Category: Community

Do Environmental Justice Research this Summer in Chicago (and Earn Credit @RooseveltU)

Now until Friday, April 18, 2025 — Applications are open for RU’s new Summer 2025 Community-based Research & Environmental Justice course. RU’s Office of Student Research and Department of Law, Society, & Sustainability will support 8-10 undergrad students in a field-based 3-credit EXL research course with full tuition funding plus a small stipend for travel. That’s a pretty awesome deal for Roosevelt students seeking a gen ed, EXL, or elective class!

This hybrid course, cross-listed as POS / SOC / SUST 262, will meet on selected Fridays (9:30am-1pm) and online from June 6 – Aug 1.  And if students want to take an additional course this summer to accelerate their degree completion, they can do a “two-fer” and earn 6 credits for the cost of 3.

Our community partner this summer is the Southeast Environmental Task Force (SETF), a grassroots organization on Chicago’s Southeast Side that has advocated since the 1980s for both people and nature. SETF’s current sustainability initiatives and environmental activism focus on climate and environmental justice, pollution reduction, clean energy policy, sustainable land use, public health protection, and more.

  • Deadline: Application review begins April 11; final deadline is April 18.
  • Eligibility: Current RU undergraduates in any major; at least 15 credit hours completed at the time of application, including earning a C or better in ENG 102; minimum GPA of 2.0 overall (2.5 preferred).
  • Course Info: 3 credit hours of either POS, SOC, or SUST 262 Environmental Justice; counts as social science and EXL credit for CORE general education requirements as well as a major elective for POS, SOC, & SUST majors.
  • How to Apply: Just go to the OSR website for more info; use this direct link to the application; or scan the QR code to the right.

For more info: email Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), Chair of the Dept. of Law, Society, & Sustainability; or Dr. Laura Nussbaum-Barberena (osr@roosevelt.edu), Director of the Office of Student Research

 

Apply for RU’s Community-based Research & Environmental Justice Course this Summer

This summer of 2025, Roosevelt’s Office of Student Research and Department of Law, Society, & Sustainability will support 8-10 undergraduate students in a Community-based Research and Environmental Justice experience (CREJ). A cohort-based summer research course based here in Chicago, this competitive fellowship includes tuition funding for a 3-credit EXL/research-focused urban sustainability and environmental justice course on selected Fridays (9:30am-1pm) from June 6 through August 1 during RU’s 8-week summer session. In addition to a tuition waiver for the course, students will receive a small stipend to help defray travel costs from RU’s Chicago Campus to our community organization partner. You can . . .

During this summer’s Community-based Research and Environmental Justice course, undergraduate students will participate in a hands-on and field-based introduction to urban sustainability and selected research and analytic methods in the humanities and social sciences. Students will gain experience doing community-based research (CBR) in collaboration with the Southeast Environmental Task Force (SETF), one of Chicago’s oldest grassroots conservation and environmental justice organizations. In addition, they will synthesize their findings and have opportunities to present their work at events such as Roosevelt’s annual Student Research and Inquiry Symposium (RSRIS).

Based in the Hegewisch neighborhood on Chicago’s Southeast Side, the Southeast Environmental Task Force has advocated since the 1980s for the people and ecosystems of the culturally and biologically diverse Calumet industrial region that spans Chicago’s far South Side, near south suburbs, and communities of northwest Indiana. SETF’s current initiatives and activism include several key issues within urban sustainability: climate and environmental justice advocacy; pollution reduction; clean energy policy; land use and sustainable development; green space conservation; and public health.

Industry on the Calumet River, Chicago IL (photo: M. Bryson)

Student applicants may be from any major and should have completed at least 15 hours of college credit; have earned a C or better in ENG 102; and have an interest in learning about community-based research, urban sustainability, and/or environmental justice.

