Accomplishments and Goals
Previous Years
1. SSC helped establish a Native Prairie Plot on campus that features drought-resistant native Illinois prairie plants.
2. SSC worked with Sodexo Food Services to go “trayless” at the Bertholf Commons.
3. SSC encouraged President Wilson to sign the Taillores Declaration, committing the University to sustainability.
4. Applied and was allocated funds for a rain barrel by Student Senate to be donated to the IWU Peace Garden.
5. SSC members have constructed notebooks that are sold at the IWU bookstore. These notebooks are sold for $1.00 each and proceeds go to SSC initiatives. Notebooks are made from cereal boxes and paper that is only printed on one side.
Fall 2012 – Spring 2013 Accomplishments
6. SSC has revitalized their club by developing committees with a variety of initiatives. With a number of committee heads and the executive board there is more ownership and leadership within the club. Record keeping has improved and many practices have been standardized. See Future Goals #1. Current committee efforts include Taking Back the Tap, Anti-Styrofoam/Containers, Off-Campus Composting (see Future Goals #5), Divestment (see Future Goals #6), and Fracking.
7. In an effort to eliminate Styrofoam, SSC with the help of Sodexo implemented a reusable takeout container program in Tommy’s. See Future Goals #2.
8. As part of the Taking Back the Tap movement SSC applied and was allocated funds by Student Senate for four hydration stations, two of which were installed in the Fall of 2012. The remaining two are tentatively scheduled for installation during the Summer of 2013. The impetus for the hydration stations came from student interest in eliminating single-use bottled water from all campus dining services. The new classroom building and the renovated Dugout will have hydration stations. In addition, SAAC is in the process of requesting funds for additional hydration stations to be placed in the Shirk Athletic Center.
9. In efforts to support the Taking Back the Tap movement and encourage students to drink tap water, rather than single-use bottled water SSC and the Office of Residential Life supported by the Residents Hall Association purchased 500 reusable stainless steel water bottles from the Stanley Company for $3000. The bottles were passed out to the incoming freshmen class in exchange for their pledge (in writing) to not purchase single-use bottled water.
10. SSC encouraged Sodexo Dining Services to eliminate the sale of single-use bottled water from all campus dining locations. Sodexo agreed to eliminate all single-use bottled water and all bottled beverages, with the exception of catering events, beginning in the Fall of 2013. See Future Goals #3.
11. SSC co-sponsored a talk from Peter Bronski, an award-winning writer, nature photographer and environmental speaker, on campus in conjunction with Student Senate and the Environmental Studies Program. He enlightened the campus on the importance of protecting water quality.
12. SSC event committee helped the campus celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Rachel Carlson’s Silent Spring with a documentary of the book, displays, and a Bird walk.
13. SSC promotes their club annually at the RSO fair for incoming freshman.
14. As part of the 2012 Titan Orientation Week for incoming freshmen SSC, ORL, and the IWU Peace Garden hosted a “sustainability service day” at the IWU Peace Garden. All 50 slots were filled before the day and 42 students showed up on the service day. Students participated in three activities including a recycling how-to relay, construction of recycled notebooks, and random garden tasks (digging, weeding, mowing, painting of hoop house door, and construction of a compost bin). See Future Goals #4.
15. SSC works to foster relationships both on and off of the Illinois Wesleyan Campus. SSC established permanent executive board positions in the Student Senate and GREENetwork to foster communication. Currently SSC works with the Illinois Student Environmental Coalition (ISEC) and the Illinois People’s Action to get a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking). SSC has also volunteered at Ecology Action Center events including an annual booth at their sponsored event: Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo. Through tickets sponsored by ISEC six students had the opportunity to travel to see Bill McKibben speak during 350.org’s “Do The Math” tour in Chicago. As a result of this meeting, students have spent time trying to learn about IWU investments to encourage the campus to divest in fossil fuels (see Future Goals #6). The SSC has also had a long-standing relationship with the Sugar Grove Nature Center, as volunteers and as interns.
