Category: Events

Get Ready for Earth Month 2025 @RooseveltU!

Spring is officially in bloom and April 1st is right around the corner here at Roosevelt University, and you know what that means: it’s the return of Earth Month here in 2025. No foolin’! The earth is not getting much love these days (to put it mildly), so there’s never been a more critical time to reconnect with the natural world, learn more about environmentally-friendly practices (like composting and seed-bombing), and build a more sustainable community upon a foundation of environmental justice and stewardship.

This April, whether you’re on or off campus — from attending talks and webinars by invited speakers to hearing research presentations by current students to joining in the student org RU Green’s activities and community service work — you can participate in and contribute to the sustainability of our university. “How?” you ask. Keep reading!

Tues 4/1 12:20-1:20pm (common hour) — Grand Opening of the new RU Mental Health Garden We are kicking off Earth Month in serious fashion with the introduction of Roosevelt’s new indoor Mental Health Garden! The grand opening event will feature mindfulness exercises, coloring, and the opportunity to plant your own seeds. The space is located past the Learning Commons in the Quiet Study Zone of the Library. Check out the space to learn more about how to contribute to this community garden. All are welcome! And yeah, there’ll be snacks and treats. (RU Library, AUD 10th floor)

All Month — Participate in the Earth Month 2025 EcoChallenge competition (students vs faculty/admin/staff) – Join this undeniably competitive yet somehow thoughtfully meditative tradition of RU students vs everyone else as you engage in and document your sustainability-related activities during Earth Month — and hopefully de-stress a bit while lowering your carbon footprint. Stay tuned on how to sign up (it’s free) for either the RU Faculty/Staff/Admin Team or the RU Student Team. Yes, it’s online and requires the use of a Device. But if you’re using your phone-thing anyway, why not stop looking at silly cat videos for just a sec and do something more mindful and earthwise? Winners get bragging rights for the rest of the year! Ahem . . . like the students did back in 2019 when they soundly trounced the faculty.

Now until Fri 4/18 — Applications Open for RU’s Summer 2025 Community-based Research & Environmental Justice Course. RU’s Office of Student Research and Dept. of Law, Society, & Sustainability will support 8-10 undergrad students in a Community-based Research and Environmental Justice (CREJ) research course this summer 2025. This field-based 3-credit EXL hybrid research course includes full tuition funding plus a small stipend for travel and meets on selected Fridays (9:30am-1pm) and online from June 6 – Aug 1. That’s pretty awesome!

  • 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).
  • How to Apply: Just go to the OSR website for more info and a link to the application. Application review begins April 11; final deadline is April 18, 2025.
  • For more info: email Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu) or Dr. Laura Nussbaum-Barberena (osr@roosevelt.edu)

Earth Day/Week/Month Service Opportunities & Events throughout Chicagoland, sponsored by the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) and other organizations. Check out the many events listed here in the city by C3 as well as these by Friends of the Parks. Also see this article by Block Club Chicago, 12 Things To Do Outside in Chicago this April. Beyond the city limits, look up your county’s Forest Preserve event calendar for April for service and conservation opportunities (e.g., Cook, Will, etc.). Help clean up parklands, restore natural areas, and meet conservation-minded and nature loving sustainability nerds from across the city. Fun and rewarding in a deeply spiritual and dirt-under-your-nails kind of way!

Mon 4/7 thru Fri 4/11 — Spring 2025 Roosevelt Student Research and Inquiry Symposium: a week-long extended week celebration of student research & inquiry at Roosevelt’s campuses: Schaumburg (April 4th) & Chicago (April 7-11)! F inquiry at Roosevelt’s campuses: Schaumburg (April 4th) & Chicago (April 7-11)! For more info, check out the RSRIS website. Tons of great stuff here, folks!

Tue 4/8, 2:30-4:30pm — “The Future of Sustainability at Roosevelt: an Earth Month Teach-In (AUD 514): Join the students in Prof. Mike Bryson’s SUST 250 honors seminar as they present their “Analysis of RU’s Peer Institutions and Recommendations on Implementing the 2024-29 Strategic Sustainability Plan.” This session is a good old-fashioned “Teach-In” that features a tag-team group presentation followed by a participatory campus sustainability workshop to get our audience involved and engaged. Learn how Roosevelt’s green efforts stack up against its peer institutions here in the Chicago region, and strategize how we can move RU’s 2024-29 Strategic Sustainability Plan forward while advocating for social and environmental justice and maintaining hope and courage in these tumultuous and discouraging times.