Eligibility

  • Current Roosevelt University undergraduate student in any college or major (except those graduating in May 2025)
  • At least 15 credit hours completed at the time of application, including earning a C or better in ENG 102 (or, if currently taking ENG 102 this spring, a recommendation from the instructor is required)
  • GPA of at least 2.0 overall (2.5 minimum preferred)
  • Interest in learning about urban sustainability, doing applied research in the humanities and/or social sciences, working collaboratively with a local environmental organization, and exploring the neighborhoods, natural areas, and industrial landscape of Chicago’s historic Southeast Side

Fellowship Requirements and Benefits

  • Participate in an 8-week interdisciplinary hybrid seminar on selected Fridays 9:30am-1pm and online on Blackboard from June 6 through Aug 1. Class meetings will be at RU’s Chicago Campus and at selected field locations on Chicago’s Southeast Side. Online work is required in addition to the scheduled class and field trip sessions.
  • Work effectively as individuals, in small teams, and in collaboration with our community-based organization partner (the Southeast Environmental Task Force).
  • Earn 3 EXL course credits toward graduation (SUST / SOC / POS 262 Environmental Justice).
  • Gain first-hand knowledge of the remarkable people, industrial sites, and natural areas of a truly unique area of Chicago.

Application Info

Apply here for the Community-based Research and Environmental Justice Course Fellowship (application review begins April 11th, final deadline to submit April 18th, 2025). Or, go directly to the link below or use the QR code:

https://tinyurl.com/76ncv6ub

Students do not need to register for the course. All students will be notified about their application status once applications are reviewed. Students accepted to the CREJ program will be registered for the course by the Office of Student Research and at that time, tuition will be paid by the OSR. 

For questions or more information, please contact:

  • Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), SUST Professor and Chair of the Department of Law, Society, & Sustainability
  • Laura Nussbaum-Barberena (lnussbaumbarberena@roosevelt.edu), Director of the Office of Student Research and the Policy Research Collaborative

For an informational flier, click here (pdf)

Attend Social Justice Day @RooseveltU this Th 3/13

 

Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Roosevelt University
10 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.

430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605
Ganz Hall, 7th Floor

Social Justice Day Moderator:
Natasha L. Robinson, JD, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator

Social Justice Day 2025 features a panel discussion of the Chicago Future Fund and the annual Matthew Freeman Lecture. The Chicago Future Fund panel features the work of two distinguished RU Sociology alumni: Richard Wallace, founder of the Equity and Transformation (EAT) community organization; and Dr. Ashley Baber, professor of Sociology at Augsburg University. Rounding out the panel are Rachel Pyon, research director of Equity and Transformation (EAT), and Deon Hodrick, a participant in the Chicago Future Fund.

Mr. Wallace’s EAT organization launched a Universal Basic Income program, providing formerly incarcerated people $500 each month to help them transition back home. Dr. Baber conducted a one-year study of the program to assess the impact of the money on reducing recidivism rates (likelihood they commit a crime) and reducing homelessness among formerly incarcerated people. Both Richard and Ashley are great examples of what students can do with their sociology degree from Roosevelt University.

This year’s Matthew Freeman Lecture by RU alum Melanie K Hall will address the importance of centering social justice in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work toward building communities that share power. Throughout the day, attendees will participate in a series of community building activities; a Q&A session; book signing for 2025 lecturer Melanie K. Hall’s new book Change Your Words to Change Your World: A Guide to Breaking Dysfunctional Patterns of Communication in Marriage, Relationships and the Workplace; and the “Pizza with a Purpose” reception.

This Social Justice Day celebrates our 80th Anniversary. Roosevelt University was born in 1945 when a visionary leader and 62 faculty members had the guts to go against the norms of exclusion in favor of inclusion. They went against the discriminatory practices of higher education in 1945. When asked to limit access because of race, religion and gender, they simply said, “We don’t count that way.” Our history is grounded in courage, acceptance, and a commitment to social justice.

Event Hosts: College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; Mansfield Institute of Social Justice; and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Co-sponsor: The DEI Advisory Council Leadership Team

For more information, contact Natasha Robinson.

Light refreshments will be served.

 

Schaumburg IL Seeks Sustainability Planner (Position Announcement)

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF: Sustainability Planner (Community Development), VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG, IL

Human Resources Department
101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL 60193
http://www.schaumburg.com/

The Village of Schaumburg is a thriving community of 78,723 residents located 11 miles west of O’Hare International Airport and approximately 26 miles northwest of Chicago. Not only is Schaumburg the twelfth-largest community in the State of Illinois, but it is also home to the second-largest concentration of retail, office, and commercial activity. Notable village distinctions include being rated as an excellent or good place to live by 95% of respondents in the National Community Survey; having multiple highly-awarded and accredited departments; and being recognized as a Better Business Town by The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.

