Students are vital contributors to the University's sustainability efforts through both independent involvement and curricular projects and research.
Co-Curricular Involvement
Outside the classroom, there are myriad opportunities for studentsÌýto actively participate and take leadership rolesÌýin sustainability programming.
The Office of Sustainability employs around 13 (go 'gate!) student interns to promote behavior change, coordinate events, and support the ongoing sustainability initiatives that are improving Colgate's campus.Ìý
These interns lead critical campus sustainability endeavors by:
- Overseeing The Green Bikes program
- Mentoring the Sustainability Representatives (see below)
- Hosting 13 Days of Green (see below)
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- Supporting the employee Sustainability Passport Program
- Leading the Climate Conversations P.E. course
- Conducting the annual greenhouse gas inventory
- Gathering data for the AASHE STARS Report
- Galvanizing sustainable behavior changeÌýamong the student body
Applications
Applications open in the spring semester for the summer and academic year and can be accessed on the .
Often referred to as the "S-Rep" program, it is anÌýintroduction forÌýfirst-year students to the Colgate's sustainability culture. The program equips these new students with the necessary skills and information to improve sustainable practices in their Residential Commons community.
S-Reps work within their CommonsÌýto develop and lead engaging educational programs to raise awareness ofÌýsustainability-related issues on and off campus.
Applications
Interested first-year students can learn more and apply at theÌýactivities fair at the beginning of the academic year.
This isÌýa campus-wide series of events that take place through theÌý13 days leading up to and including Earth Day in April.ÌýIts programming promotesÌýenvironmental awareness and personal sustainability practices onÌýcampus. The series, which is planned and coordinated by the sustainability interns,Ìýmay include:
- Guest speakers
- Clothing swaps
- Panel discussions
- Award ceremonies
- Tree plantings
Check the as Earth Day approaches to learn more.
The Green Summit
The summit is aÌýcentral feature of theÌý13 Days of Green. It is aÌýthink tank that brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members to brainstorm solutions to Colgate's sustainability challenges — and then carry them out! Each year, the summitÌýhighlights a specific topic and brings in a panel of Colgate community members and partners to facilitate a lively discussion among the participants.
The Colgate Community Garden offers many ways to get involved depending on your interests. Through the garden's open volunteer hours, you can help in the garden several times per week or just when you have availability.ÌýÌýCommunity Garden
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The Green Bikes Program is a semester-long bicycle rental program providing an affordable, healthy, and sustainable way to move around campus and the local community.ÌýGreen Bikes Program
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Academic Involvement
Many academic courses at Colgate provide students withÌýthe opportunity to think critically engageÌýissues in sustainability. Through class projects andÌýcollaborationsÌýwith faculty members on research, students contribute to significant advancements in sustainability on and off campus.
Colgate offers more than 100 sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses across 22 academic departments. These include:
- ÌýSustainability-focused: CoursesÌýthat focus primarily on the subject of sustainability
- Sustainability-related: Courses in which at least one module focuses on the subject of sustainability.
These classes engage all three pillars of sustainability:Ìýeconomic, social and environmental.
To find a sustainability course in the comingÌýsemester:
Colgate students combine their passions for sustainability with their academic interests to conduct research thatÌýadvancesÌýreal-world sustainability efforts. At Colgate, students haveÌýnumerous opportunities to conduct research, be it in the curriculum,ÌýinÌýcollaboration with a faculty member,Ìýas a project for local community partners, or as a credit-bearing independent study. Some of the insights and proposals that have emerged from students' academic research endeavors has lead to long-lasting, meaningful change in campus sustainability efforts.
Physical Education Course
Climate Conversations
A five-week class offered by the Office of Sustainability. In this interactive discussion course, participantsÌýexplore the principles and practice of sustainability at Colgate and beyond through assigned readings centered around a specific topic each week. This course counts for one of the PHED credits needed to graduate.