Carnegie Mellon University
ER-T2-1: Student Group

There are several student groups focused on sustainability at Carnegie Mellon University. They include Sustainable Earth, Eco-Reps, Net Impact, Engineers Without Borders, Heinz College Smart Growth Club, Solar Splash and Pugwash. Detailed descriptions of each of these groups and links to their individual websites and contact information for their student leaders can be found at the Environment at CMU website "Get Involved" section: http://www.cmu.edu/environment/get-involved/student-initiatives.html

August 22-26, 2011- During the Fall 2011 first year orientation programming included a zero waste dinner for all incoming freshman and the annual Eco-Fabulous Cook Out held at the Solar Decathlon House featuring a “zero waste” style spread for students, faculty and staff. These events are co-sponsored planned and promoted by student groups, Eco-Reps and Sustainable Earth, along with support from Student Affairs, Steinbrenner Institute and Green Practices. March 30-April1, 2012- The “Environment Today” is an annual mini-course that brings students together over a weekend to dis¬cuss environmental issues affecting our planet now and for generations to come. The 2012 course was held from March 30th to April 1st. The theme for Spring 2012 was “Green Design and Garbage (Waste)”. The Environment Today courses were started in 2009, as an initiative of the student group Sustainable Earth. Students from Sustainable Earth continue to be actively involved in choosing the topic for the courses, suggesting speakers and participating in all aspects of coordinating the activities and promotion of the course. April 21, 2012- During the 2012 Carnegie Mellon Spring Carnival, student group Sustainable Earth, along with The Steinbrenner Institute hosted local sustainability groups Zero Fossil and Bike Pittsburgh to promoted the 2012 Bike to Work Day. Volunteers passed out the updated Pitts¬burgh bike maps to encourage alternative transportation options and worked with Zero Fossil to provide demonstrations of alter¬native energy with the “Bikerator”. Visitors to the demo were encouraged to harness their energy to light an incandescent light bulb, a compact fluorescent and a LED bulb to feel the different amount of energy used to power each one.