The village employs approximately 600 employees in 12 departments, including police, fire, engineering and public works, communications, community development, cultural services, economic development, finance, general government, human resources, information technology, and transportation. Our employees work to serve the residents and strive to make Schaumburg the best community it can be.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  Interviews will be conducted as applications are received.  This position will remain open until filled.

STARTING SALARY RANGE:  $80,997.44 – $99,225.94 annually dependent on qualifications. The salary range for this position is $80,997.44 – $117,454.44.

Please attach as part of your application all necessary documents verifying that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position performs administrative and management responsibilities for the implementation of the village’s sustainability initiatives, plans, and programs; provides technical advice and assistance to other staff, departments, boards, and commissions related to sustainability initiatives, and manages and coordinates the farmers market.; The position also performs analysis of and reports about development proposals, acts as case manager/lead planner to assist developers through the zoning approvals/entitlement process;  researches and prepares code amendments; and administers other special projects.  May be eligible for flexible schedule/hybrid work options.  The ideal candidate will need to effectively communicate to a full range of people, organize time and prioritize responsibilities with accuracy.  We are looking to add a team member capable of remaining calm and professional under pressure and has the  functional skills to do the job at a high level.

JOB DUTIES:

1.    Manages development review projects and prepares written recommendations regarding development proposals including but not limited to, Development Plan Approvals/Amendments, Planned Unit Developments, Re-zoning proposals, Special Use requests, Variations, Teardowns, FAR Credits, and Plats requiring review by the Village Board, Plan Commission, or Zoning Board of Appeals.
2.    Schedules and presents at public hearings before the Zoning Board of Appeals, Plan Commission, and various village standing committees for development review projects and code amendments.
3.    Researches, creates and administers programs and projects that serve to achieve the goals stated in the Comprehensive Green Action Plan.  Monitors and prepares reports on the status of the Comprehensive Green Action Plan and other sustainability goals and presents them to village committees, boards, and commissions.
4.    Serves as the village’s main point of contact on sustainability issues.  Manages the Green Team; a multi-disciplinary team comprised of staff from all village departments; sets annual corporate goals to further the implementation of the Comprehensive Green Action Plan.
5.    Prepares outreach and promotion of the Comprehensive Green Action Plan and other sustainability projects and initiatives through the village website, village media, and various outside media outlets.
6.    Manages Farmers Market including the coordination of a seasonal intern that staffs the village booth.  Organizes and coordinates vendor participation, advertising campaign, entertainment schedule, special event days, annual booth fee rates, and collection of vendor booth fees.   Reviews contracts and invoices from performers and advertising vendors.  Prepares and recommends budget requests for advertising, entertainment, and materials needed for the Farmers’ Market to the Department Director.
7.    Serves as staff liaison to the Environmental Committee; prepares annual work plan and assists the Committee in promoting and implementing their programs such as Annual Recycling Events, Environmental Fair, and Award Programs.  Prepares and recommends budget requests to the Department Director.
8.    Administers the Annual Landscape and Environmental Award Programs; coordinates nominees and presents nominations to the Environmental Committee and village standing committee.
9.    Represents the Village of Schaumburg in a professional manner in dealings with other agencies, special interest groups, and the public, including serving on various regional and Village committees related to sustainability and the environment.
10.    Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.    Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, environmental or sustainability planning, landscape architecture, architecture, or related field.
2.    A minimum of three years of experience in planning.
3.    Experience in the sustainability field working on the implementation of sustainable environmental programs.
4.    Proficiency with current computer technology, job-specific software, and customer service systems.

BENEFITS:

The Village of Schaumburg has a competitive benefit package which includes: flexible benefit Section 125 plan including health, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a retirement plan through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, tuition reimbursement, and more.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Candidate screening process may consist of an application review, skills testing, employability assessment, interviews, reference checks, and other job-related testing or verifications.  Chosen candidates will be subject to a background and criminal history investigation, and qualifying pre-employment medical examination and drug screen (including cannabis).

