James Madison University
EN-3: Student Life

Examples of organizations are below. Additional JMU student organizations categorized as "environmental" can be found at https://beinvolved.jmu.edu/organizations?categories=2734. Net Impact "JMU Net Impact Undergrad aims to educate, equip and inspire our members to use the power of business to create a more environmentally and socially beneficial world." Environmental Management Club "Purpose: to give members unique opportunities to learn about the world we live in and ways to make a positive impact upon it." Campus Kitchen "Campus Kitchen is an organization which aims to give food waste a new life by distributing unused food from dining halls and from around the community to local community organizations in need." Geography Club "Geography Club is a student organization at James Madison University full of geography enthusiasts passionate about global and local communities who work to introduce and promote the knowledge of geographical issues. Members are united by the beliefs that we have the ability to alter the relationship between human societies and the environment in a positive way. Membership is not restricted to Geographic Science students." Information quoted from the "Be Involved" website.

The JMU farm, located in Port Republic, consists of 12 hectares of second growth forest, 300 meters of frontage on the North River (just upstream of the formation of the Shenandoah River), and an historic brick house. This facility is intended to: -provide an ideal space in which to disseminate environmental information to school students and community groups, -support on-going JMU student projects involving air quality, surface and ground water quality, and alternative energy systems, and -provide an inviting off-campus venue for workshops, meetings and symposia. Multiple students complete projects involving the farm annually. Virginia Sea Grant is a multi-university network (of which JMU is a member) working to advance the resilience and sustainability of Virginia's coastal and marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Virginia Sea Grant offers fellowships and research support. At the time of submission, they were accepting applications for graduate research and post-graduate fellowships, and faculty-student team projects. Virginia Sea Grant aims to maintain sustainable and thriving commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture production in Virginia through cutting edge research and "feet on the boat" extension work. The Marine Advisory Program Seafood Education Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), in partnership with Virginia Sea Grant, helps meet this need by communicating current research information on seafood in an interesting, useful, and timely manner through workshops and seminars, cooking demonstrations, professional development programs for chefs, and a website.

A "Fueled" food truck was initiated by students but is operated by JMU Dining Services. See AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory.

Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility at JMU, and units across the campus organize many events annually as part of their series and similar events. Examples are below. 1. "Common Ground - Soil Biodiversity and Sustainability," Dr. Diana H. Wall, University Distinguished Professor and Director, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University. February 26, 2016. Organized by JMU's Cohen Center for the Humanities as part of their speaker series. 2. "The End of Night? The Challenge of Light Pollution," Dr. Paul Bogart, Associate Professor, Department of English, James Madison University. November 9, 2016. Organized by JMU's Cohen Center for the Humanities as part of their speaker series. 3. East Campus Hillside Fifth Anniversary Celebration. April 19, 2017. Organized by the JMU's Department of Integrated Science and Engineering, Dr. Thomas Benzing, Professor. 4. The Center for Global Engagement hosts an annual International Week. The 2018 theme was “Our Changing Climates: Everybody’s Business." Proposals from across campus were submitted for events. Over 12 events were held.

Examples of cultural activities include: "Source and Confluence: Exploring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed" was on exhibit in the New Image Gallery. Photographer Scott Jost was creating a portrait of this vast historical and ecological treasure by focusing on its river and stream origins and confluences. Chesapeake Bay is the third largest estuary in the world, and its watershed is home to approximately 17 million people. September and October 2016. "Identity, Ethics and Volunteerism with Endangered Species," Dr. Jennifer Byrne, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, James Madison University. Organized by the Institute for Visual Studies as part of their colloquium. October 17, 2018.

(1) University Recreation's (UREC's) Adventure Program plans an assortment of trips that teach and follow "Leave No Trace" principles, including hiking, kayaking, skiing, canoeing, and other outings. (2) The Wilderness Therapy Programs are a collaborative effort between the Counseling Center and UREC. The general program is a five day, four night therapeutic adventure program in the George Washington National Forest during the week of spring break. Participants will include two to three counseling center clinicians, one to two certified guide(s) from UREC, and six to ten students. Over the course of this trip, students will backpack through the wilderness and experience outdoor education sessions and therapy process groups. Activities include but are not limited to learning proper shelter and camp building techniques, Leave No Trace Education, proper water filtration techniques as well as process groups, intra- and inter-personal skill building, natural interventions, and self-reflection. The purpose of this program is to use adventure as a platform to improve relational skills, build self-confidence and self-efficacy, and increase healthy coping skills.

The University Recreation Center (UREC) offers one hour, no cost programs. (1) Examples of Nutrition and Wellness sustainability-related programs offered in Fall 2018 include: Cooking with Seasonal Produce: In this class participants will learn about a seasonal produce item specific to that month and cook a recipe using this item. Cosmos Catastrophe: Are you frustrated with the way we are treating the earth? Do you want to make a difference in the environment? Do you care about having a healthy earth for your grandchildren in 50 years? Want to know how you personally are impacting the earth with your ecological footprint? Join us in learning about plastic, pollution, the food industry, energy sources, and water waste and discover easy ways to make an environmental impact. Mother Nature's Beef with Meat: Have you ever thought about what that cheeseburger went through before it ended up on your plate? Do you ever wonder about the impact your daily choices are making on our planet? Believe it or not, meat consumption is a major mover in environmental degradation. Join us to learn how to use your diet choices to be more environmentally friendly. The programs are designed and facilitated by UREC student staff members. The goal is to have these students apply what they have learned in the classroom to positively impact the health and well-being of the JMU community. Students determine all program names, descriptions, learning outcomes, general outlines, and final presentations with the assistance of the Assistant Director for Fitness & Wellness, University Recreation and Wellness Student Managers. (2) UREC also offers bicycling programs including: -Bicycling 101 - Learn the basics of bicycle care. -Two Wheels, Two Scoops - Bicycle around town and stop for ice cream.

The Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability annually employs undergraduate and/or graduate students. Facilities Management's sustainability team also offers employment to students. Some examples of projects to which student employees contributed include waste bins and recycling station message updates, graphic and web design, and a campus sustainability map and tour development.

Each year James Madison University offers student-led and developed service breaks to locations in the United States and abroad. Some service breaks are sustainability focused. Each service team typically consists of 12 student participants, two student co-leaders and a faculty or staff learning partner. Most breaks take place during the spring break period, but breaks are offered at all of the JMU academic breaks. While working with national and international communities, the James Madison University Alternative Break Program trains and immerses students in a purposeful service experience designed to connect students and community members while enhancing personal growth, mutual awareness and life-long learning.

Responsible party for student organization information: Ms. Katie Lese, Coordinator, Organization Development Responsible party for Alternative Break information: Community Service Learning at http://www.jmu.edu/abp/ Responsible party for student employment opportunities: Dr. Christie-Joy Hartman, Executive Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Responsible party for "Leave No Trace": UREC at http://www.jmu.edu/recreation/adventure/index.shtml Some information entered by Ms. Melissa Altman.