There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.
-Chinese Proverb
-Chinese Proverb
On Campus - Student Action and Sustainability at MSU
Sustainability is a big job. It encompasses so many things, it would be impossible for one group to even understand all of it, let alone achieve it within Michigan State University. That's why we have many student groups dedicated to working various aspects of sustainability, all in an effort to make MSU more sustainable. We at the Sustainability Action Committee would like this page to serve as a resource to students, faculty, staff, and other groups who are trying to find each other and get involved on campus.
MSU Beyond CoalBeyond Coal got its start in 2010 as part of a national campaign to transition Universities around the country from coal-fired power plants to 100% clean, renewable energy. If we're going to say that we are as "Spartan Green," we'd better live up to that commitment. This is a multi-faceted fight, and MSU Beyond Coal could use your help no matter who you are. Let them know what you're thinking here, or attend one of their weekly meetings. MSU beyond coal meets Tuesdays at 7:00pm in 103 Natural Sciences.
|
Students for Fair TradeThe Fair Trade movement promotes paying farmers and producers of goods a wage that they can be comfortable on. Its goal is reducing exploitation and promoting environmental sustainability. Has the movement been successful so far? Well, you tell us.
MSU Students for Fair Trade is a group involved in raising awareness on campus regarding fair trade and its benefits to both producers and consumers of goods. They work with businesses, non-profits, student groups, faculty, and anyone around the community in hopes of establishing and promoting fair trade in the community. Notable accomplishments include the groups advocacy that only fair trade coffee be served in Sparty's and in the cafeterias on campus, a goal which has since been reached. If you would like to get involved, contact the group via their email or stop by one of their weekly meetings. Wednesdays at 8:00pm in 104 Berkey Hall. Professor Paulette Stenzel also maintains a website and a blog regarding fair trade and sustainability. You can find that at tradeandsustainability.com. |
Student Organic FarmSustainable agriculture is a huge part of the global sustainability process. If you're interested in agriculture, or just in learning more about your food and where it comes from, the Student Organic Farm is the place to do it. They partner with small and mid-sized local growers, providing training and education in several important areas.
If you'd like to get involved with the Student Organic Farm, please email them. |
Sustainability Coursework at MSUIf you find that sustainability is a good idea - and we think you will - you may wish to become more involved. MSU offers a sustainability specialization and several sustainability courses that you can use to discover more.
Sustainability Specialization There are many courses you can take at MSU with sustainability framework. Under the business college's umbrella, GBL460 and GBL480 are both classes that you can take relating sustainability to business law. In these courses, you'll learn a lot more about sustainability and how it is applied by real people all over the world. You'll learn about how it is used (and sometimes abused) in business and how it has been successfully employed by various people in the past. |
Spartan Global Development FundMicrofinance, an emerging concept in global economics, seeks to empower individuals without the collateral to guarantee an traditional loan by providing them with access to capital. Spartan Global Development Fund is an organization on campus actively involved with microfinance, funding loans through Kiva through fundraisers and sometimes even taking trips to developing countries. If you would like to contact SGDF, you can email them here.
|
MSU NetImpactNetimpact is an organization based in San Francisco that seeks to make a difference in the kind of work that we do. The MSU chapter is graduate-student based. If you are interested in working with this group, please email them here.
|