Fri 4/18, 12-4pm – Green-up / Clean-up Event: We are pleased to announce this year’s Green Up / Clean Up event on both campuses, immediately following University Senate. You and your colleagues are invited to connect, collaborate and clean out your office spaces. Details are forthcoming about special services and activities, but wear your Roosevelt green, grab some bev and a snack and get ready for some spring cleaning! Details to come.

Mon 4/21 — Composting and Recycling Seminar. Aren’t sure what bin to use when you’re cleaning up after lunch? This is the event for you! (time/location TBA)

Tues 4/22  — Earth Day! 

  • 12:20-1:10pm Common Hour: Make your own Seed-Bomb at the new RU Mental Health Garden (AUD Library, 10th floor)
  • All day: Get outside! Take a walk . . . get some fresh air . . . listen to birdsong . . . pick up some litter . . . join an environmental demonstration . . . learn about the original Earth Day . . . do some gardening or start a nice little compost pile (you get the idea)

Th 4/24 — Drag Trash Competition and Show. This will be a historic first at Roosevelt, and if we may say so, long overdue! (details coming soon; time/room TBA)

Fri 4/25 — Earth Week Beach Clean-Up with RU Green & the Captain Paul Watson Foundation’s IL Chapter. Come join RU Green & CPWF for a service project along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront. Look for details here and on Laker Connect.

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Tues 4/29 2-4:30pm — Community service activity with students from SUST 250 Sustainable University (more info soon)

Stay tuned to the SUST @ RU Blog’s Earth Month 2025 page for updates!

Last update: 3/30/25

Today Is World Water Day (22 March 2025)

In recognition of World Water Day, celebrated every March 22nd by the United Nations and hundreds of organizations across the globe, here is information about this year’s water theme, “Save Our Glaciers,” from the UN’s World Water Day website.

World Water Day 2025: Save Our Glaciers
Source: United Nations

Glacier preservation

Glaciers are melting faster than ever. As the planet gets hotter, our frozen world is shrinking, making the water cycle more unpredictable. For billions of people, meltwater flows are changing, causing floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise. Countless communities and ecosystems are at risk of devastation.

As we work together to mitigate and adapt to climate change, glacier preservation is a top priority. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow down glacial retreat. And, we must manage meltwater more sustainably. Saving our glaciers is a survival strategy for people and the planet.

Protecting frozen water resources for the future

The theme of World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’. Glaciers are critical to life – their meltwater is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. Rapidly melting glaciers are causing uncertainty to water flows, with profound impacts on people and the planet. Global reductions in carbon emissions and local strategies to adapt to shrinking glaciers are essential.

This World Water Day, we must work together to put glacier preservation at the core of our plans to tackle climate change and the global water crisis.

Play your part!

Be part of the global campaign on ‘Glacier Preservation’. We need everyone – from individuals and families to companies and governments – to do what they can to reduce global warming and adapt to shrinking glaciers. Spread the word with the UN- Water material!

Key messages for World Water Day 2025

  • Glaciers are melting faster than ever. As the planet gets hotter due to climate change, our frozen world is shrinking, making the water cycle more unpredictable and extreme.
  • Glacial retreat threatens devastation. For billions of people, meltwater flows are changing, causing floods, droughts, landslides and sea level rise, and damaging ecosystems.
  • Glacier preservation is a survival strategy. We must work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and manage meltwater more sustainably for people and the planet.

Source (and for more information): https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day

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.

 

RU Green Meeting Today 10/7 at 4:30pm

RU Green student organization logoRoosevelt’s student environmental sustainability club RU Green meets *today* Mon 10/7 from 4:30-6pm in room WB 418 at the Chicago Campus.

All RU students are welcome and encouraged to attend!

