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¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ celebrated Earth Day with the culmination of the 13 Days of Green from April 10–22, organized by the Sustainability Office. The events included a kick-off festival on the Academic Quad, a clothing swap promoting sustainable fashion, multiple panel discussions and ENST brown bags, and a zero-waste barbeque and brunch. The 17th annual Green Summit featured speakers addressing sustainability, community, and individual impact. Oak Awards recognized student, faculty, and staff contributions to sustainability. Overall, the 13 Days of Green raised awareness, encouraged sustainable practices, and engaged the ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ community in environmental action.

This week marks a one-year reflection on switching to a menstrual cup, a reusable period product made of silicone or latex that collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow. Menstrual cups can be worn up to 12 hours and last up to 10 years, reducing waste, cost, and exposure to toxins compared to disposable tampons and pads. Historically, menstrual cups date back to the 1860s, with modern designs emerging in the 1930s and gaining popularity in the 21st century. Using a menstrual cup is more sustainable, convenient, and economical, helping prevent billions of period products from ending up in landfills each year. Other reusable options, such as period panties, reusable pads, and organic cotton products, are also available for those seeking sustainable alternatives.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is a member-driven organization supporting colleges and universities in creating a sustainable future. It provides resources, professional development, and a network to help institutions model sustainability across governance, operations, education, and research. Sustainability is defined broadly, encompassing ecological and human health, social justice, and secure livelihoods. ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ, a member since 2009, recently renewed its membership. Through AASHE, the campus has access to publications, networking, and the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), which helps measure progress—¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ recently earned a STARS Gold rating. Membership benefits extend to all students, faculty, and staff, providing resources for engaged scholarship and sustainability-focused coursework. AASHE offers newsletters, an extensive online resource library, professional development opportunities, event discounts, and recognition through awards and publications. Members can participate in governance, councils, and committees, and use the AASHE logo to demonstrate sustainability commitment. Overall, AASHE supports ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ in advancing sustainability initiatives, connecting with peers, tracking progress, and integrating sustainable practices into campus life.

he Carbon Cube is a visual art installation at ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ representing the amount of carbon each individual emits every 48 hours, based on the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Report. Made of wood and painted with chalkboard paint, it is inspired by a similar project by Christophe Cornubert in Copenhagen. The installation aims to make carbon emissions tangible, prompting the campus community to confront their environmental impact. The chalkboard surface invites viewers to write responses, symbolizing hope and behavioral change as light chalk replaces the cube’s blackness. The project highlights the responsibility of privileged communities to address climate change and encourages ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ to model sustainability as it approaches its 2019 carbon neutrality goal. By fostering awareness and engagement, the cube seeks to motivate meaningful reductions in campus carbon emissions.

Sustainability doesn’t require major lifestyle changes—small daily actions can have a big impact.

The 13 Days of Green is ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s annual lead-up to Earth Day, designed to promote sustainability and social equity within the campus and local community. Hosted by the Sustainability Office, the event features 13 days of interactive programs, including a kickoff festival, the Green Summit and Oak Awards, a clothing swap, a movie screening of Before the Flood, and a zero-waste Earth Day brunch. Participants can also win sustainable prizes through a raffle. The initiative encourages students, faculty, and community members to engage with sustainability practices and support ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2019, while highlighting fun, educational ways to live more sustainably year-round.

As ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ prepares to host Joe Biden, the Sustainability Office highlights his long-standing commitment to environmental protection and animal rights. Although best known for foreign policy during his 34 years in the U.S. Senate, Biden consistently supported environmental legislation, earning an 84% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters. He has emphasized the link between global leadership and climate action, advocating for domestic emissions reductions, stronger fuel-economy standards, expanded use of renewable and alternative energy, and greater U.S. participation in international climate efforts. Biden’s record includes supporting limits on mercury emissions, protecting public lands, reducing oil subsidies, strengthening EPA regulations, opposing commercial whaling, and promoting animal welfare. His environmental legacy aligns with ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s sustainability goals and serves as inspiration for continued campus action.

The Sustainability Office is hiring three paid student interns for Summer 2017 to support ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s sustainability initiatives. The 10-week positions run from late May through early August, with flexible schedules up to 40 hours per week. Interns will assist with innovative sustainability programming, creative writing and video content, social media, the Green Bikes program, and occasional work in the Community Garden. Ideal candidates have strong communication, organizational, and writing skills; can work independently in a fast-paced environment; and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and apply through the portal; positions are open until filled.

¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s recycling rate currently stands at about 14%, well below the 23% campus goal for the RecycleMania 8-week competition. RecycleMania encourages universities to boost recycling and reduce landfill waste, and ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ aims to raise its rate from an 18% baseline. This week’s theme focuses on plastics, highlighting ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle them properly. Students are encouraged to visit Green Raiders in the Coop for guidance and to help improve personal and campus recycling habits.

Revee Needham spent winter break in Costa Rica learning about organic agriculture by volunteering at two farms through WWOOF and Osa Conservation. Through WWOOF, they worked on a vegan animal sanctuary farm in exchange for lodging and meals, gaining hands-on experience with organic farming, animal care, and sustainable living. They then volunteered with Osa Conservation’s organic agriculture program, helping with planting and harvesting while learning about the labor-intensive nature of organic farming and environmental challenges such as heavy pesticide use and hurricane damage. Overall, the experience highlighted sustainable travel options and encouraged others to incorporate eco-friendly volunteering and accommodations into their trips.