Ways to Get Involved
Student Organization for Sustainability (SOS) is a great way for students to get more involved in campus efforts.
"The purpose of SOS is to promote awareness of environmental issues ranging from the local to the global scale and to take actions that might alleviate unsustainable activities. Besides promoting awareness and organizing activities, we will also strive to educate and instruct the campus and greater community about what can be done to solve environmental problems. Additionally, we will promote the sustainability of natural resources through appropriate means that affect and/or are affected by the campus, surrounding community, and global community."
Join an SIUE Organization
All students are invited to join the Student Organization for Sustainability (SOS).
The purpose of SOS is to promote awareness of environmental issues ranging from the local to the global scale and to take actions that might alleviate unsustainable activities.
Goals of SOS:
- Promote sustainability awareness
- Organize activities
- Educate and instruct the campus and greater community about what can be done to solve environmental problems
- Promote the sustainability of natural resources through appropriate means that affect and/or are affected by the campus, surrounding community, and global community.
Students are also invited to join Natural Connections, a student organization concerned with community gardens and nutritional education for students.
Other Affiliations
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future (SIUE joined in September 2008). Their mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. SIUE is an Institution member. From their website you can create a new account for yourself using your SIUE email address and following the instructions.
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.
The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) is headquartered at the National Center for Higher Education in Washington, DC, is the leading comprehensive student affairs association that advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery.
The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) is a membership organization representing more than 2,500 colleges, universities, and higher education service providers across the country and around the world. NACUBO sponsors an annual Smart and Sustainable Campus conference.
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS® was developed by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) with broad participation from the higher education community. SIUE maintains an overall Silver rating for its efforts in utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research.
