Camper Park Wins Hydration Games

Following 20 days of intense water conservation competition between campus residents, the winner of the Fall 2016 Hydration Games has been announced.  With an incredible water-use reduction of 39 gallons per person, residents of the Camper Park stepped up to claim the Colleges, Housing, & Educational Services Student Sustainability Adviser Hydration Games Trophy.  Second place was a tie between Cowell College and Family Student Housing, each conserving 34 gallons per person.  The Village came in third with 32 gallons per person.

Congratulations to our campus' Student Sustainability Advisers, who coordinated the competition and whose education and outreach efforts continue to inspire water conservation.  And congratulations to all who make an effort to save water.  You are all winners in the Earth's eyes!

UCSC Student Sustainability Advisors with the Hydration Games trophy and CHES - SSA Award Plaque. Photo Credit: UC Santa Cruz SSA.

 See how your residential area scored on the SSA's leaderboard!

Area-------------------Water reduction (gallons) per person
Camper Park---------------------------39
Family Student Housing-------------34
Cowell College-------------------------34
The Village------------------------------32
Redwood Grove------------------------21
Porter College--------------------------20
Merrill College--------------------------17
Graduate Student Housing---------14
Crown College-------------------------10
Stevenson College-------------------- 7
Kresge College-------------------------5
College Nine----------------------------4
College Ten-----------------------------2
Rachel Carson College------------ 0.5
Oakes College------------------------+11

Source: UC Santa Cruz SSA Facebook Page

November 2016: Classes, trainings & community

Final Week of UCSC Hydration Games!

Students, keep up the great work conserving water in our UCSC campus residential areas! As we enter the final week of the Colleges, Housing & Educational Services (CHES -Student Sustainability Advisors Hydration Games, make sure to check out the Facebook and Twitter social media pages for water conservation tips. The winner of the UCSC Hydration Games will be announced the week of November 7, and there is a prize, so keep on conserving water, slugs!
Enroll in the Sustainability Studies Minor: Workshop November 7
Are you concerned about Earth’s future? Enrollment is coming! Sign up for Rachel Carson College’s Minor in Sustainability Studies The minor is open to all UCSC students. There will be an informational & declaration workshop on Monday, November 7, 3:30-4:30pm, at the Rachel Carson College Red Room. For more information, visit the Rachel Carson College website.

Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History Open House & Fundraiser: November 12-13

Art and science will mix when the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History at UCSC holds its fifth open house and fundraiser November 12-13 at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn. Students and the greater Santa Cruz community are invited from 10am – 5pm on Saturday, November 12 and 10am – 3pm Sunday, November 13. Admission is free. The theme for this year's open house is "Cross-Pollination, the Art and Science of Natural History." The Norris Center has teamed up with renowned local nature illustrator Maryjo Koch and will display her illustrations alongside many of the Norris Center’s extensive collections, including the Randall Morgan Pollinator Collection. Learn more about the Norris Center event here.

Indigethanx: November 18 - RSVP by November 11

The American Indian Resource Center is hosting an Alternative Thanksgiving Celebration on Friday, November 18 from 5:00-7:30 pm at the Women's Center, Cardiff House. Indigethanx provides an opportunity to rethink the thanksgiving holiday and help educate the UCSC community about traditional Native foods. Please RSVP via email on or before Friday, November 11. Share this event on Facebook.

Free Pitch Workshop for Startup Weekend: November 9
Have an idea that you want to pitch at Startup Weekend Santa Cruz: Sustainability & Social Impact on Friday, November 18 (see below)? Want feedback and help strategizing for the weekend? Come to this free workshop hosted by the Startup Weekend Santa Cruz team for feedback and help developing your pitch! Snacks will be provided. The workshop will take place November 9 from 5:45-7:00pm in the Everett Program Office in Social Sciences 2, room 47. Visit the Facebook page for details.

Startup Weekend Santa Cruz: Sustainability & Social Impact: November 18-20

There have been 2000+ Startup Weekend events in 135+ countries around the world, and we are looking forward to hosting one in Santa Cruz. It’s a 54-hour event (similar to a Hackathon) where developers, designers, nonprofit leaders, students, entrepreneurs, engaged citizens, social justice advocates, environmentalists, marketers, product managers, startup enthusiasts, and many others can come together to pitch ideas, develop them into concrete business ideas, and get feedback from mentors and judges! This event focuses on Sustainable Solutions and Social Impact to encourage cross-pollination of communities within Santa Cruz County. Join folks with different interests, areas of expertise, and passions to share, create, & get feedback on ideas that will change the world for the better. Activities include rapid-fire startup pitches, prototype building, customer development, mentor feedback, and conclude with a Shark Tank-style judging session. Tickets are capped at 100 people, and student discounts are available by emailing the planning team. You can learn more and get tickets on the Startup Weekend Santa Cruz website. Share the event via social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.

