University at Buffalo
EN-3: Student Life

There are several groups that focus on sustainability issues. The UB Environmental Network is a student run, student led network of individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education. UB Environmental Network defines the environment to include the physical, economic, political, and cultural conditions in which we live. By challenging the power structures which threaten these environmental conditions, UBEN works to create positive social change on campus, community, and on a global level. http://www.sa.buffalo.edu/councils/academic#anch42 The Student Association's Environmental Affairs Department is the undergraduate student voice on environmental issues. The department works closely with university administration on all environmental issues that impact the lives of students. As a link between students and the administration, SA Environmental Affairs also educates students on topics related to sustainability within the university setting. Fossil Free UB established a core team of students that are committed to being leaders for divestment campaign at UB. They are developing a consistent movement amongst the student body, staff, professors, with the divestment campaign and demonstrating that it is supported. They have worked closely with the Professional and Faculty Staff Senates, and have gotten both bodies to adopt a resolution on divestment. https://www.facebook.com/fossilfreeub/ SA Environmental Affairs strives to make the Student Association’s operations more sustainable. Guided by the UB Climate Action Plan, which aims to make all of UB climate neutral by 2030. Environmental Affairs is responsible for implementing this plan within the Student Association and they work every day to make this goal a reality. As a facet of this plan, they have written a Climate Action Report and a Climate Action Plan, which calculates SA's greenhouse gas footprint and works to eliminate it by 2020. http://www.sa.buffalo.edu/student-affairs Engineers for a Sustainable World: ESW partners with developing communities to develop appropriate solutions that improve their quality of life and that of future generations. http://www.sa.buffalo.edu/councils/engineering#anch41 https://www.facebook.com/groups/esw.ub/ Alpha Kappa Chi is a co-educational professional fraternity whose mission is to promote the self-confidence, professionalism, and brotherhood of member individuals in preparation for, and commitment to environmental careers. https://www.facebook.com/AlphaKappaChi/ UB Sustainability also has a change program for students (Education and Leadership Fellows in Sustainability or ELFS). Education and Leadership Fellows (ELFS) in Sustainability are a group of premier campus student leaders who are committed to educating and engaging their peers, working to cultivate a culture of sustainability at UB, and having a positive impact in our region and beyond. In doing so they will prepare themselves and their colleagues to become the next generation of globally-minded, sustainability literate leaders. http://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/keyinitiatives/leadership-fellows.html

UB Campus Garden: Their mission is to connect students, faculty and the community through experiential learning and practice. The garden is a model of sustainability and by being accessible and highly visible; it contributes to the advancement of the University at Buffalo and Campus Dining & Shops’ sustainability efforts. Internships are offered through UB Sustainability over the summer to coordinate volunteer hours.

UBReUSE is a student-run campus waste diversion program supported by UB Sustainability and Campus Living. The program captures goods during move-out that are useful but no longer wanted or needed by their owner. UBReUSE's goal is to connect these materials with new owners and reduce the amount of materials going to landfill. UB's Engineers for a Sustainable World operate a solar smoothie cart which is operated during events to raise money and awareness about sustainability on campus and in the community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/esw.ub/

The Sustainability Film Series provides students and the greater campus community with an informal, relaxed setting to explore issues related living a sustainable life, consumption of natural resources, social impacts and environmental justice issues. Each semester members of UB's students groups and staff members collaborate to select films with a focus on sustainability. Films are screened for free and followed by a group discussion led by that month's film sponsor.

UB Sustainability coordinates an annual SustainABILITY Art Show that features student sustainability artwork. Work is on display in the CFA Project Space every April with an opening reception. Artists may submit ideas or finished pieces which are broadly related to issues of sustainability, energy, waste and the environment. Artists are encouraged to submit multiple ideas or works.

UB Outdoor Pursuits provides students, staff, faculty, alumni and the community at large, opportunities to share in the experience of all aspects of outdoor adventure. Courses are offered in backpacking, cross country skiing, and outdoor safety, an annual trip to Alaska is very popular, and rentals of gear and equipment are available--all of which implement the Leave No Trace principles UB also has a student run outdoor club, UB Outdoor Adventure Club (UB OAC) that is very active and offers several experiences each week. https://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~harris48/oac/about.html

Life & Learning Workshops is UB's central resource for workshops that support student success in the classroom and beyond. UB Student Affairs, in partnership with Student Advising Services, the College of Arts & Sciences, International Student & Scholar Services, and others offer workshops relating to life skills including those which have sustainability ties to leadership, community service, diversity and social change, as well as enjoying and appreciating the outdoors.

UB Sustainability employees, undergraduate and graduate students assist our professional staff in program development and implementation. Working as a student coordinator in the UB Sustainability office provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, communications skills, along with experience developing and coordinating programs, events and activities. Not only do our student coordinators add much needed capacity to our initiative and programs but, by being integral members of the team, they are expected to perform at high levels and as a result gain experience that often helps them secure employment in their field when they graduate.

Last year, two social innovation/sustainability competitions were held for students to pitch their ideas on making the world more sustainable. The World's Challenge Challenge brought students together from diverse academic backgrounds to share their ideas on furthering one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The Transforming our Tomorrow competition asked students to present their ideas that would revolutionize our current energy system. http://www.buffalo.edu/sustainability/keyinitiatives/localizing-buffalo-s-renewable-energy-future/student-engagement/CleanEnergySymposium/CleanEnergySymposium2018.html