Virginia Tech
ER-T2-1: Student Group

Many student organizations at Virginia Tech actively focus on sustainability issues. Total, there are over 600 different student organizations on campus. The student organizations listed below are among the most active sustainability-focused groups on campus. 1. The Environmental Coalition (EC): The EC is the most active sustainability focused organization on campus. The EC consists of students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, and community members. The mission of the EC is as follows, “To advocate for a sustainable future by uniting, educating and motivating community members to serve at the local, state and national levels.” The EC places equal emphasis on education and action, offering speakers at meetings, field trips, and local volunteer opportunities related to sustainability. In fall 2010, EC completed a Green Request for Proposal (with the Office of Energy and Sustainability) and conducted a bike rack inventory for the school. EC also began a mentoring program for new members (titled Oaks and Acorns), partnered with Oxfam and Young Democrats, and co-organized the VT Green Effect game and recycling program. Additional EC activities include participation in the following: Earth Week events, Powershift 2011 recruitment, campus cleanups, stream cleanups, camping trips, mountaintop removal coal mining site field trip, fundraisers and others. For more information about the EC, please see: www.theecvt.wordpress.com 2. Chesapeake Bay Student Network (CBSN): The CBSN is a student-led network for which students, educators, and organizations with interests in Chesapeake Bay restoration can communicate & form relationships. The mission of the CBSN is “To facilitate professional student involvement towards Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.” CBSN is a fairly young organization and is beginning to recruit additional support and membership. CBSN activities to date include the “Alternative Spring Break with Chesapeake Bay Foundation” and partnership with other student organizations. For more information about the CBSN, please see: http://www.cbsnstudents.com/ 3. Oxfam at Virginia Tech: Oxfam at Virginia Tech is a campus club that supports Oxfam America initiatives, raises awareness, and helps local communities in need. Oxfam at Virginia Tech’s mission is dedicated to finding lasting solutions to hunger, poverty, and social injustice. Founded just a year and a half ago, Oxfam at Virginia Tech has nearly 40 active members and has raised over $10,000 for their causes. Activities to date include holding a Hunger Banquet to raise awareness of the nearly one billion people suffering from chronic hunger. For more information about Oxfam at Virginia Tech, please see: www.VToxfam.org 4. Sustainable Food Corps: The Sustainable Food Corps at Virginia Tech is a student organization that encourages the production and consumption of local and regional foods that are healthy and nutritious. The mission of the Sustainable Food Corps is “To promote economic development within our community, to support a resilient, sustainable, locally-owned food system which provides improved citizen access to local and regional food.” For more information about Sustainable Food Corps at Virginia Tech, please see: http://www.sfcvt.org/ 5. Beyond Coal at Virginia Tech (VTBC): VTBC is a student organization working for sustainable energy solutions to help transition Virginia Tech off of coal. VTBC aims to increase energy efficiency in the short term, and incorporate renewable energy for the long term. VTBC is sponsored by the Sierra Club (Beyond Coal is a national, university -based campaign). VTBC has two levels of involvement, interns and volunteers. In the two years that VTBC has been active at Virginia Tech, they have transitioned from a grass-roots based program to a research-based group. For more information about Beyond Coal, please see: www.vtbeyondcoal.wordpress.com 6. Environmental Student Organization at Virginia Tech: The Environmental Student Organization at Virginia Tech is a sponsored student organization through the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences. The Environmental Student Organization promotes the importance of environmental stewardship and awareness through service, education and enjoyment of the outdoors. 7. Leadership Tech – Society & Environmental Sustainability Team: All students have the opportunity to join Leadership Tech, a co-curricular program that fosters student leadership development through experiential learning and student involvement. Students with junior or greater standing can join the Engaging Leadership teams, one of which is the Society & Environmental Sustainability Team. The Society & Environmental Sustainability Team is for those interested in creating more sustainable society, including issues such as community and campus sustainability, ecosystem protection and restoration, and/or creating a more fair and just society. Students participate in weekly group activities that connect to their theme area and work as a team to create community engagement projects. For more information about the Leadership Tech – Society & Environmental Sustainability Team, please see: http://www.uusa.vt.edu/studentactivities/leadershipdevelopmentinfo.php 8. Seek Education Explore DiScover (SEEDS) – Virginia Tech Student Chapter: SEEDS is a local non-profit educational organization that creates inquiry-based, discovery oriented activities for everyone. SEEDS has a Student Chapter at Virginia Tech that strives to teach children to be active citizens in a sustainable society. For more information about SEEDS, please see: http://www.seedsguys.org/ 9. Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) – Virginia Tech Student Chapter: SWCS is a nonprofit organization that advocates the protection, enhancement, and wise use of soil, water, and related natural resources. The Virginia Tech Student Chapter of SWCS participates in a variety of service and social activities throughout the year, including Save Our Streams Biomonitoring at local streams, educational workshops, stream clean-ups, hiking, and other conservation activities. For more information about the Virginia Tech Student Chapter of SWCS, please see: http://www.swcs.bse.vt.edu/home.html 10. Engineers Without Borders - Virginia Tech Chapter: Engineers Without Borders is a service organization that works to connect engineers with communities that need help, all over the world. Their mission is to “partner with disadvantaged areas to improve their quality of life through the implementation of environmentally, equitably, and economically sustainable engineering projects while developing internationally responsible engineers and engineering students through education, encouragement, and experience.” For more information about the Virginia Tech Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, please see: http://www.ewbvirginiatech.org/ For an article highlighting how students have been directly involved with sustainability initiatives at Virginia Tech, please see: http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/innovation/2010-05-17-sustainability/sustainability.html