16. SSC put on an event called: Climate Change Rally: Defeat Keystone XL in the Hansen Student Center to stand in solidarity with the “Forward on Climate” rally held in Washington D.C. on February 17th. The event was orchestrated to help spread awareness about climate change and to defeat the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline. In total a combination totaling 80 persons, including students, faculty, and community members attended the event which featured talks given by both Faculty members and students, and a number by the Fall 2012 winners of Undercover: The Red Scarves band. Following the event a march was conducted around campus. Sponsors included SSC, College Democrats, Student Senate, ORL Sustainability Educators, the Environmental Studies Program, Illinois State University’s Student Environmental Action Coalition, and Illinois People’s Action.
17. SSC member built the “Veggie Bike” to help transport produce from the IWU Peace Garden to local donation sites. The veggie bike was an effort to promote a connection between the garden and the surrounding community.
Future Goals
1. Maintain consistent membership and level of active participation in SSC.
2. Provide a 100% free rental system of reusable containers across campus dining facilities modeled after other University models, see Oregon State University.
3. Eliminate the sale of single-use bottled water from all campus events, including catering.
4. SSC hopes to make the “Sustainability Work Day” an annual event during the TOL week. SSC, ORL, and members working on the IWU Peace Garden have begun working on the plans for a 2013 Peace Garden Work Day.
5. Plans to continue efforts (in conjunction with interns at the IWU Peace Garden) to provide a composting option for students living in the residence halls and off-campus.
6. Immediate freeze of new investments in the fossil fuel industry and a five year plan to divest Illinois Wesleyan University from all investments in the fossil fuel industry.
7. Continue to foster positive relationships in the larger Bloomington-Normal community.
8. Plans to promote bicycle infrastructure on campus including winter storage, increased number of bike racks, service stations, etc.
9. Along with the Environmental Studies Program which offers a major or minor in Environmental studies, SSC wants to get a sustainability flag added to the general requirements for every student. This would help to inform IWU students about sustainability and environmental issues.
10. Encourage members to pursue internships both during the summer, and academic terms, as well as study abroad.
1. SSC helped establish a Native Prairie Plot on campus that features drought-resistant native Illinois prairie plants.
2. SSC worked with Sodexo Food Services to go “trayless” at the Bertholf Commons.
3. SSC encouraged President Wilson to sign the Taillores Declaration, committing the University to sustainability.
4. Applied and was allocated funds for a rain barrel by Student Senate to be donated to the IWU Peace Garden.
5. SSC members have constructed notebooks that are sold at the IWU bookstore. These notebooks are sold for $1.00 each and proceeds go to SSC initiatives. Notebooks are made from cereal boxes and paper that is only printed on one side.
Fall 2012 – Spring 2013 Accomplishments
6. SSC has revitalized their club by developing committees with a variety of initiatives. With a number of committee heads and the executive board there is more ownership and leadership within the club. Record keeping has improved and many practices have been standardized. See Future Goals #1. Current committee efforts include Taking Back the Tap, Anti-Styrofoam/Containers, Off-Campus Composting (see Future Goals #5), Divestment (see Future Goals #6), and Fracking.
7. In an effort to eliminate Styrofoam, SSC with the help of Sodexo implemented a reusable takeout container program in Tommy’s. See Future Goals #2.
8. As part of the Taking Back the Tap movement SSC applied and was allocated funds by Student Senate for four hydration stations, two of which were installed in the Fall of 2012. The remaining two are tentatively scheduled for installation during the Summer of 2013. The impetus for the hydration stations came from student interest in eliminating single-use bottled water from all campus dining services. The new classroom building and the renovated Dugout will have hydration stations. In addition, SAAC is in the process of requesting funds for additional hydration stations to be placed in the Shirk Athletic Center.
9. In efforts to support the Taking Back the Tap movement and encourage students to drink tap water, rather than single-use bottled water SSC and the Office of Residential Life supported by the Residents Hall Association purchased 500 reusable stainless steel water bottles from the Stanley Company for $3000. The bottles were passed out to the incoming freshmen class in exchange for their pledge (in writing) to not purchase single-use bottled water.
