University of Saskatchewan
EN-3: Student Life

Environmental Studies Student Association (ESSA): The Environmental Studies Students' Association (ESSA) is one of the largest multi-disciplinary undergraduate student associations at the University of Saskatchewan... ESSA's goal is to promote concern for the environment, through various academic and recreational activities. ESSA: http://www.arts.usask.ca/essa/, https://www.facebook.com/ESSA.UofS School of Environment and Sustainability Students’ Association (SENSSA): Students' Association (SENSSA) is made up of students from the University of Saskatchewan's School of Environment and Sustainability. Some of SENSSA's objectives include: promoting unity and welfare of SENSAA students and sustainability in all of its endeavours. SENSSA: http://www.usask.ca/sens/current-students/senssa.php Green Legal: Green Legal is a student club that aims to increase environmental awareness and involvement within the College of Law, build environmental law and policy analysis skills among members, and support community-based non-governmental organizations through law and policy research. http://www.usask.ca/groups/lsa/student-groups/green-legal-.php Other Groups with Sustainability Components Engineers Without Borders (EWB): The University of Saskatchewan is home to one of the 36 Engineers Without Borders chapters across Canada. The group focuses on development issues across the globe and work to make a difference both overseas and here in Canada. EWB: http://usask.ewb.ca/, https://www.facebook.com/EWBUSask ENACTUS: Enactus University of Saskatchewan is a student-run, nonprofit organization based in the Edwards School of Business that creates positive impact in the community, while developing our member's skills through real-world experiences. ENACTUS: http://www.enactussask.com/, https://www.facebook.com/ENACTUSSASK/timeline Western Canadian Veterinary Students' Association (WCVSA): The Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s student body is organized through the Western Canadian Veterinary Students’ Association (WCVSA). Some objectives include promoting the interests/welfare of veterinary students with regard to educational, social and athletic life. WCVSA: http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/undergrad_students/student_organizations.php Just Youth (St. Thomas More College): Development and Peace Just Group on campus. Just Youth: http://stmcollege.ca/campus-ministry/community.php Campus Cycling Club: The CCC exists to build a sense of community among cyclists at the U of S through cycling activities, events, support, education, and facilities. Campus Cycling Club: https://www.facebook.com/campuscyclingclub One Health Club: Health Sciences students interested in collaborating for the health of our people, animals and environment. Activities and projects bring together students from different colleges in order to have inclusive collaboration. https://uofsonehealthclub.wordpress.com/about/ Horticulture Club: The Club is open to all students on campus who want to learn more about the field of horticulture. Projects include: wine and cider making using campus-grown produce, vegetable & fruit gardening, fruit and vegetable preserving, greenhouse vegetable & ornamentals production, and plant propagation. Students may be involved in club sales, volunteering at hort trade shows, and potluck suppers made from local produce. All groups are student governed.

The University of Saskatchewan has two student gardens: the Seager Wheeler Residence community garden project, and the U of S Horticulture Club garden. SEAGER WHEELER PROJECT: In 2006, the U of S initiated a community garden project at the Seager Wheeler Residence complex. This residence houses year-round students and their families and is a very international complex. In 2008 the community garden area was doubled to include 40 individual plots each measuring 4 X 49 feet. Plots are assigned through a lottery process only when a plot becomes available. There is a one-time $10.00 non-refundable fee that is applied towards the purchase of tools and hoses. CHEP (Child Health Education Program) provide seeds and gardening advice and instruction to students. The University Residence department provides all of the gardening tools gratis. The University provides the water gratis. There is a $20 annual fee which is a refundable deposit - refundable as long as the participating students attend the few community meetings called during the summer and that they clean their plot at the end of the season. Being that a large variety of crops are grown, it is not feasible to apply a general fertilizer regime to the entire garden, so individual plot owners are responsible for their own soil fertility. Much of the fertility comes from the community compost pile. Pest control is also up to the individual gardeners and because of close proximity to other plots, this is usually very organic in nature. HORTICULTURE CLUB PROJECT: The U of S Horticulture Club is open to all students on campus who want to learn more about the field of horticulture. One major project for the Horticulture Club is the vegetable garden project which involves approximately 25 students who are responsible for starting transplants in the greenhouse, field seeding, transplanting, maintaining (weeding), harvesting and storing of produce. Some produce is designated for sale to cover the cost of inputs, however the students consume the majority of produce. A faculty adviser plus student coordinators assist the students in learning more about vegetable production. Decisions regarding choice of crops to be grown, pest management methods, plus sale of produce are by group consensus. A variety of pest control options are utilized, with an emphasis on organic, sustainable practices. The use of pesticides only occur if pests in the student gardens jeopardize nearby research projects. The students are aware of this and have done an excellent job of controlling pests without having to resort to the use of pesticides. The students are able to observe the use of trickle irrigation and overhead irrigation. To further enhance the growing conditions, plastic mulches are used and students learn the science behind this technology. Students also learn the science of using floating row covers for the control of specific insect pests. A pre-emergent synthetic fertilizer is applied to the entire garden, with some areas receiving more fertility than others based on the cropping plan. Organic materials from the garden are incorporated back into the soil to help increase both organic matter and soil fertility. The use of organic materials to control weeds also contributes to the soil fertility. The garden, located on the Department of Plant Sciences research plots is roughly 5,000 square meters. A garden this size allows the students to produce a large volume of food. In years when growing conditions allow for very high yields, excess produce is donated to local charities. Both projects are student-governed, with assistance from faculty and staff.

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union strives to be a leader in enhancing the student experience while keeping in line with the values of environmental responsibility. One of a number of ways the USSU ensures it stays accountable to the environmental commitment is through a Sustainability Committee (link found below). USSU-run businesses, including a bar, coffee shop and print shop, all integrate sustainability. Vision The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union strives to be the recognized leader in enhancing the student experience. Mission The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union exists to represent, serve and support the academic and non-academic needs of undergraduate students of the University of Saskatchewan through accountable, dynamic and unified leadership. It also serves to protect and maintain the integrity of quality, accessible public education. Values The following principles shall guide the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union in all of its endeavours: innovation, integrity, mutual respect, professionalism, service, social, economic and environmental responsibility, teamwork, and trust.

The Office of Sustainability hosts a "green space" during Welcome Week every year to introduce students to sustainability initiatives. This year the Office of Sustainability partnered with a community organization and the campus cycling group to hold a used bike sale. Each year, the Students' Union hosts a Green Yourself Week during the week of Campus Sustainability Day. Specific events vary from year to year, but have included information fairs, displays, movies, speakers and workshops. A variety of student group work in partnership with the Office of Sustainability to hold events throughout the year. One particularly successful annual event is a Carbonless Community Concert for Earth Hour, which will again be held this year. Other events hosted by student groups and supported by the Office of Sustainability include movie screenings, workshops, and lectures.

In 2014 a University of Saskatchewan travelling theater production took audience members (including students) through an exercise in decision making related to flooding and drought events. The play, Downstream, used forum theater style to invite audience members to make decisions as the story progressed. The cast were students form the Department of Drama. Following the performance, audience members were invited to give feedback about research results and also the drama production as a communications format."

"The Office of Sustainability believes that students play a critical part in sustainability. As such, they offer a number of student intern positions every year. Student positions range from assisting with operations projects to conserve energy and water to engagement activities such as planning sustainability-related events and campaigns on campus."