State University of New York at Fredonia
EN-3: Student Life

SUNY Fredonia has several active and well-supported student groups. Two of these focus exclusively on environmental/sustainability issues: the Student Association’s Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and Campus Climate Challenge (CCC) Several others include environmental/sustainability concerns among their goals: the Biology Club, Campus Greens/National Green Party, the Geology Club, and the Wilderness Club. The Campus Climate Challenge (CCC) is a project of more than 30 leading youth organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada and is geared towards student activism. It is a group that strives to educate students and engage them in the community. CCC is part of a larger national movement presented by the Energy Action Coalition. The Challenge is growing a generation-wide movement to stop global warming, by reducing the pollution from our high schools and colleges down to zero, and leading our society to a clean energy future. Campus Climate Challenge website: http://fredonia.collegiatelink.net/organization/campus-climate-challenge Department of Environmental Affairs, or Environmental Affairs club, is a part of the President's Cabinet in the Student Association. DEA is supposed to advise the SA President in ways to make the campus as green as possible. By introducing legislation or suggesting projects, the committee has a direct impact to how the Student Association works. The DEA was founded in the spring semester of 2005 by Shaylah Reagan and the Student Association. This organization was given special privileges as an "Executive Committee" by the Student Association, to carry out its mission of making SUNY Fredonia a greener place. In general the club is an organization that provides a voice for the environment on campus. The group is willing to address any and all environmental issues, especially those that deal with on-campus issues. Among our chief concerns are increasing recycling on campus and creating a "carbon neutral" environment. Department of Environmental Affairs website: http://www.fredonia.edu/sa/environmentalclub/

ENACTUS formerally known as SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) "is an international non-profit organization that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, the student leaders of Enactus create and implement community empowerment projects around the globe. The experience not only transforms lives, it helps students develop the kind of talent and perspective that are essential to leadership in an ever-more complicated and challenging world." http://enactus.org/who-we-are/our-story/ SIFE at SUNY Fredonia: The Fredonia State SIFE Team was established 18 years ago by Business Professor, Dr. Franklin B. Krohn. For 12 straight years (1997-2009), the presentation team won the Regional SIFE competition and advanced to the National SIFE competition held in various cities throughout the USA. The SUNY Fredonia team has been re-building and now includes 40 students leading eight projects. The projects include focus on positive decision making through anti-bullying and MADD efforts; environmental efforts through Green Wave, Recycle INK and Fred2O cup; arts through murals in Dunkirk and an integrating event to increase awareness. Dr. Susan McNamara (W315 Thompson) is the advisor and can be reached with interest or questions. https://fsu4u.fredonia.edu/organization/Business/about

Earth Week each year brings student groups together to co-host, participate in, and attend a wide range of events. Student groups have included the Campus Climate Challenge, Biology Club, Black Student Union, Enactus, Improv Society, Graphic Design Club, DEA, to name only a few. Events in the past have included a trash dump (students and staff sort through campus trash and report on their findings), movie screenings, speakers (such as Ralph Nader, Lois Gibbs, Annie Leonard), and more. Earth Week at Fredonia has become a tradition, typically encompassing 25-40 events, including student exhibits, educational presentations, a green expo, an environmental film series, free open-to-the-community electronics recycling, an eco-fashion show, and many other events. WEBSITE: http://www.fredonia.edu/earthweek/ Earth Week 2012: April 2, 2012–Keynote Speaker Guy McPherson met with an audience of over 100 students, faculty and community members to discuss “Global Climate Change and Energy Decline” http://www.fredonia.edu/department/english/newsletters/May%202012.pdf http://www.fredonia.edu/face/pdf/FACE%20Center%20Annual%20Report%202011-2012.pdf Earth Week 2013: In 2013, two special Earth week “keynote” presentations were offered: Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins, co-founders of 5 Gyres Institute, gave the main Keynote presention, “The Perils of Plastic: Notes from the Oceans and the Great Lakes” http://www.fredonia.edu/gogreen/earthweek/keynote.asp Dr. Ingraffea, the Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering at Cornell, gave an address, “Unconventional Gas Development from Shale Plays: Myths and Realities” on high volume hydraulic fracturing. http://ww2.fredonia.edu/news/ArchivesSearch/tabid/1101/ctl/ArticleView/mid/1878/articleId/4240/Cornell_engineering_professor_to_address_shale_gas_issues.aspx Earth Week 2013 included 20 events attended by 1464 people over the course of 11 days. 237 students contributed 560 student volunteer hours to Earth Week projects.

SUNY Fredonia is known for its music, theater, and art programs. In addition to other events throughout the year, Earth Week always showcases these areas, such as the 2013, "Seeds of Change" exhibit (http://www.sgi.org/resource-center/ngo-resources/education-for-sustainable-development/seeds-of-change.html) and "Wasting Away" Art Competition (http://www.fredonia.edu/gogreen/earthweek/EWart.asp).

The student-run Wilderness Club encourages students to get outdoors and engage in activities like hiking, camping, horseback riding, rock climbing, apple picking, sledding, trips to the College Lodge, and white water rafting, while learning how to interact with the natural world responsibly.

Each semester the Sustainability Office accepts one student intern. The position focuses primarily on public relations with tasks including: Completing interviews and writing stories for the newsletter Maintaining social media sites including facebook, twitter, and instagram Working with the campus PR department on press releases Student interns are expected to attend Sustainability Committee meetings if their course schedule permits and work with committee members on various projects.

Student life at SUNY Fredonia is a rich experience, culminating each year in our Earth Week celebration, which brings student groups together to co-host, participate in, and attend a wide range of events. Student groups have ranged from the Campus Climate Challenge, Biology Club, and Black Student Union to Enactus, Improv Society, Graphic Design Club, and the DEA, to name only a very few. Earth Week typically encompasses 25-40 events, including student exhibits, educational presentations, a green expo, an environmental film series, free open-to-the-community electronics recycling, an eco-fashion show, and many other events. Past events have also included a trash dump (students and staff sort through campus trash and report on their findings) and notable speakers such as Ralph Nader, Lois Gibbs, Annie Leonard.WEBSITE: http://www.fredonia.edu/earthweek/ Although we do not currently have a graduation-specific pledge, SUNY Fredonia has a sustainability pledge that encompasses student life (and, we hope, their choices beyond their college careers). It states: "I pledge that during my years at SUNY Fredonia I will explore and take into account the social, economic, and environmental consequences of my behavior and that of my institution. I will learn about issues concerning environmental justice and sustainability, and will apply these principles to my everyday activities and behavior. Through my actions and involvement, I will promote enduring change in my campus community and wider world. Being conscious of my integral role within SUNY Fredonia’s commitment toward these values, I will hold myself, my fellow students, and my institution accountable." WEBSITE: http://www.fredonia.edu/gogreen/pledge.asp