Temple University
EN-3: Student Life

a. Students for Environmental Action: SEA works to spread awareness about environmental issues while making positive environmental changes on Temple`s campus and in the community. Notable accomplishments include: installing composting in the retail food court of the Student Center (2014/2015), hosting a community organizing training (fall 2015), and hosting numerous speakers/workshops (2013-2017). They are self governed, and held elections in spring 2017. b. Temple Community Gardens: Temple Community Garden is a welcoming and tight-knit group of Temple students who share a passion for gardening. Members attend weekly meetings, participate in community programs and cultivate two gardens ( Main Garden: Broad & Norris; Sonia Sanchez Garden: Diamond & Carlisle). In spring 2016, they helped design and install the university's first edible landscaping pilot project. They are self governed and held elections at the end of fall 2017. c. Net Impact (MBA Chapter): A graduate student organization in the Fox School of Business with the mission of improving the world by growing and strengthening a network of leaders who use the power of business to make a positive net social, environmental, and economic impact. The organization hosts speakers and events throughout the year. They are self governed, and hold elections each year. d. Net Impact (Undergraduate Chapter): An undergraduate student organization in the Fox School of Business with the mission of improving the world by growing and strengthening a network of leaders who use the power of business to make a positive net social, environmental, and economic impact.Net Impact hosts speakers and symposiums on the triple bottom line. A staple event is their Fair Foods Fair, held each spring. In fall 2015, they launched the university's first attempt at a "Trash to Treasure" move out model. They are self governed, and hold elections each year. e. Green Council: The Green Council is a coalition of sustainability oriented student organizations that work together to raise awareness of sustainability issues on campus. The green council hosted the potluck with a purpose series (2012-2015). The Green Council is comprised of students representatives from each organization. The council is self governed, but received student administrative support from an Office of Sustainability intern. f. American Institute of Architecture Student Chapter: The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization dedicated to providing unmatched programs, information, and resources on issues critical to architectural education. The AIAS invited the Campus Consciousness Tour to campus and hosted it at the School of Architecture in spring 2016. The organization is student governed and they hold elections. h. Engineers without Borders: EWB-USA supports community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders. EWB has had a successful relationship with the Uber Street Farm, developing the urban farm's infrastructure during the period of (2014-2016). The group is student governed and they hold elections each year.

Temple Community Garden is a welcoming and tight-knit group of Temple students who share a passion for gardening. Members attend weekly meetings, participate in community programs and cultivate two gardens ( Main Garden: Diamond & Carlisle Streets and Edible landscaping garden outside of Ritter Annex). In addition to TCG, the Sustainability LLC developed a community garden in the residence hall's courtyard.

The Rad Dish Co-Op Cafe is the first and only student-run cooperative in Pennsylvania. They aim to provide an option for conscious, sustainable consumption and educational opportunities about issues of sustainability, food justice, and the importance of cooperatives. The Rad Dish Co-Op Cafe opened on February 5, 2015 at Temple University, and has been serving up sustainability ever since. The co-op includes students from across the university, including art, accounting, film, community development, risk management, social work, environmental studies, entrepreneurship, and journalism.

Temple University's Student Green Grant builds upon our institutional commitment to sustainability by funding student-led projects seeking to positively impact our local environment and community. The proposed project must address at least one component of sustainability (environmental, economic, social) as outlined in Temple University’s definition of sustainability. Priority will be given to projects that address all three aspects of sustainability. Projects must also include an educational, community engagement, and/or outreach component.

The university hosts a variety of sustainability events aimed at students, many of which are student organized or led. Below provides just a few examples of programming offered. The Office of Sustainability hosts "Campus Sustainability Week" in the fall and spring semester. Campus Sustainability Week features panel discussions, lectures, demonstrations, community service projects and interactive displays throughout the entire week. Many of the events are coordinated by student interns in the Sustainability Office. Each year, the university participates in RecycleMania. To celebrate the 10 week period, the Office of Sustainability holds weekly events that highlight waste minimization and recycling practices. Sample events include Basketball Game green team kickoff, Trashion Show, Cardboard Castle Construction Contest, documentary screenings, clothing swaps, and tours of the recycling facilities. In FY19/FY20, the university hosted a year-long collaboration with The Center for the Humanities (CHAT) on the theme "Climate". CHAT encourages cross-displiary collaboration, builds and intellectual community, re-energizes teaching and strengthens the profile of the humanists within and beyond the university.

Temple harnesses the arts to raise awareness and engage students in climate action. A few notable examples include the following exhibitions/events. Every year, the Office of Sustainability supports the Temple University "Water Week", a week dedicated to the importance of water to the environment and society. One of the main events of the programing is a "water dance" performance from the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University.

The purpose of the Temple Outdoors Club group is to create a network of people at Temple University who like the outdoors and to provide opportunities for students to go outside of Philadelphia to do activities such as hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, paddling, skiing, rock climbing, and more. This group also works to promote leave-no-trace and responsible outdoor recreational practices to help preserve the environment where such activities occur. Weekly on-campus meetings are held for members to socialize and plan upcoming trips and events. https://sustainability.temple.edu/get-involved/events

In FY19, The Center for the Humanities (CHAT) kicked off a series focused on Climate. The purpose of the series was not to debate the science of climate change or present new data about the dangers that lie ahead. Rather, we will demonstrate the value of humanistic inquiries into past and current understandings of climate.; explore literature that warned of ecological crises decades before "climate change" became a well-worn phrase, and explore the ethical, moral, and social responsibilities to protect our environment now and for the future.

Temple's Tiny house is open to the public during Temple Community Garden Hours and by request. The Tiny House is Pedal Certified and is 100% off grid. More information about the project can be fournd here: https://sustainability.temple.edu/temple-tiny-house

The Office of Sustainability, the Office of Facilities (Energy Office), Rad Dish Co-op, Surplus program, Computer Recycling Center and the Grounds Department all offer student employment opportunities that are sustainability-focused.

Temple offers a sustainability themed living learning community in the 1940 Residence Hall. Students select to live in the community if they are interested in sustainability. The programming on the floor is sustainability themed. They take a first year seminar course on sustainability. They also participate in an early welcome program that focuses on sustainability. A peer mentor is selected to help them transition to Temple and guide them in their quest to be involved in the sustainability movement on campus.