VOICES: Group for identifying and healing from race-related trauma/stress for students of color
VOICES is a support and discussion group for identifying and healing from race-related trauma/stress for Undergraduate and Graduate Students of Color. They meet Mondays from 5:00 - 6:30pm at the Oakes Mural Room. Topics include: Managing self-care, thriving on a predominantly White campus, fostering empowerment, and navigating invisibility. This group is offered by UCSC Counseling and Psychological Services. Contact Alesha Harris at 831-459-2220 for more information. If you require any disability accommodations please contact CAPS at 831-459-2628.

Free workshops & trainings with Post-Landfill Action Network
The Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) cultivates and educates the student-led zero waste movement and informs students about the waste crisis, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to implement solutions about waste into their campus communities. UC Santa Cruz is a PLAN member school, which gives us free access to resources and support from PLAN, including workshops and trainings focused on student leadership and how to effectively reach zero waste. Learn more about these opportunities on the blog.

Power Shift Convergence: November 11-13
Power Shift Convergence is a collaboration between the Power Shift Network and the California Student Sustainability Coalition. They aim to bring young people together as a movement—building the organizing skills, passion, and strong connections needed for a long-term commitment to the grassroots work that will help us realize a both ethical and clean energy-powered future. We seek to empower, recharge, and uplift the voices of young activists and blooming change-makers. Gathered together, we will unite, redefine, and push forward our movement. Register now for earlybird prices, and find out more information on their Facebook event. UCSC students--email Laurel Levin of Fossil Free UCSC for information about UCSC carpooling and lodging options.

Master's Program in Tropical Biodiversity: Deadline November 30

The Université libre de Bruxelles (based out of Belgium) is coordinating the Erasmus Mundus Tropimundo Master program. Tropimundo is the first International Master in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems (2 years) that allows students to delve into the interlinked ecosystems under threat by spending an entire semester in the field: tropical rainforests and woodlands, wetlands (both terrestrial and coastal) such as mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs.  Please submit your application to the program website. Application deadline is November 30.

Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program: Deadline February 2
This is a six-week program at Howard University that helps prepare undergraduate students for careers in international affairs. It includes two for-credit academic courses, a professional writing seminar, visits and meetings with foreign affairs professionals in a wide range of government and non-governmental organizations, and professional development activities. It pays for tuition, room, board, and transportation, and provides a stipend. The program will run from mid-June until late July. The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need. Applicants with any undergraduate major are welcome to apply. Additional qualifications and information about how to apply are online here.

May 2016 Sustainability Profile: Rebecca Sale

Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world. This month features Rebecca Sale, the Education and Outreach Team Coordinator for the Sustainability Office.

Position Titles: Education and Outreach Coordinator (2015-2016), Student Sustainability Advisor for Cowell and Stevenson Colleges (2014-2015), Education and Outreach Team Associate (2013-2015)

What does “sustainability” mean to you?  It means so much and it's so big that it's kind of difficult to grasp. To me, it means considering the impact of everything you do. Being conscious of, and taking responsibility for your actions. Everything you do affects something and someone else, even if you don't see it. It's a balance between the people and the planet.

Why did you get involved with sustainability? It's a lifestyle I chose so that I can give back. It's important to take care of our limited resources. I'm an outdoor enthusiast and I want to show my respect to the land and the people who were here before me. I hope to leave this place better than it was when I got here.

How has sustainability related to your role(s) at UCSC? As the Education and Outreach Coordinator, my role is to promote campus sustainability efforts like carbon neutrality and zero waste and to encourage behavior change.

How do you practice sustainability in your daily life? I challenge myself every day to be more conscious and to use fewer resources and to make good habits of those actions. I try to not purchase what I don't need. I ride my bike to school and work. I do things that I think everyone one has a societal responsibility to do, like picking up litter, not buying single use items.

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC? I love tabling at orientations and spring spotlight, talking to prospective students about their own interests in environmental work and getting them excited about what this amazing school has to offer.

Are there sustainability practices you’ve picked up specific to your background or culture? My family doesn't really buy unnecessary items, we reuse grocery bags and repurpose food containers. I'm following those footsteps and hopefully living a lifestyle that my future family will respect and continue improving.