Application Deadline Extended to 3/27 for the 2023 FACE Program Summer Fellowship @RU

The Mansfield Institute’s Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement (FACE) program will support 15 undergraduate Fellows over Summer 2023. This cohort-based summer fellowship includes funding for a 3-credit Social Justice in Action internship-based course in May 2022. In addition to tuition for this course, Fellows will receive a stipend of $2,500.

Following their course work in late May, Fellows will work in a social justice–focused community-based organization in or around Chicago for 9 weeks (11 hours/week) over the summer starting in early June. Fellows will have an opportunity to meet and work with past Fellows, attend University events together, and potentially present work at conferences. Applicants should have sophomore or junior standing with an interest in social justice and at least a 2.0 GPA (see below). Students receive a $2,500 stipend and 3 credits tuition-free for this experiential social justice-focused, cohort-based Fellowship.

New Deadline: Apply for the Fellowship by March 27, 2023

Eligibility

  • Open to all Roosevelt University students in any college or major
  • Students must have between 45 and 72 credit hours completed on March 13, 2023 (sophomore or junior standing)
  • GPA of at least a 2.0
  • Have an interest in Social Justice

What Fellows Can Expect To Do

  • Work with program faculty to select and secure a paid summer internship
  • Participate in a 3-full day seminar at the end of May 2023
  • Work in a community-based organization (100 hours over the summer)
  • Develop networks and build friendships
  • Earn $2500 and 3 credits toward graduation

Application Info

Apply here for the Mansfield Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement (new deadline is March 27th, 2023)

Campus Sustainability Planning Workshop Next Week on Tue 11/1 & Wed 11/2: Goals & Initiatives for RU

Planning Workshop 2: Sustainability Goals & Initiatives – This second round of RU Strategic Sustainability Planning interactive workshops will review and analyze past goals, projects, and accomplishments; and then strategize and prioritize new campus sustainability goals and initiatives for 2023-28.

All RU community members are invited to participate in either one of these identical sessions, whichever best fits your schedule. Light food refreshments will be provided; just bring your own beverage!

  • Tue 11/1 from 12:00-1:30pm CST in AUD 720 and Zoom
  • Wed 11/2 from 5:00-6:30pm CST in AUD 720 and Zoom

Previous Events

Planning Workshop 1: Sustainability @RU Crash Course – This first round of RU Strategic Sustainability planning workshops was designed to get participants up to speed on what sustainability is, why it’s important, and what we can do to make a change at RU. If you’re wondering what sustainability entails at RU, this is a great place to start!

  • Tue 10/11 from 12:30-1:30pm CST  in AUD 720 and online (Zoom recording)
  • Wed 10/12 from 6:30-7:30pm CST online (Zoom recording)
  • Slide presentation from Workshop 1 (pdf)

RU’s 2022 American Dream Reconsidered Conference — Panelists Yessenia Balcazar (BA ’17 alum), Kiera Carpenter (BA ’24), and Dan Lyvers (BA ’21 alum) of the Sustainability Studies Program @RooseveltU were featured in the Oct. 18 Tuesday online discussion at 7pm CST on the topic, “Is the American Dream Sustainable?” with a special focus on Chicago as a city. The panel was recorded live on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Useful Resources on Campus Sustainability @RU

Detailed Zoom Info for Workshop 2 Sessions

Topic: Sustainability Planning Workshop 2A (Tue 11/1 session)
Time: Nov 1, 2022 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/94697760195

Meeting ID: 946 9776 0195

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Meeting ID: 946 9776 0195
Find your local number: https://roosevelt.zoom.us/u/adJBXkM143

Topic: Sustainability Planning Workshop 2B (Wed 11/2 session)
Time: Nov 2, 2022 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/93253117596

Meeting ID: 932 5311 7596

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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 932 5311 7596
Find your local number: https://roosevelt.zoom.us/u/ahx56GVaA

Please RSVP for events and/or submit any questions, ideas, or suggestions to Dr. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), SUST 350 Instructor and Professor of Sustainability Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, Roosevelt University. Additional contact info here. Be sure to check the RU Strategic Sustainability Planning webpage for updates!

