University of Miami
EN-3: Student Life

- The Student Government Energy & Conservation Organization (ECO) - is the green branch of student government that was created to promote an environmentally friendly campus through beneficial and realistic green projects. - USGBC Miami Student Chapters represents a coalition of students and young professionals whose goal is to promote the integration of future leaders into the green building movement. - The Environmental Law Society examines policy issues and career opportunities in environmental law and related areas, and promote the environmental interests of the school and students at the University of Miami School of Law to the local and national community. - The University of Miami Engineers Without Border focuses on large-scale projects dedicated to enhancing quality of life in a sustainable fashion. (includes on campus and public service). - The CommUnity Garden Club created a raised bed garden and a food forest on campus. They promote sustainable practice in gardening and permaculture guidelines - The Climate Reality Project UM chapter: this group advocate for Climate policy and organize events, conferences and campaigns to promote Climate action on campus. - The ECO Cinema Club organizes screenings, discussions, and events based around environmental media and a yearly Green Shorts Film Festival . - The Atmospheric Science Club focuses on climate change outreach and science. - The Marine Mammal Stranding Team is dedicated to the protection of marine life - Amnesty International - Random Acts of Kindness encourages random beneficial community events on campus. Their main achievement has been the traditional celebration of Hug the Lake Osceola on Earth Day. - Nutrigardens. is a graduate student group from the School of Medicine helping K-12 schools to build vegetable gardens  - The Bicycle Club host Student Bicycle Station every other week, where they provide free and low-cost bicycle repairs and maintenance, as well as safety tips. - Florida Water and Environment Association reaches out to students with an interest in water and the environment, focusing on research, education, and professionalism. They also seek to provide students with opportunities to experience places of environmental importance firsthand. An important focus of the organization is to educate and spread the importance of water in local communities, mainly about the Everglades. - The Habitat for Humanity UM Campus Chapter's main goal is to assist the Miami chapter of Habitat for Humanity in its mission by recruiting student volunteers. - National Gandhi Day of Service's purpose is for participants to provide community service in the ideals of peace advocate Mahatma Gandhi. This event also aims to foster cultural awareness in addition to the direct service component. - The Rho Rho Rho is the University of Miami's Marine and Atmospheric Honor Society. Its mission is to promote conservation of the marine environmental awareness through trips and outings, educational talks, and sponsoring campus-wide events such as Ocean Awareness Week. - The Ethics Society organizes ethics debates, guest speaker series, and environmental ethics volunteer projects. - Plant Based Canes collaborate with our Dining Services to promote a healthier more sustainable plant based diet for our students - U Cook works closely with our Wellness Center to offer cooking classes and promote vegan and sustainable easy to make recipes to our students.

The CommUnity Garden's purpose is to engage students, faculty, and staff from all areas of the University to grow organic, sustainable vegetable gardens at the University of Miami and to educate all about the pathways food travels from seedlings to our plates. The Gifford Arboretum Sustainability Garden is located on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus. Up until summer of 2018, it was a “temporary” dumping ground for tree trimmings etc. from around campus. For almost 5 years before this, U Miami faculty and students had been campaigning for a dedicated gardening spaces for organizations and classes. During the summer of 2018 the site was cleared and leveled. Garden creation began in August 2018 and is ongoing.

A group of Computer Science students came up with the creation of an app to exchange and reuse items on campus. They are working with our U Thrift group to launch the app on our campus.

The U Green Revolving Reserve has been developed in 2015 for the institution as part of the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s Billion Dollar Green Challenge initiative. The Budget and Planning Department allocated an initial $1 million to go towards projects to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other cost savings sustainability projects. In addition, the UGRR fund academically oriented energy efficient R&D projects at our facilities as a test bed for national deployment.

Speakers, conferences,movies, lectures, symposiums, green fairs, Food Day, Recyclemania, America Recycles Day, World Water Day, Sustainability tours, Green Building tours, food recovery events, Bike Day and partnerships with local community. The events are all documented in our social media: https://www.facebook.com/Green-U-University-of-Miami-215493501847718/

Recycled Art Exhibits Movie Screenings

Canes Outdoor Recreation Programs (CORPs): Outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, biking, canoeing, snorkeling, horseback riding, windsurfing, adventure racing, sailing, and more! Scuba Club: The scuba club organizes discounted dive trips every weekend at locations ranging from Northern Florida to the Florida Keys. Surfrider UM promotes surfing, beach cleanups, camping/trips, clinics, beach days, advocacy action, and community service.

In 2018, the theme from Orientation to Homecoming has been to promote a Disposable Plastic Free life at the U. The culmination of this campaign has been the hosting of the National Geographic event at UM.

ECO Rep Sustainable Living in the Residences and our Green Move In and Move Out are promoted through Housing and Residential Life in partnership with the Student Government ECO Agency and the Office of Sustainability. It covers basic aspects of living in a sustainable manner on campus for our considerable population of residents.

Example of Green U - Office of Sustainability internship profile: The candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Sustainability Manager at UM on various Green projects implementation plans. Duration of the internship: Spring semester, 12-15 hours/week. The internship is for-credits Candidate will be part of the leadership team at Green U, working on Recycling and Waste Reduction programs. His/her role will consist of monitoring and enhancing existing programs like our Single Stream Recycling program, and participating in the creation of new programs for "non-conventional" recyclable items. Candidate will be responsible for certain data collection plans for our sustainability reports. We offer opportunities to work for the Office of Sustainability either as a Federal Work Study or as Communication and Outreach coordinator: https://greenu.miami.edu/about-us/our-staff/index.html

The Green Lab program is meant to promote sustainable practice in our labs, from energy savings to water conservation and waste diversion. The Green Athletics program promotes sustainability in Collegiate sports in partnership with national organization like the Green Sports Alliance, our Department of Athletics and classes from our Sports Administration Department