If you know of a person or group on campus that you think we should profile, or if you would like to be profiled, please send us an email at susted[at]ucsc[dot]edu

March 2016: Internships, Employment, and Volunteering

Internships

2-Unit Zero Waste Team Internships - Deadline March 11
The Zero Waste Team is seeking three dedicated interns that are interested in gaining professional experience and are passionate about waste reduction on the UCSC campus. Interns will be assigned to one of the following three projects based on interest: Assisting in planning and facilitating Zero Waste Events, planning and facilitating 2nd Annual Campus Clean Up, or standardizing waste infrastructure across campus. Each of these projects will grant interns a level of creative autonomy but will also provide structure, guidance and relevant training to be an effective asset to the Zero Waste Team. Read all of the application details here.

Campus Food & Garden Guide Intern
Want to contribute to the creation of this year's annual Campus Food & Garden Guide? Food Systems Working Group is hiring an intern to support this project. For more information and to apply, please contact Alyssa at abillys[at]ucsc[dot]edu. See previous Food & Garden Guides online here.

Spring CASFS Internships through Environmental Studies
The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems will be hosting 2 unit and 5 unit internships in spring quarter on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12pm. Apply through the Environmental Studies Internship Office. Contact Alyssa at abillys[at]ucsc[dot]edu for more information.

Internships with Stevenson Garden
Spend time outdoors in the sun this spring quarter with a 2-unit Stevenson Garden internship! Interns get hands-on gardening experience and contribute to the growth and abundance of the Stevenson Garden. Credit is through the Environmental Studies Internship office. Contact Dave Shaw at daveshawlistens[at]gmail[dot]com for more information.

Environmental Studies Internships Open to All Majors

The Environmental Studies has many different internship opportunities available for spring. These 2 and 5-unit internships are open to all majors. Review some of the internships and learn how to apply on the Environmental Studies website here. Contact Chris Krohn for more information and additional internship listings at ckrohn [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Seeking Mentors & Students for Provost Sustainability Internship - $1500 + 12 units!
Are you interested in working to make our campus more environmentally and socially sustainable? The PSI program is a great way to get involved! The program pairs students with staff and faculty mentors to plan and implement a year-long campus sustainability project. Students receive internship credit for the fall, winter, and spring quarters and a $1500 scholarship upon completion of the program. Environmental Studies Senior Exit can be fulfilled with this program. Share this opportunity on Facebook here. Learn more on the website.
>>Student applications are due April 28th at 5pm; student applications are available here.
>>Mentor applications for departments to host an intern are due April 15th at 5pm; mentor applications are available here.

Summer Internships for Current Students with Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN): Application due March 11 
PLAN is seeking current students for six internship positions this summer. Positions available for this summer are Storytelling Intern, Grant Writing Intern, Visual Media Intern, Movement-Building Intern, Goodwill Intern, Business Development Intern. Interns work out of Dover, NH. For more information, click here.

Campus Coordination Summer Fellowship with Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN): Application due March 11

The Campus Coordination Fellowship is a position for a recent grad looking to build a career in organizing for the zero waste movement. Duties include working with the Director of Campus Coordination to update campus contact databases and identify campuses for outreach and outreaching to campuses nationwide. Fellows work out of Dover, NH. Click here for more information.

Stream Ecology Field Assistant
The incumbent would help the lead researcher collect benthic macroinvertebrate samples and assess habitat condition in streams in Marin and Sonoma counties. The project will span a 4-6 week period from late March to early May, and typically involve 3-4 days of work per week. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to bstanfor [at] ucsc [dot] edu. For more information, click here.

Naturalist Internship at Foothill Horizons: Deadline April 1
Interns work with sixth grade students during week-long outdoor education sessions. Interns lead students on hikes and outdoor exploration while teaching hands-on science curriculum in a fun, engaging way. On certain weeks, interns also serve as the recreation leader for freeplay and various activities. For more information, click here.

Naturalist Internship with Sierra Outdoor School
Interns will teach 4th through 6th-grade students science concepts and lead team building activities in an outdoor setting in the Sierra Nevada foothills. This position involves leading small and large groups in day classes, field trips, and night program activities. For more information, click here.

Citizen Outreach Director for Fund for the Public Interest
Fund for the Public Interest is hiring Citizen Outreach Directors to run grassroots campaign offices across the country next fall, working on behalf of groups like Environment America, US PIRG, and the Human Rights Campaign. Directors will run campaigns to ban fracking, end LGBT discrimination in the workplace, and reclaim democracy by getting big money out of politics, all while hiring and managing an office of committed activists. Find information about this and other jobs with the Fund here.