Apply for the Mansfield’s 2022 Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement (thru 3/2/22)

The Mansfield Institute Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement (FACE) will fund a second cohort of 15 Roosevelt University undergraduate students from any college or discipline. The cohort-based summer fellowship includes funding for a 3-credit Social Justice in Action internship-based course in May 2022. In addition to tuition, fellows will receive a stipend of $2,500.

Following their course work in late May, Fellows will work in a social justice–focused community-based organization in Chicago for 10 hours per week, for 10 weeks over the summer starting in early June. Fellows will have an opportunity to work with past Fellows, attend University events together, and have opportunities to present work at conferences.

Eligibility:

  • Open to all Roosevelt University undergraduate students in any college or major
  • Students must have between 45 and 72 credit hours completed on March 2, 2022
  • GPA of at least a 2.0
  • Be able to participate fully in fellowship activities including course work, internship work, and ongoing cohort activities throughout the year

Deadlines:

  • The application process opens on February 1 and closes on March 2, 2022.
  • Applicants will be notified by March 16, 2022.

To apply, visit the Mansfield Institute Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement (FACE) webpage. For questions or more information, please contact Prof. Heather Dalmage (hdalmage@roosevelt.edu), Director of the Mansfield Institute.

Mansfield Institute Kickoff Event on 2/1: Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement

Join Roosevelt’s Mansfield Institute on 2/1/22 to recognize our current Fellows for Activism and Community Engagement and community partners. Attendees will hear about the program experience of current fellows, learn about the 2022 program, and meet our community partners. Register here! All Roosevelt students from any college or major with at least 45 credits are eligible to apply for the fellowship program. The selected 2022 fellows will take part in the Social Justice in Action internship-based course, a three-day seminar, and work with a social justice-focused, community-based organization for which they will receive a summer stipend. For more information, contact Prof. Heather Dalmage, Director of the Mansfield Institute (hdalmage@roosevelt.edu).

Eden Place Founder Michael Howard Addresses the Resilience Studies Consortium on Environmental Justice

Mr. Michael Howard, CEO and co-founder of Eden Place Farms and Nature Center in Chicago IL, will address the Roosevelt and Resilience Studies Consortium (RSC) communities on Tuesday, 26 Oct 2021, at 11am CST on the topic of “Sustaining Environmental Justice in a Pandemic.” Please join the faculty and students of SUST 350 Service & Sustainability at Roosevelt University and ENVS 397 Environmental Justice at Western Colorado University as they host Mr. Howard’s virtual presentation and a Q&A session. This presentation is made possible by the generous funding of the RSC — thank you!

Michael Howard’s life passion is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Fuller Park community on Chicago’s South Side, both financially and environmentally. As Founder and CEO of the Fuller Park Community Development (FPCD) organization in the 1990s, he has worked to address housing, education, and environmental issues that have kept this generally African American and low-income community in poverty and disrepair.

In the late 1990s, Michael and his wife Amelia Howard led the effort to clean up a three-acre vacant lot near their Fuller Park residence that was piled two stories high with illegally dumped waste. With help from many in the community, the site was cleared of debris and restored into a thriving green space called Eden Place — still the only nature center on the entire South Side of Chicago. In the early 2010s, Eden Place opened its farm operation about a half-mile south of the nature center. They host community events, market their produce to local restaurants and farmers markets, and provide ecology, urban farming, and nutrition workshops to citizens of Fuller Park and beyond.

Since 2014, students in Roosevelt University’s SUST 350 Service & Sustainability class have volunteered one morning a week in a multi-year service project at Eden Place, helping with farm chores, repairing and painting structures, building trails, planting and harvesting crops, and organizing events to support the organization’s mission. In return, Eden Place has taught them much about the process and importance of community organizing, the rigors of urban environmental conservation and farming, and the challenges of fostering sustainability and community resilience in this era of social and economic stress.

Zoom Login Info:

Topic: Michael Howard on Environmental Justice for RSC
Time: Oct 26, 2021 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/97714968242
Meeting ID: 977 1496 8242

For More Information:

Contact Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), Professor & Director of Sustainability Studies, Roosevelt University

The Resilience Studies Consortium, of which Roosevelt is a charter member, is a network of small liberal arts Institutions dedicated to sustainability and community resilience, place-based educational experiences, and shared academic and co-curricular offerings in ways that empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.