RU Green’s Mission

RU Green strives to embody Roosevelt’s social justice mission by taking action at the university and around Chicago to help folks understand how various environmental issues can impact their lives. We want to show people how they personally can live in a more sustainable way, advocate for their government and major corporations to do better, and learn and educate themselves/others about the issues our planet and population faces.

RU Green understands the importance of centering any conversation about sustainability around Indigenous peoples, as well as Black, Brown, disabled, and low-income communities since they have been leaders of the climate justice movement, as well as are the most affected by injustices. Climate justice will not be possible without active work to undo the effects of environmental racism and marginalization.

Contact Information

rugreenclub45@gmail.com

Candidate Presentations for RU Criminal Justice Faculty Position this Week

All RU students, faculty, admin, and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend the teaching presentations this Wed 7/10 and Th 7/11 by candidates for the Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice faculty position in the Dept of Law, Society, & Sustainability (LSS). Both sessions will take place in person at the Chicago Campus as well as on Zoom. After each presentation there will be a substantial amount of time for Q & A with the audience.

Wed 7/10 at 10:30-11:45am – Dr. Anne Kirkner: “Care as Control: The Intersection of Violence Against Women & the State,” WB 1214 & Zoom (https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/94813812788). Dr. Kirkner’s curriculum vitae is available here (pdf).

Th 7/11 at 11:15am-12:30pm – Dr. Faraneh Shamserad: “Measures of Variability,” WB 609 & Zoom (https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/93248609914). Dr. Shamserad’s curriculum vitae is available here (pdf).

Hope to see you there!

For questions or more information, please contact Prof. Mike Bryson, Chair of the LSS Dept (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), and/or Prof. LaDonna Long, Director of Criminal Justice and Assoc Chair of the LSS Dept (llong@roosevelt.edu) in the College of Humanities, Education, & Social Science.

Earth Month 2024 @RooseveltU: Get Involved, Have Fun, & Go Green!

This April is #RUEarthMonth2024, and there are lots of ways to go green here at Roosevelt. Whether you’re on or off campus — from attending talks and webinars by invited speakers to hearing presentations by current students to joining in the student org RU Green’s activities and community service work — you can participate in and contribute to the sustainability of our campus community.

SUST 395 Internship Presentations: As part of the annual Roosevelt Student Research & Inquiry Symposium, three Sustainability Internship students completing SUST 395 internships this spring 2024 semester at the Field Museum’s botany department (Daniel Dodinval and Kenny Koster) and the Southeast Environmental Task Force (Kristina Gillespie) gave oral presentations last Th 4/11 to the RU community on their research projects and community engagement activities. Check out the Zoom recording of their talks here!

All Week 4/15-19 — Student Mental Health Referendum Vote: All students have the chance to vote on a Mental Health Referendum for the RU student body. Below is an infographic about the issue and referendum. SGA is holding a Referendum Info Session on Zoom on Tu 4/16 at 2pm.

Mon 4/15 5-6pm — Earth Month Clean-Up with RU Green & the Black Student Union: Come join RU Green & BSU for a service project in recognition of Earth Month. We will be beautifying the area surrounding our campus by picking up trash. All supplies will be provided. Meet in WB Lobby by 5pm. RSVP and event details here on Laker Connect.

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Tues 4/16 12:30-1:45pm — SUST 210/250 Sustainability Teach-In Presentations: Join the students of SUST 210 Sustainable Future and SUST 250 The Sustainable University as three student teams present their projects on vital sustainability issues of the day (food, consumption, and waste). Attend live in WB 616 or virtually by Zoom. Email Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu) for more info.

Tues 4/16 2pm — Virtual Tour of the MWRD’s Famous “Deep Tunnel”: one and all are invited to attend a free live virtual tour of the Chicago region’s water infrastructure and history on Tuesday, April 16 at 2 p.m. Travel back in time to early Chicago to see how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology. Go behind the scenes and under water to see how we transform the water you use every day; descend 300 feet into the deep tunnel system, and watch our electrofishing crew at work sampling fish on the Chicago River. See goats and sheep at work maintaining native prairie landscaping! (Yes, you read that right.) To register, click here.

