University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
EN-3: Student Life

UWSP has many student groups that revolve around sustainability, natural resources, the environment, and what we can do to protect the earth and its resources. The Student Government Association has a Environmental & Sustainability Committee chaired by an E&S Director. SGA maintains a Sustainability Reserve fund that can be used by any student organization or individual on campus for sustainability-related projects. *Environmental Council – mission is to create and develop ecological awareness and an environmental concern throughout campus and the surrounding community. *Environmental Education and Naturalists Association (EENA) – mission is to promote awareness and understanding of the natural world and its function, promote skills and professionalism in environmental education and interpretation, and promote environmental action. The Earth Week Committee's mission is to organize and implement activities, events and demonstrations (including Earth Week Eco-Fair) for the benefit of students, staff, faculty and the public with the hope of increasing awareness of sustainable ideas and practices. *Izaak Walton League – mission is to assist in preserving and improving our natural resources and promote student interest with practical experience in resource management techniques. *Society of Ecological Restoration (SER) – mission is to develop an ecological awareness and assist in the recovery and management of ecological integrity by learning the ecological processes of natural ecosystems through awareness, ecological presentations, and hands-on experiences. *Soil and Water Conservation Society of America – mission is to promote the development and advancement of the conservation of natural resources including soil, water, forestry and wildlife beneficial to mankind. *Students for Sustainable Communities (SSC) – mission is to promote education and understanding of planning and plan implementation with regard to land use, environmental, economic, social, political and legal criteria. SSC also provides leadership experience, practical exposure to planning professionals, and involvement within the university and local community, as well as in the regional and national planning arena. *Sustainable Agriculture in Communities Society (SACS) – mission is to create a means for UWSP students to experience, explore, share, and learn about issues relating to sustainable agriculture and community development. *Waste Management Society – mission is to provide additional activities in the field of waste management in order to facilitate unity and exchange of experiences and information. *Wildlife Society – mission is to provide opportunities for better liaison among members, chapters, sections, and the society, evaluate and respond to proposed/enacted societal actions that could affect wildlife/its habitats, encourage professionalism and high standards of scholarship, focus aims/objectives to professional wildlife needs, and encourage communication to improve understanding of resource management sciences. *E.A.R.T.H (Knutzen Hall’s Eco-group)- purpose of E.A.R.T.H is to promote and facilitate a variety of environmental programs, both active and passive; to raise awareness and involve the target audience on environmental issues and concerns by bringing them closer to nature; to enhance interaction and cooperation among hall residents; to provide an opportunity for the residents to grow in leadership abilities; to serve as an effective liaison between Knutzen residents, Knutzen Hall Government, the University, and the community.

The UWSP Campus Garden was created in the spring of 2006 by the Sustainable Agriculture in Communities Society (SACS) and is maintained by SACS members. SACS utilizes the garden to host workshops on various topics such as canning and composting. The garden is also used as an outdoor classroom to teach students about organic farming principles and alternative farming techniques, such as greenhouse season extension and vermicomposting. The garden’s produce is for sale and is also used for events such as the SACS harvest dinner. Vegetables grown include turnips, kale, swiss chard, onions, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes.

CPS Café is a unique food service business open to the public. Dietetic students operate the Café and experience all aspects of food service operation and management. CPS Café offers the best natural and organic foods. The menu focuses on healthy eating choices. The food is sourced from sustainable local farms and the café uses sustainable practices in the operation. The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) manages a sustainable garden; produce is used in their dining services operations. CWES also installed a chicken coop to house chickens for on-site egg production. http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/clue/Documents/Zoning/CWES%20newsletter%20FallWinter2011.pdf University Dining Services is a student managed dining program. UDS' guiding principles include: creating a collaborative work environment that educates and engages our student employees; integrates sustainability initiatives that support the environmental mission of the University; prepares enticing food and menus that feed our culinary senses; shares knowledge of food trends and nutrition; commits to excellence, integrity, quality and value; cultivates community and build lasting relationships. https://www.uwsp.edu/centers/dining/roundtable.asp

The Green Fund is a program that allows students to lead and take part in large-scale sustainability projects that affect the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. For a project to be considered, it must promote innovative new solutions that address campus sustainability concerns. Required fees for each student are $12 per academic year. The total amounts to $115,000 available for that year. Any remaining money will be carried over to the next school year and segregated fees are approved by a referendum given to the student body every five years. When a person submits a sustainable project idea to the Green Fund Steering Council all financial information must be given including total cost, ROI, and/or expected profit.

Annual National Campus Sustainability Day Info Fair Annual Focal Point sponsored by the WI Institute for Sustainable Technology. Sustainability in the Small City annual conference sponsored by the UWSP Center for the Small City and WIST. Annual Earth Week and Eco-Fair http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/earthweek/events.html College of Natural Resources annual colloquium series Solar Olympics is held at UWSP every third year. March 9, 2011 - Phi Kappa Phi Colloquium sponsored Paul Fowler, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST), who presented "Sustainability Solutions: Economic Opportunities, Environmental Gains". The presentation will highlight the potential of Wisconsin's abundant natural resources to create a thriving bio-based economy. Sept. 23, 2008 "UW-Stevens Point's Purple, Gold, and Green" highlights student impact on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's green leadership among the UW regional universities. The UWSP Task Force, Student Government Association, the Residence Hall Association, the Public Relations Society of America, WISPIRG, Environmental Educators and Naturalists Association, and the Students for Sustainable Communities will have exhibits. There will be hands-on demonstrations, displays and information.

Student organization 350.ORG brought the Beehive Collection to campus in 2014. The presentation/workshop was called “Rock Bottom in the age of resource extraction”, which was about fracking, tar sands, and sulfide mining, problems facing the Great Lakes region.

Outdoor EdVentures – Outdoor EdVentures and Rentals serves the UWSP campus and community by providing quality equipment and experiential programs that support education in the areas of outdoor awareness, environmental ethics, and wilderness travel. Trips and courses teach lifelong skills and offer an outlet for adventure, challenge, and personal development. The Wellness department offers courses in backpacking, wildernes orientation and leave-no-trace training.

The Pathways to Point Wilderness Orientation program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is a great opportunity for you to make a positive transition into college life. Through safe and fun outdoor challenges, you will make new friends, increase your confidence and self-esteem, gain social outdoor skills, and experience personal growth. The Pathways to Point program is based on the seven dimensions of wellness. The Wellness Model suggests that people are more than physical beings; they are "holistic" beings and the different dimensions of our lives must be challenged in order to achieve quality of life. Lead the Pack helps provide first-year UWSP students with a smooth transition into the college community. In a fun yet challenging environment, students develop leadership skills, form lasting relationships with peers, and learn about college life from current students. Lead the Pack activities are outdoor-based and engaging, leaving participants ready to meet the school year with new friends, and with confidence. http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/cwes/Pages/leadthepack.aspx

Living in an ecologically-mindful and sustainable manner is important to our residents. In support of that goal, Residential Living has developed the Greenest Resident Room program. This model room demonstrates how students and non-students can easily live an affordable and comfortable environmentally-friendly lifestyle. The room focuses on displaying and utilizing “green” products that are commonly used by students on a day-to-day basis. The resident(s) of the Greenest Resident Room provide tours of their room during open house days and enthusiastically share their experience with visitors.

Students on campus are employed by the UWSP Office of Sustainability. The students employed by the office help in developing sustainability related activities on campus and updating the Office of Sustainability website to offer all students the opportunity to learn about sustainable campus actions.