St. John's University, New York
EN-3: Student Life

The Earth Club, a special interest group which is a recognized organization under the University's Student Government, consists of over 50 members, with 20 highly active members. The club, a collaboration of students and professors, participates in fun and educational field trips, invites and organizes lecutureres and conferences, facilitates student engagement and assists in campus sustainability projects like recycling, composting, gardening etc.

The University Organic Garden was created in 2009 in a collaboration between the Earth Club and the Office of Sustainability. Currently, the garden contains 51 beds, totalling 1,500 square feet of planting space. In addition, a 100 foot area of a greenhouse is available for extended growing seasons, unusual crops etc. All proceeds from the garden are donated to a local, University-run soup kitchen.

The responsibility for the garden, both financial and administrative, is shared between the Office of Sustainability and the Earth Club, but it is open for all students, faculty and staff to enjoy and gain experience.

GLOBE, a student-managed academic program at St. John’s University, the Peter J. Tobin College of Business, provides loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world. Through GLOBE, students are educated about the world of microfinance while helping the poorest of the poor help themselves and their families out of poverty. Students, in describing their mission as part of GLOBE, say: “We are committed to building a global community (starting here at St. John's) that is going to contribute to the goal of eradicating poverty within our lifetime.”

GLOBE STUDENTS manage all aspects of the program including vetting loan applications, marketing the program, tracking funds flows, fundraising, providing technology to the field, and measuring program success.

GLOBE, a student-managed academic program at St. John’s University, the Peter J. Tobin College of Business, provides loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world. Through GLOBE, students are educated about the world of microfinance while helping the poorest of the poor help themselves and their families out of poverty. Students, in describing their mission as part of GLOBE, say: “We are committed to building a global community (starting here at St. John's) that is going to contribute to the goal of eradicating poverty within our lifetime.”

GLOBE STUDENTS manage all aspects of the program including vetting loan applications, marketing the program, tracking funds flows, fundraising, providing technology to the field, and measuring program success.

The program is offered as a one-semester, 3-credit course.

Various events are held each year with the purpose of informing students about sustainability issues, our local and global environments and courses of action for a positive sustainability future. These events are hosted by the collaborations of Earth Club, Science Department, Learning Communities and other interested parties. Among events were several sustainability workshops, gardening events, Lucid/ConEd Confernce tickets for Sustainability Coordinators, observances of Earth Day and Arbor Day, and Campus Sustainability Day.

Links to some events include:
1. http://www.stjohns.edu/student-life/student-development/academic-lecture-series
2. http://www.stjohns.edu/academics/schools-and-colleges/peter-j-tobin-college-business/center-global-business-stewardship
3.http://www.stjohns.edu/about/news/2014-05-12/sju-conference-examines-human-rights-through-lens-sustainability
4.

Every year the University chooses a literary work that aligns with its Vincentian mission. This year, "Walk in Their Shoes: Can One Person Change the World?" by Jim Ziolkowski was chosen. This incredible story promotes how one individual can have a great impact on the world and encourages lifting the less fortunate. This idea of "lifting one lifts all" encourages the social pillar of sustainability.

One room in each of the nine (9) residential halls has one Model Dorm Room, occupied by the Residential Sustianbility Ambassador for that building. The residents of the room are provided the training and materials needed to 'green' their dorm room, as well as to share expertise with peers, visitors etc.
Their rooms are open for visitors during set hours, weekly.

Paid Sustainability Coordinators and Analysts work under the Sustainability department on campus to help with record keeping, sustainable engagement on campus,and future sustainability planning for the Queens campus.

As a Vincentian university inspired by St. Vincent de Paul’s compassion and zeal for service, the Vincentian Torch of Service is a concrete reminder for graduates to seek a tangible way to live out the St. John’s mission in their everyday life after graduation. Graduates will be invited to keep the Vincentian charism alive in their family, work environment, community and in all future endeavors. Their participation in Vincentian service as undergraduates can be translated into their life after graduation, and will be actively encouraged by the University through continued contact and specific programming.

Pledge:
"As a graduate of St. John’s University, a Vincentian University, I pledge to use my education to respond to the needs of the materially poor. In doing this, I am making a
commitment to serve and to find ways to stop poverty and to work for social justice. As I sign this pledge, I
promise to find a tangible way to serve in my work, or in my community."

The Religious Department and Academic Service Learning Department encourage service to those in need and working for fair treatment of all persons in their curriculum.