University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Tier2-1: Student Group

The Active Energy Club is devoted to bringing together students of different disciplines with interests in energy in order to promote awareness about alternative/conservation technology and to provide an information and research base for furthering more energy efficient processes. Campus Beyond Coal, through the Sierra Student Coalition and Sierra Club, are working to get the University of Minnesota to make a public commitment to move beyond coal as soon as feasibly possible. Beyond Coal is looking to take the University to that next step in being a sustainability leader by moving away from burning dirty coal. Do It Green! U of M Chapter helps students of all majors and interests at the University of Minnesota expand their commitment to being green and living sustainably by promoting a healthy and green 'U.' EcoWatch is a student organization at the University of Minnesota that works to expand the environmental dialog and engage students on campus environmental issues. It is a non-partisan group that focuses on campus outreach events and represents students on campus sustainability issues. Members also work with local, state, and national environmental and clean energy campaigns. Engineers Without Borders' mission is to partner with disadvantaged communities around the world and to improve their quality of life through implementation of engineered projects that prove environmentally and economically sustainable. Goals are achieved through cooperation with group members, fellow institutions, and mentors on the basis of commitment, persistence and concern for the recipients of the group’s efforts. Environment Alliance is dedicated to environmental activism and communicating ethical and environmental perspectives with local and federal government agencies. They hope to provide a networking tool for those interested in a career in environmental law and policy development as well as assist members in internship placement. The goal of Greeks Going Green (3G) is to challenge Sororities and Fraternities each year to make at least one lifestyle change in each of their respective chapters to get them on track to living in the most environmentally efficient quarters and/or leading the most eco-efficient lifestyle they possibly can, given their resources. Green Biz is an official Carlson School of Management (CSOM) student organization (open to all U of M majors) with the mission of reducing CSOM's environmental footprint and promoting ecological sustainability in the global business community. Based in the College of Design, Greenlight works to inspire future design leaders to shape physical environments in an ecologically innovative, healthy and sustainable way. The mission of the group is to: reduce personal and community ecological footprints; raise awareness of ecological and social sustainability issues within the college and the broader community; serve as a resource for innovative, sustainable design solutions; and inspire future design leaders to address ecological issues through their work. Innovative Engineers strives to extend the reach of renewable energy to the developing world by providing communities with the technology and know-how necessary to create and maintain a sustainable energy infrastructure using locally available materials. They are currently working on several wind turbine projects, a solar tracker, an electric car, and a hydro project. Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) is a grassroots, student-directed, non-partisan organization that empowers and trains students, and engages the community to take collective action statewide. Their Sustainability Task Force in the Twin Cities is making changes on and off campus, teaming up with other student groups to make buildings across campus more energy efficient. MPIRG organizes Campus Wars, a competition between campus dorms to reduce energy consumption. The task force is also working on Moving Forward Minnesota to increase the availability of mass transit and bike lanes for commuters. Finally, the students are working with the city of Minneapolis to create a business recycling program.