Employment

Student Sustainability Adviser (SSA) and SSA Administrative Assistant
Applications for the positions of Student Sustainability Adviser and SSA Administrative Assistant for the 2016-2017 academic year are now open. The primary role of Student Sustainability Advisers is to raise awareness and offer educational opportunities within their designated college communities about the many ways in which campus residents can positively affect and contribute to UCSC's sustainability goals. More information can be found via the Employee Request System at ER #7056 for the position of SSA and at ER #7534 for the position of SSA Administrative Assistant.

UCSC Take Back the Tap Campaign Coordinator and Organizers
Take Back the Tap is currently looking for new organizers and outreaching for candidates for a paid coordinator position for the 2016-2017 school year. Organizers and the coordinator will have the chance to work with outreach, event planning, fiscal, and community organizing projects. If you are interested in organizing with the campaign, attend their meetings on Mondays from 12:15-1:45 PM in Kresge Room 166, or contact them at tbttucsc-group [at] ucsc [dot] edu.

Assistant/Associate Professor in Sustainability Science at Colorado State Universiry: Priority Deadline March 6
The Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks candidates for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor who have expertise in the role of how socio-economic factors constrain and provide opportunities for solving current sustainability challenges for social-ecological systems across multiple spatial and temporal scales. More information can be found here.

Sustainability Analyst for University of Virginia: Application due March 9
The UVA Office for Sustainability is seeking an Energy and Sustainability Engineer to contribute to developing solutions to meet university-wide goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and overall environmental stewardship. More information can be found at jobs.virginia.edu under the University Staff section or by searching for posting number 0618198.

Energy and Sustainability Engineer for University of Virginia: Application due March 9
The UVA Office for Sustainability is seeking an Energy and Sustainability Engineer to contribute to developing solutions to meet university-wide goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and overall environmental stewardship. More information can be found at jobs.virginia.edu under the University Staff section or by searching for posting number 0618196.

Food Recovery Network Positions: Applications considered on rolling basis through April 8
Food Recovery Network is the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in America. The network is currently seeking to fill the positions of Communications Associate, Programming Associate, and 2016-2017 Fellowship Cohort. Position descriptions and application instructions can be found here.

Employment with the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
SACNAS is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Santa Cruz and the largest multicultural and multidisciplinary diversity in STEM organization in the country. SACNAS is currently seeking applicants for the positions of Accountant/Administrative Services, Program Manager, and Director of Programs.

Energy Manager for Pomona College in Claremont, CA
The Energy Manager provides leadership to the College’s energy program and utility systems and to advance Pomona’s Sustainability Action Plan. This position requires a Bachelors degree in a related technical or engineering discipline or equivalent career experience, Energy Manager Certification strongly preferred and LEED AP or ability to obtain within 18 months. For more information, see here.

Electric Vehicle Program Associate for the International Council on Clean Transportation
The ICCT seeks a highly motivated, self-directed person to contribute to a wide range of research on electric vehicle technology and policies to promote advanced efficiency and plug-in electric vehicles. This position will be located in San Francisco, California. Find more information here.

Safe Routes to School Project Manager, New Jersey
RideWise, a non-profit agency located in Bridgewater, NJ that promotes the use of sustainable travel alternatives is seeking a full-time Safe Routes to School Project Manager to plan and implement projects and activities that improve bicycle/pedestrian access and safety for school-age students. Learn more online.

Sustainability Project Manager for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  
The project manager will provide leadership and implementation strategies on sustainable building design and construction, energy, water, stormwater, land management, and waste systems. They will lead the development of and enable the implementation of current and future related sustainability commitments, relevant data management, strategic planning, analysis, and collaborative relationships. More information available can be found here.

Volunteering

Earth Day Volunteers Needed
Earth Day Santa Cruz is an annual event to raise environmental awareness; address concerns; showcase solutions; and present balanced modes of living for the well-being of each individual, the community, and the planet. Earth Day Santa Cruz needs about 75 volunteers to help promote, set up and support the booths at the event. If you are interested in volunteering for this great event, email Rebecca Sale at rsale [at] ucsc [dot] edu or earthday [at] ecoact [dot] com.

