California State University, Chico
EN-3: Student Life

Their are a number of student groups on campus that work on sustainability-related or -focused issues: Alternative Transportation Group The mission of the ATG is to focus on education and outreach to the campus community about alternative forms of transportation. Alternative modes of transportation that are advocated include walking, biking, car-sharing, carpooling, public transit and others. To facilitate change in the realm of transportation, the ATG organizes campus outreach programs including tabling, materials distribution, marketing campaigns and events. https://www.csuchico.edu/sustainablefuture/alt_trans/index.shtml CLIC is a student-run, non-profit organization that has been providing legal information to students and community members for over 40 years. CLIC also provides paralegal internship opportunities, with students working directly under CLIC’s four supervising attorneys, in 11 different areas, including Environmental Advocacy. http://www.as.csuchico.edu/index.php/legal-assistance-clic/about-legal-assistance-clic/ Net Impact Net Impact consists of undergrad, graduate, and professional chapters across the globe, dedicated to creating a better and more sustainable world through business. They promote environmentally and socially conscious business operations and corporate responsibility. http://www.csuchico.edu/netimpug/ Sustainable Engineering and Environmental Health for Development (SEEHD) SEEHD partners with developing communities to improve quality of life through the implementation of sustainable and economical engineering projects. http://www.csuchico.edu/seehd/ California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC) Chapter The California Student Sustainability Coalition unites, connects, supports, and empowers students from across California to transform their educational institutions and communities into models of ecological, economic, and social sustainability. http://www.sustainabilitycoalition.org/ Sustainability Affairs Council (SAC) The Associated Students Sustainability Affairs Council consists of students, staff, faculty and community members who all work to increase the Associated Students (AS), university and community commitment to sustainability. The group aims to educate, empower and advocate on behalf of students about sustainability-related issues. http://www.aschico.com/gac/sustainabilityaffairscouncil/

After several years of planning and collaboration, CSU, Chico’s organic vegetable project completed its first year of harvest in 2008. The project started out small with just one acre of the available 10-acre certified organic plot in production currently. The collaboration brings together students, faculty, local farmers, and other community members who intend to promote the wise use of resources and preservation of local food production. Its goals are to support local farmers with information, the community with educational workshops, students with valuable management and research skills, and the university campus with fresh produce. One objective of the project is to grow, evaluate, and identify the most promising new vegetable varieties in an effort to provide local organic growers with information to help them become more competitive. Community outreach is another goal of the project. The project was initiated through funding from the Earl Foor Foundation, the CSU, Chico Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), the AS Sustainability Fund, and the CSU Agricultural Research Initiative (ARI).

The Associated Students Bike Cart is well known for providing students affordable, reliable and friendly service by students for students and was recently recognized as “the best place to get your bike fixed” by a local newspaper. The AS Bike Cart is a non-profit operation run by student managers who focus on repairing bikes for students. They offer used bikes for sale to the community and promote alternative transportation.

In 2006, students voted to increase their fees by $5/semester to support the creation of the AS Sustainability Program and Fund. About half of this money goes into the AS Sustainability Fund which makes available approximately $95,000 annually for student-driven projects. Funds are awarded once each semester by the Sustainability Fund Allocation Committee (SFAC) - of which a majority of the voting members are students.

The campus participates each fall in AASHE's annual Campus Sustainability Day, and has for a number of years. Campus Sustainability Day is devoted to the achievements of - and challenges for - the students, faculty, and staff who are integrating sustainability principles and practices into their institutions and surrounding communities. Campus Sustainability Day at Chico State is a time to reflect - on campus sustainability programs and initiatives you knew about and many you didn’t, and a time to connect - to like-minded people and all kinds of great opportunities for involvement on campus. A campus sustainability open house includes displays highlighting sustainability programs and practices from across the campus. The campus also hosts an annual Earth Day Fair and Arbor Day Tree Planting. The Earth Day Fair is held outside (weather permitting) and features interactive booths encouraging attendees to get their hands dirty and have fun in the name of the environment. The Arbor Day Tree Planting has been coordinated with the City of Chico for a number of years and involves a group of students digging holes for and planting street trees in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding campus. The event helps the City of Chico maintain its Tree City USA status and is a great way for students to participate in small but important acts of environmentally-themed community-service.

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CSU, Chico's outdoor adventure program, Adventure Outings, provides trips throughout northern California. All trips are lead by student trip leaders. We offer 60 - 70 trips a year. Trips offered include, backpacking, rafting, rock climbing, caving and day hiking. All trips emphasize minimum impact outdoor ethics. Leave No Trace principles are taught and followed on every trip. We are encouraging participants to package their organic waste on trips.

The founders of Sense of Place wanted a public sphere event that would have students from different courses and different class standings come together with faculty, staff, and community members to share projects and ideas around making our college and community more sustainable. Today, SOP continues its mission towards a more sustainable Chico. As the event grows, so does its purpose. Students not only present on sustainable actions, they also share narratives of their identities rooted in place. Sustainability is our ability to preserve our identities by sharing solutions and taking actions that are Environmentally Sound, Socially Equitable, and Economically Feasible.

Konkow Honors House 2 was transformed at Chico State into the Sustainability House, the most energy-efficient, sustainable dorm unit on campus. This sustainable living project is intended to inform students about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Living in the Sustainability House creates awareness about sustainability amongst freshmen and teaches them how to live a more environment-friendly lifestyle. The Sustainability House is a housing option for incoming freshmen interested in environmental issues and this year is home to 14 freshmen. Students living in the Sustainability House are exposed and educated on today's pressing sustainability issues. Students living in the Sustainability House are not only living with the most energy-efficient appliances and sustainable housing adjustments, but Green Campus also provides students with sustainable living products such as eco-friendly soap and cleaning supplies, as well as reusable thermoses and Chico Bags, a compact, reusable shopping bag. The House also serves as a model for sustainable living principles for other campus residents.

The Associated Students' Sustainability Program offers a number of paid student positions each semester that are focused on a range of strategies for advancing sustainability within the AS and across campus. These include positions focused on Real Food and Dining Services, managing the Compost Display Area, working on the Green Events Consulting Team, working for the Recycling Program and working on general outreach and education related to sustainability.

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