups, student clubs seeking service opportunities, and many others put in the hours and effort to help the garden thrive. The primary goal of the Garden Classroom is producing fresh, healthy, organic produce for people in need. We accomplish this task by working with our local food bank (NOAH – Neighbors Organized Against Hunger), based on Snyder Lane only a few blocks from campus. On most Wednesdays, SSU students harvest and deliver to the food back a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegies. We average well over 1000 lbs of produce a year representing dozens of different food crops.

Farmster: The goal of Farmster is to create a way for people to become more aware of their produce. Mainly, where it comes from and how it's grown.​ With a focus on staying local and developing a sustainable business model, Farmster plans to stay in Sonoma County and hopes to work among crop-producing individuals in the area.

Environmental Forum: A class available for all students to drop in on or sign up to get college credit that has speakers, alumni, nonprofit representatives, and faculty that work with sustainability in mind to come and give a presentation. Sustainability Day: A day devoted to the sustainable works, programs, and ideals of sustainability. Earth Day: A student run all day event on Earth Day with activates, displays, and talks about our earth and how to be sustainable on it.

The "Soundscape Project": This was a unique collaboration and cross-disciplinary project engaging Sonoma State University students studying environment studies, engineering science and dance bring to the stage a original and unique dance piece showcasing the sounds of natural soundscapes. The perfect merger of art and science, the Soundscape Project uniquely blends video and acoustic recordings. With training from naturalist and bioacoustics expert Dr. Bernie Krause, students from Environmental Studies and Planning recorded a diversity of natural and man-made sounds in the field. SSU engineering students archived recorded material and created "best of" recordings to be made available as indoor soundscapes and ambient noise for events and functions. Choreographers Christine Cali and Kristen Daley and dance students used the original score to explore the sounds and create a new interpretive dance performance.

Outdoor Pursuits Program from the REC Center: Our programs include activities such as hiking, backpacking, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, cycle touring, mountain biking, hot spring soaking, backcountry cooking and camping. To supplement our programs ODP also offers a range of Wilderness Medicine courses and Wilderness Orientation experiences throughout the year. While our trips and courses may vary in terms of commitment and physical demands, all trips are designed for those with little or no prior experience in mind. Outdoor Pursuits trips are a great way to gain knowledge and experience with outdoor skills, make new friends, escape into the natural world and explore the limits of what you are capable of! All trips will include components on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, principles and practices.

Adventure Living Freshman Living Community: This community is for students interested in exploring programs and activities around campus and throughout Sonoma County. Sonoma County’s proximity to the ocean, mountains with great hiking and biking trails, and the greater Bay Area provide a great setting for exciting exploration.

The Wellness Community is a space for students to connect with peers who are excited about lifelong health and well-being for all. This community would be ideal for those students interested in the health-related or social science fields, and/ or those students committed to a substance-free lifestyle. Examples of programs for this theme include exercise programs in partnership with the Recreation Center, outdoor activities, stress relief activities, healthy cooking demonstrations, community health and wellness volunteer opportunities, and science-related career exploration.

Sustanability ambasidor for culinary servises: A position that supervises and focuses on improving the sistanable nature of the campuses culinary servises. Sustainability director of JUMP. Senator of Sustainability for student government. The Sustainability Coordinator of the REC Center.