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

Students for Sustainable Agriculture - This club focuses on the role of sustainable agriculture in the daily life of a community. Members apply what they learn either hands-on in the campus garden and by promoting and advocating for the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture in the campus community. The club hold teach-ins hosted mainly by farmers and show films that educate members of the club and the student body about different farm and advocacy methods. They also attend and host workshops, as well as a winter conference which hosts a variety of farmers and professionals within the food industry. Their purpose is to help educate students, to learn from one another, and to provide a space devoted to sustainable agriculture. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Students-For-Sustainable-Agriculture/292427977550391 Student Organization for Business Ethics and Research - SOBER is a student-governed organization aiming to explore, learn and promote ethics and sustainability among business students and in the business world. The primary objective of the organization is to provide students with a vibrant test lab to expand their theoretical understanding and turn theory into sustainable business practices. http://www.newpaltzsa.com/organizations/fall-2014/sober Recycling Club - The purpose of Recycling Club is to promote recycling on the SUNY New Paltz campus and to raise awareness about environmental issues that affect students on campus and in the global community. As a club, we work to educate students, staff, and faculty about proper recycling rules and the benefits of leading a more environmentally friendly life. We hope this encourages people to choose and therefore engage in environmental and sustainable practices in their own lives. To achieve this, we hold programs, events, and demonstrations, collaborate with other organizations, put on media campaigns, and meet weekly. By making recycling easy, accessible, rewarding and fun the club works to maximize New Paltz’s recycling rates while minimizing waste, thus working to become a more environmentally sustainable school and community. https://www.facebook.com/newpaltzrecycles NYPIRG - NYPIRG is a non-partisan political student empowerment group that focuses on environmental issues, voter registration and mobilization, higher education accessibility, hunger and homelessness outreach, and consumer protection. Recent environmental initiatives include GMO awareness, banning hydrofracking in New York State, NYPIRG has been working on college campuses to preserve environmental integrity through reducing student exposure to toxic chemicals and promoting recycling. https://www.facebook.com/NewPaltzNypirg Outing Club - The New Paltz Outing Club is a student run organization that provides opportunities and resources to students that are interested in outdoor adventure sports. The club runs numerous trips near New Paltz and in the tri-state area that are accessible to anyone that attends club meetings. Past trips have included hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing, camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, slalom skiing (and snowboarding), backpacking, biking, and other fun and active outdoor endeavors. The Outing Club nurtures a collaborative community of students who share a respect for and connection to nature and the environment. One of the main skills taught students is leave no trace principles and practices. https://www.facebook.com/groups/SUNYNewPaltzOutingClub/ OxFam America at SUNY New Paltz is a social justice organization dedicated to fighting hunger and social injustice through a human rights based approach. OxFam has recently organized several field trips and events at local, sustainable farms. https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfamamericasunynewpaltz/

Student for Sustainable Agriculture manage an on-campus garden. They follow sustainable gardening practices including incorporating compost and lasagna gardening.

NYPIRG organized "Combating Climate Change: Steps and Solutions" in December of 2014 to keep the momentum going following the People's Climate March in September of 2014. Bill McKibben visited campus on September 16, 2014. American environmentalist and founder of 350org, Bill McKibben gave a talk about the impacts of climate change and what can be done about the climate crisis. Hunter Lovins visited campus on October 23, 2014 and spoke to business students, the Economics Club, and other interested members of the campus community. The Economics Club co-organized this event. Richard Louv was featured as part of the Distinguished Speakers Series on October 21st. He spoke about seven basic concepts that can help us reshape our lives. Louv believes that by tapping into the restorative powers of nature, we can boost mental acuity and creativity; promote health and wellness; build smarter and more sustainable businesses, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds. Following a viewing of Gasland II in October of 2013, Josh Fox spoke about natural gas and hydrofracking to a standing-room-only crowd at the campus' largest lecture hall. Following a viewing of the documentary Genetic Roulette in April of 2014, Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology spoke on campus about GMOs.

The University is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964 through a variety of events including lectures, hikes and educational panels. Students are encouraged to attend all of these events.

The student run Outing Club engages students in a wide variety of outdoor pursuits and promotes Leave No Trace ethics in all activities. This club advocates for connection with and respect for the environment through outdoors hobbies. The Athletic and Wellness Center's Outdoor Pursuits Program offers a variety of outdoor trips with guides who advocate Leave No Trace principles.

The Farm-to-SUNY team is showcasing one local fruit or vegetable each month during the 2014-15 academic year.

The Office of Campus Sustainability employs student workers to coordinate sustainability programs. During the Spring of 2014, the office employed two student workers. During the Fall of 2014, the office employed six student workers.

The Saturdays of Service program offers volunteer opportunities to students, many of which involve helping out on local farms that practice sustainable agriculture. This engages students in sustainability and gives them a chance to learn sustainable farming methods.