Syracuse University
EN-3: Student Life

Students of Sustainability at Syracuse University seeks to increase sustainability and environmental consciousness across campus. BrainFeeders works to establish long-lasting food access and justice programs throughout the campus. Syracuse Enactus (formerly SU SIFE) includes students from various disciplines who are committed and dedicated to developing community outreach projects that contribute to environmental, economic and social sustainability. NYPIRG SU and ESF - The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) is New York State’s largest student-directed consumer, environmental and government reform organization. SU-ESF Habitat for Humanity works with the local Syracuse Habitat for Humanity affiliate to help eliminate sub-standard housing in Syracuse as well as across the country on the group’s Alternative Spring Break Trips. Net Impact - Net Impact partners with leading profit and non-profit organizations enabling members to use business for social good in their graduate education, careers, and communities. Students for Tomorrow's Energy Policy is primarily for students in the Maxwell School of Public Affairs and Citizenship Food Recovery Network consists of students who go to various dining halls and cafe’s on both campuses and collect perfectly untouched food that would be thrown away if it weren’t recovered. This food is taken to shelters in the Syracuse community.

Syracuse BrainFeeders, a student organization in Falk College’s Food Studies program, is partnering with Common Threads CSA to bring fresh produce to campus. Common Threads delivers the boxes to a building on campus every Thursday. Members can purchase two share sizes. A full share is $280 total (approximately $31 per week), with 8 to 10 types of sustainable and locally grown vegetables. A half share is $150 total (approximately $16 per week) and has 4 to 5 types of sustainable and locally grown vegetables.

The Enactus students, through the SU Whitman School of Management, have to incorporate sustainability within their projects. https://voices.whitman.syr.edu/student-life/undergraduate/enactus-students-creating-positive-change-through-social-entrepreneurship

Spring 2017 – free screening of new documentary “A Plastic Ocean” with a pre-film panel discussion which includes Amanda Gabryszak, a licensed New York State Wildlife Rehabilator, Andrew Radin Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA), Director of Recycling and Waste Reduction, and Tom Rhoads, Commissioner of the Department of Water Environment Protection for Onondaga County Fall 2016- Free screening of the new documentary “At the Fork” with a post-film discussion panel which included Matt Volz, Greyrock Farms CSA owner and farmer; Jim Daddabbo, managing partner of local restaurant Mesa Grande Taqueria, which supports local and uses sustainable practices in its restaurants; and Meg Lowe, culinary nutritionist and intern for Sustainability Management. Spring 2016 a free screening of Naomi Klein documentary “This Changes Everything” https://news.syr.edu/2016/01/screening-of-climate-change-documentary-this-changes-everything-64867/ Fall 2015- Speaker: Naomi Klein This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate http://lectures.syr.edu/lectures/this-changes-everything-capitalism-vs-the-climate/ Fall 2014 -Speaker: Van Jones the founder of Green for All, a national organization working to get green jobs to disadvantaged communities. He was the main advocate for the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, the first piece of federal legislation to codify the term “green jobs.” Under the Obama administration, the Green Jobs Act has resulted in $500 million for green job training nationally. http://lectures.syr.edu/lectures/green-jobs-and-sustainability/

Syracuse University holds an annual Earthfest, which features student groups and activist, art installations and activities, all focusing on sustainability. This event is promoted heavily both on campus and in the surrounding community.

Syracuse University's Outing Club has organized hiking, camping, backpacking, kayaking, climbing and other outdoor recreational outings for students since 1935. All outings are organized and conducted with the expectation that participants will “Leave No Trace.”

First-year Forums and Transfer Forums are offered the following presentations: The Remarkable Story of Onondaga Lake Climate Change — What Does it Mean for You? Sustainability — Whole Systems Thinking The campus and You - a Jeopardy Game Recycling and Waste

Sustainability is not just about “green” programs; it requires healthy relationships between the environment, the economy, and human society. Building such relationships is a primary goal of the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion at SU’s Maxwell School. Through its Healthy Monday campaign, the Lerner Center works to help people draw the connections between daily behaviors, personal health, and the health of the community.

The intern’s jobs include research and sustainability awareness programs for the Syracuse University community. The interns collaborate with other student interns and Sustainability Management staff to support research initiatives, tabling events, help education to improve rates of recycling, waste reduction, composting, and promote the use of tap water. Applicants must have a basic knowledge of sustainability, the SU campus and be enthusiastic about helping the campus adopt sustainable behaviors Positions are posted on the SU Employment : https://www.sujobopps.com/ when a position is available. When a position is available it can be found here with off campus opportunities : http://sustainability.syr.edu/actions/jobsfellowshipsinternships/

Campus as a Laboratory for Sustainability funding is a program that offers incremental dollar amounts for each year, starting at $50,000 first year, $75,000 second year for sustainability related research that will lower our carbon emissions.

Past programs and workshops: Under the sponsorship of SU Showcase, students have been able to earn credit for hands-on workshops about sustainability on campus and in the local community. Spring, 2014 - SOL 300 Verdant Compound (Now called WILDER Compound) Fall, 2013: Waste Watchers, SOL 300: Biodiversity and Art, 2012-2013: SOL 300/CLB 400: LAKE, STORY and RITUAL, SOL 400/CLB 400 The Creative Climate, SOL 300 What’s on your Plate? A Food Action Workshop, SOL 300/CLB 400 Plastic Impact The University offers a variety of different programs for students: Spring 2014 - Wildly Interdependent Living and Design Education for Resilience -hands-on introduction to resilience and urban sustainability. Fall 2014 -SOL 300 What's on Your Plate? - Organic, Local, Free range, Sustainable, Artisan, Fair Trade, Health food... Do you wish you knew what the proliferation of food labels and choices really means?