Volunteer with the Student Environmental Center (SEC)
The SEC is a great way for students to grow as individuals, learn leadership skills, and gain invaluable work experience. Volunteers learn about current campus projects and policies and have the opportunity to participate or take on leadership roles in many topic areas. To get involved, please email seclead-group [at] ucsc [dot] edu, visit the website at sec.enviroslug.org, or attend General Gatherings to meet members and learn about specific volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer with Sea Slugs, an Ocean Conservation Org 
Sea Slugs is an ocean-minded campus organization dedicated to environmental stewardship. It is an excellent opportunity for students (both undergrad and grad) to engage in the greater community through public service while making a positive impact on the local environment. For information about meeting times and opportunities, contact Sea Slugs at seaslug.ucsc [at] gmail [dot] com or visit their website.

Join Banana Slugs for Animals 
Banana Slugs for Animals welcomes all to their weekly meetings. During the meetings they discuss animal rights and plan events! If you would like to know more please email slugsforanimals [at] gmail [dot] com or visit their Facebook page.

Sprout Up
Sprout Up is environmental education for the next generation. Sprout Up is an organization that teaches environmental science and sustainability to 1st and 2nd grade students in elementary schools all around Santa Cruz. To learn about joining Sprout Up, email communitysc [at] sproutup [dot] org.

Arboretum Volunteer Gardening Opportunities 
The Arboretum has volunteer gardening hours throughout the week. Visit their website for details.

The Bike Church Community Repair Shop Seeking Volunteers
Have a knack for cycling, biking and learning to maintain bikes? Interested in learning to divert bike parts from the waste stream? Then this is the opportunity for you! Click here for more information.

Volunteer with Coastal Watershed Council
The Coastal Watershed Council invites you to join its efforts to protect and preserve local watersheds! If you are interested in volunteering on the San Lorenzo River, doing water quality monitoring through programs like Snapshot Day, First Flush, Urban Watch or any of CWC’s other events and programs, please visit their website.

February 2016: Nicki Doan

What is your title, affiliation, and year?
Hi! My name is Nicki Doan, and I am an SSA, which stands for Student Sustainability Adviser, for the sister colleges of Porter and Kresge. I am a 2nd year Kresge affiliate.

What does “sustainability” mean to you?
When I imagine the term “sustainability,” I think of a ying-yang circle. The concept of ying and yang is that one side balances the other, in a uniformed manner. No side is sharper or more intricate than the other, hence the circular shape and the simplistic color schemes of black and white. I believe that sustainability has the same concept; it’s about taking only what you need, but also knowing that what you take comes with a price, and returning the favor. Like the symbol, sustaining means balancing, and when we take something from the environment, such as trees and paper, we must give it back, just as in recycling.

What made you interested in sustainability?
I think that being sustainable has always been a part of me as I was growing up. For example, my family always rewashed containers to use as portable food holders, and they have always kept gift bags and tissue papers to reuse next Christmas. My religion also plays a big role in my interest in sustainability. I was taught to treat every living thing with compassion, and to always give more than to take. I think these influences are very similar to the practice of sustainability.

Tell us about the Hydration Games, a campuswide competition in the colleges to reduce water.
The Hydration Games was a really fun project to do since I have never done anything campus wide! It also took a lot of time and outreach to make it work, and I think that is where my team and I lacked. The 7 of us were unable to spread awareness about water conservation as well as we had hoped. Other factors that didn’t give us the results that we had wanted could also have been due to the Carbon Neutrality project UC-wide that also sprang up during our Hydration Games.

Any similar events you're looking forward to this year?
Yes! We are promoting Zero Waste this quarter! To do so, we are going to be tabling during college nights and sending emails and a survey that we are working on to get a good idea of how aware our residents are about their waste contribution.

What’s your favorite thing about being an SSA?
My favorite thing about being an SSA is the experience. I have learned so much more about the “real world” than I do in a chemistry and biology class. We have guest speakers who are chemists and biologists working in the fields of sustainability. They express their passion for what they do, and it amazes me every time I listen. I am inspired by what they do and how they do what they do every time. Kinda makes me unsure about my future, but I mean, I do know now that I hope to find a career that I am extremely passionate about like them.

Have you had a favorite sustainability moment at UCSC?
You know, I think UCSC itself is a sustainability moment. Ever since coming here, I have adapted to the lifestyle of this campus, such as recycling pretty much everything, bringing reusable bags to the stores, and bringing my own reusable water bottle. Coming from a place where sustainability is a choice (SoCal) to a place where sustainability is a lifestyle (Santa Cruz), it’s quite amazing!