Thur 4/18 12:30-1:45pm — SUST 210/250 Sustainability Teach-In Presentations: Join the students of SUST 210 Sustainable Future and SUST 250 The Sustainable University as four student teams present their projects on vital sustainability issues of the day (athletics, energy, transportation, and water). Attend live in WB 616 or virtually by Zoom. Email Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu) for more info.

Thur 4/18 & Sun 4/21 — WeDigBio Citizen Science at the Field Museum: Be a part of a global effort to digitize centuries of data about life on Earth! Organisms may include ferns, fungi, mosses, lichens, insects, and mammals. Participants will have an opportunity to meet scientists and join in behind-the-scenes tours or talks about the significance of the scientific collections. WeDigBio will be held in-person at the Field Museum on 4/18 and 4/21, from 9:30am to 1pm. For more info and to register for this event, please click here.

Fri 4/19 after Senate 12-4pm – Green-up / Clean-up Event: Immediately following University Senate, RU faculty and staff are invited to connect, collaborate and clean out office spaces. Details are forthcoming about special services and activities, but wear your Roosevelt green, grab some coffee and a snack and get ready for some spring cleaning! Details here on Inside RU.

Sat 4/20 thru Mon 4/22 — Earth Day Service Opportunities & Events throughout Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) and other organizations. Check out the many events listed here by C3 as well as these by the Cook County Forest Preserves. Help clean up parklands, restore natural areas, and meet conservation-minded and nature loving sustainability nerds from across the city. Fun and rewarding in a deeply spiritual and dirt-under-your-nails kind of way!

Wed 4/24 6-7pm CST — RU Students Explore the “Democracy of Place”: Join RU students as they engage other students from across the US in an online discussion about the present and future state of democracy. Led by students of the Resilience Studies Consortium, this interactive conversation will explore the importance of place, public spaces, sustainability, community resilience, and more. Zoom link: https://western.zoom.us/j/92506664532

Not enough stuff to choose from? Keep checking this page and the SUST @ RU blog for more updates about great Earth Month 2024 events and activities. And don’t forget to get outside!

Updated 4/13/24

Learn about the Race to Save America’s Whale on 4/1

Kick off Earth Month 2024 here at Roosevelt by attending this biodiversity and marine conservation event about the highly imperiled Rice’s Whale, which lives in the Gulf of Mexico. Join whale expert John Ososky, formerly of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, for a presentation and discussion about this whale, marine conservation, and biodiversity. Co-sponsored by RU Green and the STEM Center. Time/Place: Monday 4/1, 2:30-4pm, WB 418 and remotely via Zoom (https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/5370188300) RU students, faculty, and staff can RSVP here on Laker Connect. For more info, please email rugreenclub45@gmail.com

American Dream Reconsidered Conference @RU (Oct 16-19)

Theme: Mind, Body and the American Dream

Mind and body are such fundamental concepts that we often take them for granted, but recent events have served as a reminder of how central they are to the American Dream. For example, the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade served as a stark example about the body itself as a site of political contestation. Roosevelt University is uniquely suited to explore this theme. As an educational institution, one of the University’s central missions is promoting and celebrating the life of the mind.
The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt is centrally focused on education that brings together mind and body in music, theater, and dance. In addition, as a participant in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and potentially Division II of the National Association of Collegiate Athletics (NCAA), the University is home to more than two dozen sports teams that encourage students to hone their physical development.
Visit the 2023 Conference website for the schedule and info on speakers!

Heads up! Roosevelt University Business Career Fair (Fall 2023) is Tomorrow 9/26

Fall Career Fair 2023 @RU / College of Business

This fall’s College of Business Career Fair is open to all students and alumni. We have a great lineup of employers looking to hire for both internships and jobs. Come ready to meet with employers.

Meet us in Wabash on the 3rd & 4th floors between 1pm – 5pm. Below is the lineup of employers who will be in attendance. Make sure to go on Handshake to learn about the roles these companies are looking to hire for.

While at the fair, don’t forget to take advantage and get your FREE professional headshots. Stop by WB 324, inside the Office of Career Services, during the Business Career Fair tomorrow.

We look forward to seeing you there!

COB Career Fair Headshots