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 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 Sustainability (SFS) – 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.

*350 Stevens Point - has been established to raise awareness of the climate crisis and other environmental issues and to take action for these issues.

*American Water Resources Association - Develop an awareness of water resource issues, employment possibilities and inter-chapter activities to both the university and Stevens Point community. Establish a common meeting ground for those concerned with water resources and provide exposure to career professionals, collection, organization and dissemination of ideas and information about water resources sci. and technology.

*Land Conservation Society - The purpose of this organization will be to assist the North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) and other Wisconsin Land Trusts in support of their missions to conserve land.

*Reformation and Improvement of Society and Environment (RISE) - We, the students of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, in order to invoke the responsibility of the citizens of the world to rise against corruption, injustice and towards the betterment of the earth and its environment, establish Reformation and Improvement of Society and Environment, which is a socio-environmental organization for the people.

*(SWAMP) Students for Wetland Awareness, Management, and Protection - develop an awareness of wetland science issues locally, nationally, and internationally, -promote scientifically sound practices of wetland conservation -provide education on the importance of wetland environments to the UWSP, Stevens Point, and surrounding communities

The UWSP Campus Garden was created in the spring of 2006 by the Sustainable Agriculture in Communities Society (SACS) and is maintained by SFS (Students for Sustainability) members. SFS 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 SFS harvest dinner. Vegetables grown include turnips, kale, swiss chard, onions, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes.

Some of the student organizations volunteer or encourage their members to volunteer at Farmshed (Farmshed’s mission is to expand the connection between local residents and their food by providing opportunities for participation, education, cooperation, and action to support a local food economy in Central Wisconsin). It is a local garden and meeting place to learn about plants and what we can do to be more aware of where our food comes from. To learn more go to <http://www.farmshed.org/>

The students here also have opportunities to work with Community Supported Agriculture in Central Wisconsin if they have an interest or if their major requires that type of learning. Some clubs take advantage of these opportunities as well, to learn more about local agriculture and help the farmers with a night of work.

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.
https://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/cwes/Pages/default.aspx

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 builds lasting relationships. https://www.uwsp.edu/dining/Pages/default.aspx

All of our on campus vendors must have at least two fair trade items for sale in their establishments and they must be easy to find on the menus thanks to our Fair Trade Committee.

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 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 https://www.uwsp.edu/ucm/news/Pages/EarthWeek17.aspx

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 Stevens Point brought the Beehive Collection to campus in 2014. Now, their efforts have been based around climate change, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, fighting against dirty industry, supporting clean energy and protecting Wisconsin's water. They encourage students to attend protests on issues like the Back 40 sulfide mine that is proposed by Aquila Resources Inc about 150 feet from the Menominee River. Without 350 Stevens Point, students may not even know these decisions are being made or that they can voice their opinion.

The Division of Communication offers study abroad courses that emphasize sustainable tourism and agriculture, and writing courses that address the issues of sustainability in major contemporary goods issues.

Sustainability is woven through many programs on various levels in the College of Professional Studies. From the first doctoral program in educational sustainability in the country, to the popular CPS Café where students create local farm-to-table recipes, to courses focused on sustainable interior design, our students are proactive, resourceful, connected and caring when it comes to sustainability.

There are many opportunities to get outdoors at UWSP. All of the clubs mentioned in the above section have outdoor activities when weather allows. There is an outdoor rental facility on campus where you can check out supplies like kayaks and canoes.

The Schmeeckle Reserve offers the opportunity to hold events in an outdoor location and is great for educational events. https://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/schmeeckle/Pages/home.aspx

There is a camping organization called inTents. They hold events and discuss ways of living out in the woods with the bare minimum supplies. https://spin.uwsp.edu/organization/inTents

Adventure Tour is a program that allows students to take an international trip to explore their natural habitats.

Adventure Club is a student organization that allows students to explore the United States wilderness. They do activities on campus that get students hiking, biking, camping and all out roughing it. It is relatively inexpensive to do these activities too. Only $20 per semester and money for food to get out in the diverse wilderness. https://spin.uwsp.edu/organization/ARC

All of the Natural Resource majors are required to have some time in an outdoor learning environment. Some courses offered have a section where they walk to an outdoor location because it is the best way to learn about the topics being discussed (especially true for forestry and wildlife majors).

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.

Each residence hall government team includes one green advocate (GA) position. Green advocates are advised by their hall director and advised by Cindy Von Gnechten (Residential Living facilities designer). https://www.uwsp.edu/resliving/Pages/progsForResidents/GreenAdvocates.aspx

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. https://www.uwsp.edu/sga/Pages/UWSPSGA-EnvironmentalandSustainabiltyIssuesCommittee.aspx

"I _____ pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."
Our pledge encourages students to think of the kind of implications that their future job might have.