10. SSC encouraged Sodexo Dining Services to eliminate the sale of single-use bottled water from all campus dining locations. Sodexo agreed to eliminate all single-use bottled water and all bottled beverages, with the exception of catering events, beginning in the Fall of 2013. See Future Goals #3.
11. SSC co-sponsored a talk from Peter Bronski, an award-winning writer, nature photographer and environmental speaker, on campus in conjunction with Student Senate and the Environmental Studies Program. He enlightened the campus on the importance of protecting water quality.
12. SSC event committee helped the campus celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Rachel Carlson’s Silent Spring with a documentary of the book, displays, and a Bird walk.
13. SSC promotes their club annually at the RSO fair for incoming freshman.
14. As part of the 2012 Titan Orientation Week for incoming freshmen SSC, ORL, and the IWU Peace Garden hosted a “sustainability service day” at the IWU Peace Garden. All 50 slots were filled before the day and 42 students showed up on the service day. Students participated in three activities including a recycling how-to relay, construction of recycled notebooks, and random garden tasks (digging, weeding, mowing, painting of hoop house door, and construction of a compost bin). See Future Goals #4.
15. SSC works to foster relationships both on and off of the Illinois Wesleyan Campus. SSC established permanent executive board positions in the Student Senate and GREENetwork to foster communication. Currently SSC works with the Illinois Student Environmental Coalition (ISEC) and the Illinois People’s Action to get a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking). SSC has also volunteered at Ecology Action Center events including an annual booth at their sponsored event: Illinois Sustainable Living and Wellness Expo. Through tickets sponsored by ISEC six students had the opportunity to travel to see Bill McKibben speak during 350.org’s “Do The Math” tour in Chicago. As a result of this meeting, students have spent time trying to learn about IWU investments to encourage the campus to divest in fossil fuels (see Future Goals #6). The SSC has also had a long-standing relationship with the Sugar Grove Nature Center, as volunteers and as interns.
16. SSC put on an event called: Climate Change Rally: Defeat Keystone XL in the Hansen Student Center to stand in solidarity with the “Forward on Climate” rally held in Washington D.C. on February 17th. The event was orchestrated to help spread awareness about climate change and to defeat the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline. In total a combination totaling 80 persons, including students, faculty, and community members attended the event which featured talks given by both Faculty members and students, and a number by the Fall 2012 winners of Undercover: The Red Scarves band. Following the event a march was conducted around campus. Sponsors included SSC, College Democrats, Student Senate, ORL Sustainability Educators, the Environmental Studies Program, Illinois State University’s Student Environmental Action Coalition, and Illinois People’s Action.
17. SSC member built the “Veggie Bike” to help transport produce from the IWU Peace Garden to local donation sites. The veggie bike was an effort to promote a connection between the garden and the surrounding community.
Future Goals
1. Maintain consistent membership and level of active participation in SSC.
2. Provide a 100% free rental system of reusable containers across campus dining facilities modeled after other University models, see Oregon State University.
3. Eliminate the sale of single-use bottled water from all campus events, including catering.
4. SSC hopes to make the “Sustainability Work Day” an annual event during the TOL week. SSC, ORL, and members working on the IWU Peace Garden have begun working on the plans for a 2013 Peace Garden Work Day.
5. Plans to continue efforts (in conjunction with interns at the IWU Peace Garden) to provide a composting option for students living in the residence halls and off-campus.
6. Immediate freeze of new investments in the fossil fuel industry and a five year plan to divest Illinois Wesleyan University from all investments in the fossil fuel industry.
7. Continue to foster positive relationships in the larger Bloomington-Normal community.
8. Plans to promote bicycle infrastructure on campus including winter storage, increased number of bike racks, service stations, etc.
9. Along with the Environmental Studies Program which offers a major or minor in Environmental studies, SSC wants to get a sustainability flag added to the general requirements for every student. This would help to inform IWU students about sustainability and environmental issues.
10. Encourage members to pursue internships both during the summer, and academic terms, as well as study abroad.