University of Louisville
ER-T2-1: Student Group

UofL has several student groups focused on various aspects of sustainability. 1. Group Recycling and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) was first recognized as a registered student organization (RSO) in February of 2009. GRASS has the goal of bringing issues of sustainability to public awareness and of enlarging the environmental movement by working with other groups. The members of GRASS participate in many events throughout the year that bring awareness to the community. Past activities included "dumpster dives," an environmental film series, and several volunteer opportunities throughout the community to provide students with both hands-on experience and a forum for discussion regarding sustainability. GRASS has a representative on UofL's Sustainability Council. More info: http://www.facebook.com/groups/25273129997/?bookmark_t=group 2. The Housing Green Committee engages residential students at UofL in a variety of sustainability initiatives and awareness-raising campaigns, from Recyclemania to a model green dorm room to end-of-semester Swap Shops for keeping unwanted items out of the landfill. More info: http://www.facebook.com/GreenUofL 3. UofL students formed a team which has been accepted to compete in the 2013 Solar Decathlon, a national competition to design a fully solar-powered modular home. More info: http://conncenter.org/energy-education/solar-decathlon/ 4. In the fall of 2010, UofL launched a student-chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council with a focus on expanding their LEED design and green building knowledge. More info: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Student-LEED-Group-University-of-Louisville/104199722986682 5. In the spring of 2010, a group of students interested in gardening and local food systems formed around the creation of the campus Garden Commons project at the Cultural Center and the group gained status as a Registered Student Organization in summer 2010. More info: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113263822035351 6. UofL's Brandeis School of Law hosts an Environmental Law & Land Use Society student group to further an understanding and appreciation of legal concepts relevant to environment and land use. More info: http://www.law.louisville.edu/students/ellus 7. The RE3 Club (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Club) is a student run organization based in The Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research at UofL. The club is dedicated to educating persons in renewable energy related concepts, challenges, and innovations. The club accomplishes this through a combination of an engaging lecture series and hands-on energy workshops. These workshops focus specifically on incorporating renewable energy concepts and devices into everyday life. Workshops include: -Designing, building, and implementing solar ovens -Fabricating dye-sensitized solar cells -Recycling broken silicon solar cells into new solar panels -Designing solar-powered RC vehicles (both land and air)

• In Spring 2012, GRASS organized a UofL contingent to participate in the annual "I Love Mountains Day" rally against Mountaintop Removal at the state capital, along with environmental documentary screenings and speakers, and participation in the Climate Change Teach-In (Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.390688094298042&type=1). • UofL's Garden Commons group hosted a Spring 2012 Organic Gardening Workshop Series: Seed Starting (Febr. 8), Container Gardening (Feb. 29), Herbology (March 21), Spring Planting (April 4), and a Slow Food Harvest Party (May 2). Details: http://louisville.edu/uofltoday/campus-news/dates-set-for-garden-commons-workshops • In Spring 2012, the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Club hosted a guest presentation by the Louisville Biodiesel Cooperative, and built and installed solar panels to power a greenhouse ventilation system at UofL’s Garden Commons. Details: http://louisville.edu/uofltoday/campus-news/green-scene-students-make-it-happen-with-low-cost-solar. • A group of graduate students organized TEDxUofL: A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 9am-5pm. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share ideas worth spreading. UofL’s first TEDx conference addressed the “3Es for the Future: Education, Entrepreneurship & Environment," highlighting the skills needed in a global economy (Education), the habitat of tomorrow (Environment), and the enterprising spirit to make it all happen (Entrepreneurship). Hundreds of participants joined the live and video-streamed discussion with leading thinkers, researchers, practitioners and entrepreneurs. Details: www.tedxuofl.com. Archived videos: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC34CC5CB4B6A6712&feature=playlist-comment