University of Idaho
EN-3: Student Life

There are five student groups focused on sustainability, most notable is the University of Idaho Sustainability Center. 1. In 2006, he Sustainability Center (UISC) was established as the first student-led Sustainability Center west of the Mississippi, as part of campus-wide student movement with support from staff, community, faculty, all three student governments including the Associated Students University of Idaho (ASUI), Graduate Professional Student Association (GPSA), and the Student Bar Association (SBA), residence hall presidents, and many clubs. This effort culminated in the passing of a $5 per semester student fee that continues to support UI Sustainability Center activities. A student program manager and seven student coordinators are responsible for hosting 80-100 culture change activities annually. In addition, student staff recruit volunteers, support recycling efforts, develop print and electronic marketing, award up to $10,000 in student-led grant projects, and maintain list serves and webpages. Our Mission—A student-led and student-funded organization, the Sustainability Center supports efforts to create an active culture of sustainability, and we are committed to developing and maintaining healthful, educational living environments while fully integrating sustainable practices at the University of Idaho and in the communities where we operate. Sustainability involves reorganizing our life support systems; climate, energy, biodiversity, food, waste, transportation and built environment. We do this through projects that reduce our environmental footprint and increase participation and collaboration among students, faculty, staff and community members in addressing sustainability-related issues. https://www.uidaho.edu/current-students/sustainability-center 2. THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO (ASUI) The representative body of all undergraduate students, ASUI is comprised of three branches; executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch includes a Director of Sustainability position. This position serves as a liaison between ASUI and the UI Sustainability Center and is responsible for coordinating Fall/Spring recycling competitions, and encouraging sustainable practices at the University of Idaho. In addition, the ASUI president often collaborates with the Sustainability Center on conservation initiatives. http://www.uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/department-of-student-involvement/asui 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB (E-CLUB) The E-club provides students with environmental interests to address campus issues through environmental education and cooperative community interaction. https://orgsync.com/42229/chapter 4. SOIL STEWARDS Soil Stewards is a student organization whose members created and continue to run an organic farm within the UI Plant Science Research Farm. Soil Stewards goals are to promote the preservation of natural resources and sustainability through community outreach, research, and experiential learning. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Soil-Stewards-Student-Farm/120399105899?fref=ts

Soil Stewards Farm, founded in 2003, provides an opportunity for students to learn and practice the principles of sustainable, small-acreage market garden production. Our student farmers gain important hands-on experience and leadership skills through the operation of the farm. Students who work at the farm learn to apply scientific knowledge to management and receive the hands-on training to sustain the Soil Stewards Farm. Soil Stewards goals are to promote the preservation of natural resources and sustainability through community outreach, research, and experiential learning. It’s a diverse group joined by a desire to effect change and grow healthy, organic food right here on campus. Members include students, faculty, and community members alike. Students range from undergraduate and graduate members, art majors, soil science majors, agriculture majors and environmental science majors. https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/soil-stewards-farm

The Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP) is one of the only programs of its kind in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The program prepares students to solve the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering in the 21st century, as established by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Here are 5 out of 14 of the program focuses under the umbrella of sustainability. Sustainability  Make solar energy economical  Provide energy from fusion  Develop carbon sequestration methods  Manage the nitrogen cycle  Provide access to clean water Website:https://www.uidaho.edu/engr/programs/grand-challenges Clean Energy Club. The purpose of this organization is to educate, promote, and implement clean energy and sustainable practices in and around the University of Idaho. Website: https://www.facebook.com/VandalCEC/ The Clean Snowmobile Challenge team is run by a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate students and is open to all majors. The team has been competing since 2001 in the SAE collegiate design series competition by the same name. The objective is to make a stock snowmobile cleaner, quieter, and more fuel efficient. The competition originated to stimulate sustainable industry-level development that would help preserve land access for snowmobiles in environmentally sensitive areas. Members gain real-world engineering experience by working on projects that involve design, manufacturing, and testing. There are also opportunities to learn engineering soft skills such as leadership and communication. Website: http://idahocsc.wix.com/uicsc

The UI Sustainability Center (UISC) hosts various speaker series and symposia. As one example of many, in 2018, the UISC hosted the Alternative Energy Lecture Series in partnership with the National Biodiesel Energy Program and the Biodiesel Club. This speaker series was advertised directly to the student body through a UISC all-student email, social and print media. The speaker series poster has been uploaded in the optional documentation section of this credit.

The Sustainability Center and the English Department are collaborating on an annual book club series of events, to explore the environmental humanities through the genre of climate fiction. This semester's book club event series features four humanities scholars discussing themes related to the cli-fi book, Annihilation. The primary audience are undergraduate and graduate students from across many disciplines.

The University of Idaho Outdoor Program is a non-profit service organization providing the university community with education and resources for wilderness-based, human-powered, and environmentally sound activities. We promote teamwork, leadership, and growth through outdoor adventure experiences. The UI Outdoor Program runs over 60 field-based trips per year, totaling over 6000 contact hours with participants. Trips are run in four western states and include a wide variety of activities for individuals with varying experience levels. All UI Outdoor Program trips incorporate Leave No Trace education and principles.

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE: THE COMMON READ The Common Read is a program designed to engage the university and Moscow community, its students, staff, faculty and community members, in a unified intellectual activity. For first-year students it introduces them to academic expectations, respectful discourse, and community building. The 2016 common read was the “Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery.“Renowned author Sy Montgomery's latest gem is a must read for those who want to dissolve the human-constructed borders between "them" (other animals) and us. Surely, there are large differences among nonhuman animals and between nonhuman and human animals, but there also are many basic similarities. Connecting with other animals is part of the essential and personal process of rewilding and reconnecting with other animals, and The Soul of an Octopus is just what is needed to close the gap." (Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals) https://www.uidaho.edu/academics/general-education/common-read

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Student Leadership employment opportunities are offered at the U of I Sustainability Center (UISC). UISC is led by a student program manager and seven student staff positions responsible for coordinating events, volunteers, recycling, marketing, grant projects, website, and social marketing. Students receive training, support, and mentorship from the Sustainability Center Director and the Sustainability and Student Engagement Coordinator. The Sustainability Center does not have a webpage describing student employment opportunities. Each spring we announce employment opportunities through an all-student email, social media, and the Human Resources website. Student staff profiles and contact information are posted on the UISC website.

The Graduation Pledge of Social & Environmental Responsibility states: “I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work.”

Wilderness program: Trevor Fulton, Outdoor Program Director.