Students are vital contributors to the University's sustainability efforts through both independent involvement and curricular projects and research.
Co-Curricular Involvement
Outside the classroom, there are myriad opportunities for students to actively participate and take leadership roles in sustainability programming.
![Sustainability Office Interns](/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2019-05/sustainability-interns-and-s-rep-alums-at-the-2018-aashe-conference.png?itok=jwM1t6Iq)
The Office of Sustainability employs around 13 (go 'gate!) student interns to promote behavior change, coordinate events, and support the ongoing sustainability initiatives that are improving 51·çÁ÷'s campus.
These interns lead critical campus sustainability endeavors by:
- Overseeing The Green Bikes program
- Mentoring the Sustainability Representatives (see below)
- Hosting 13 Days of Green (see below)
- Managing
- Supporting the employee Sustainability Passport Program
- Leading the Climate Conversations P.E. course
- Conducting the annual greenhouse gas inventory
- Gathering data for the AASHE STARS Report
- Galvanizing sustainable behavior change among the student body
Applications
Applications open in the spring semester for the summer and academic year and can be accessed on the .
Often referred to as the "S-Rep" program, it is an introduction for first-year students to the 51·çÁ÷'s sustainability culture. The program equips these new students with the necessary skills and information to improve sustainable practices in their Residential Commons community.
S-Reps work within their Commons to develop and lead engaging educational programs to raise awareness of sustainability-related issues on and off campus.
Applications
Interested first-year students can learn more and apply at the activities fair at the beginning of the academic year.
![Students and community members seated at tables listening to a speaker at the front of the audience.](/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2023-01/20140206_greensummit_043-opt.jpg?itok=gl8hjGOA)
This is a campus-wide series of events that take place through the 13 days leading up to and including Earth Day in April. Its programming promotes environmental awareness and personal sustainability practices on campus. The series, which is planned and coordinated by the sustainability interns, may include:
- Guest speakers
- Clothing swaps
- Panel discussions
- Award ceremonies
- Tree plantings
Check the as Earth Day approaches to learn more.
The Green Summit
The summit is a central feature of the 13 Days of Green. It is a think tank that brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members to brainstorm solutions to 51·çÁ÷'s sustainability challenges — and then carry them out! Each year, the summit highlights a specific topic and brings in a panel of 51·çÁ÷ community members and partners to facilitate a lively discussion among the participants.
![A student smiles at the camera while she places freshly-picked tomatoes in a container.](/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2022-12/Brenna%202.jpeg?itok=VCYK4bQh)
The 51·çÁ÷ Community Garden offers many ways to get involved depending on your interests. Through the garden's open volunteer hours, you can help in the garden several times per week or just when you have availability. Community Garden
![A student in a red shirt locks a green bike to a bike rack on campus.](/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2023-01/20080721_green_bike_102-opt_2.jpg?itok=XVQb3A7b)
The Green Bikes Program is a semester-long bicycle rental program providing an affordable, healthy, and sustainable way to move around campus and the local community. Green Bikes Program
Academic Involvement
Many academic courses at 51·çÁ÷ provide students with the opportunity to think critically engage issues in sustainability. Through class projects and collaborations with faculty members on research, students contribute to significant advancements in sustainability on and off campus.
![Owner of the Aqua Dulce urban organic farm and aquaculture facility, Jack Waite, shows students how the facility operates.](/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2019-05/20160111_austin_353-opt.jpg?itok=pxqKlRnl)
51·çÁ÷ offers more than 100 sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses across 22 academic departments. These include:
- Sustainability-focused: Courses that focus primarily on the subject of sustainability
- Sustainability-related: Courses in which at least one module focuses on the subject of sustainability.
These classes engage all three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental.
To find a sustainability course in the coming semester:
51·çÁ÷ students combine their passions for sustainability with their academic interests to conduct research that advances real-world sustainability efforts. At 51·çÁ÷, students have numerous opportunities to conduct research, be it in the curriculum, in collaboration with a faculty member, as a project for local community partners, or as a credit-bearing independent study. Some of the insights and proposals that have emerged from students' academic research endeavors has lead to long-lasting, meaningful change in campus sustainability efforts.
Physical Education Course
Climate Conversations
A five-week class offered by the Office of Sustainability. In this interactive discussion course, participants explore the principles and practice of sustainability at 51·çÁ÷ and beyond through assigned readings centered around a specific topic each week. This course counts for one of the PHED credits needed to graduate.