When we look to history, there is much to be learned about human rights. We may find that local and global movements were born from particular events — often traumatic, and with great political, health and environmental impacts. Can the past inspire change for the future through activism and advocacy?
Please join the Roosevelt University community for the Joseph Loundy Human Rights Project’s 2022 Symposium and Luncheon on Wed 11/30 from 11am to 1pm in WB 418 at RU’s Chicago Campus. Distinguished guest panelists will explore the intersection of history, health policy and environmental sustainability, and how each individually and collectively can promote human rights and social justice.
Students will also present work from three related courses in RU’s College of Arts & Sciences: Public Health Issues and Ideas, taught by professor La Vonne Downey; Service and Sustainability, led by professor Mike Bryson; and Transatlantic Perspectives: Representing History and Trauma, co-taught by professors Margaret Rung (RU) and Arnoud-Jan Bijsterveld (Tilburg University, the Netherlands).
Featured Distinguished Panelists:
Mike Beard, global health director for the Better World Campaign
Diana Sierra Becerra, assistant professor of history at University of Massachusetts Amhurst
Gina Ramirez, Midwest outreach leader for the Natural Resources Defense Council, board president of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, and RU alum (MA Sociology ’14)
The Environmental Sustainability Committee @RooseveltU has its next virtual meeting of the 2022-23 academic year tonight 11/16/22 from 7-8:30pm CST (Zoom info below). Everyone in the RU community — students, alumni, faculty, staff, admin, and trustees — is invited and encouraged to attend!
This important meeting will focus on (1) reviewing feedback from our two rounds of campus planning workshops as well as the ongoing surveys of current students and employees/alumni. In addition, we will start the process of (2) developing consensus on goals for the next five years and (3) prioritizing concrete initiatives that will achieve said goals. Please note: if you cannot make the meeting, you can still provide input via the above survey links as well as review the slides and notes from the meeting after they are posted.
The ESC is an open committee est. in 2010 that welcomes participation and encourages collaboration across colleges and departments from all members of the RU community: students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, trustees, and friends. Our key task this fall is updating our 2015-20 Strategic Sustainability Plan with assistance by students from Prof. Mike Bryson’s SUST 350 Service & Sustainability class.
Please see the Fall 2022 Campus Sustainability Planning webpage for notes, slides, and other updates and resources related to this effort. Your input, ideas, and perspectives are needed and valued! Also note that Roosevelt’s membership in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) provides anyone with an active RU email address full access to AASHE’s many useful online resources. Take advantage and avail yourself!
Questions? Email the ESC chair Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), professor & director of Sustainability Studies, chair of the Dept of Sociology & Sustainability, College of Arts & Sciences.
Zoom Info:
Topic: ESC Meeting 2022-11-16
Time: Nov 16, 2022 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
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Find your local number: https://roosevelt.zoom.us/u/aiUwMI3YZ
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
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)
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.
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!
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
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)
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.
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!
The Fall 2022 Diversity Career Fair is an event for employers, and students from all disciplines (ALL MAJORS) to connect regarding internships and jobs. All current Roosevelt University students and alumni are welcome. Will be held at the Chicago Campus on two floors (WB 3 and 4) with over 60+ employers. To view a listing of the employers who will be at the fair, check out the link: Employers coming to the Career Fair
Dress Code: business professional/ business casual; bring several copies of your resume with you.
Alumni, students, and faculty of the Sustainability Studies Program @RooseveltU are featured in the Oct. 18 Tuesday online panel discussion at 7pm CST on the topic, “Is the American Dream Sustainable?” with a special focus on Chicago as a city. The panel will be broadcast live on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube — links to those social media sites are below.
Is the American Dream Sustainable?
The science of urban ecology demonstrates that cities are not mere technological constructions, distinct from and diametrically opposed to nature, but complex ecosystems. As laboratories for sustainable innovation, such as green rooftops, cities offer a unique vantage point for re-imagining the sustainability of the American Dream. Using Chicago as a prime exemplar, our panel consisting of students and alumni will explore how urban sustainability advancements and environmental justice activism are redefining how we think about and work toward the American Dream.
Featured Panelists
Yesenia Balcazar (BA ’18) — Senior Resilient Community Planning Manager at the Southeast Environmental Task Force; MA in urban planning and policy (UIC ’21)
Dan Lyvers (BA ’21) — Chief Operating Engineer at the Stickney wastewater treatment plant (the world’s largest such facility), Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicagoland
All RU community members are invited to attend the first round of Fall 2022 strategic sustainability planning workshops this week! Led by students of SUST 350 Service & Sustainability and members of RU’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, the planning team seeks input, advice, and participation from every corner of the university in ensure an inclusive and thorough process.
These first workshops are primarily informational, but will include interactive discussion. RSVP to Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu) to attend and please spread the word!
Planning Workshop 1: Sustainability @RU Crash Course — Choose from two sessions in our first round of RU Strategic Sustainability planning meetings to get up to speed on what sustainability is, why it’s important, and what we can do to make a change at RU!
Tue 10/11 from 12:30-1:30pm in AUD 720 and on Zoom (see detailed login info below
Please 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.
This Fall 2022 semester, students and faculty in SUST 350 Service & Sustainability will work with Roosevelt’s Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) and members of the university community to update and revise our Strategic Sustainability Plan, originally adopted in 2015. We need your help and hope that as many RU folks as possible will contribute their ideas, advice, and expertise to this endeavor!
Sustainability at Roosevelt University is a constantly evolving and dynamic process grounded in the “Three Es” of Environment, Economy, and Equity. Our first sustainability plan was written to be a “living document” that is updated periodically to reflect on our progress and articulate new goals and initiatives. The updated plan will be organized along the comprehensive and internationally-recognized STARS campus sustainability guidelines and incorporate the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. By doing so, we will conceptually as well as concretely connect the local to the global.
RU’s sustainability efforts encompass the greening of buildings and campus operations; innovation and expansion of sustainability education and research opportunities for students, faculty, and staff; and most critically, the promotion of social and environmental justice within and beyond our campus. As noted by President Malekzadeh in his letter introducing Roosevelt’s first STARS sustainability assessment in December 2015, “The task of envisioning and creating a truly sustainable world is immense and complex. Colleges and universities are not only well suited to engage in this important work through innovation, education, and community engagement, they are obliged to do so” [emphasis added].
Our team of student researchers, in concert with the ESC, will engage in outreach efforts this fall to involve every segment of the RU community in this process, which is designed to be inclusive, participatory, and voluntary. We plan to host in-person and virtual workshops, info sessions, roundtable discussions, and other events to get ideas, feedback, and constructive criticism from students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and trustees about Roosevelt’s present challenges and its sustainable future. We hope you’ll join us in this endeavor!
SUST 250 Sustainable University students developed proposals for improving campus sustainability in Spring 2022
The updated strategic plan will set out a new five-year timeline of goals, initiatives, and recommendations designed to reduce RU’s ecological footprint, fulfill our mission of promoting social and environmental justice, address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, enhance our reputation as a sustainability innovator, and contribute to our long-term environmental and financial sustainability.
Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of planning info sessions, workshops, and other events! For questions or to make suggestions, please contact Dr. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu), Professor & Director of Sustainability Studies, Chair of the Dept. of Sociology & Sustainability, College of Arts & Sciences.
The Sustainability Studies Program @RooseveltU is hiring up to two undergraduate students to work as Sustainability Student Associates for the Fall 2022 semester. Information and application instructions for this position can be found on the RU Student Employment website: to apply, just login to the Handshake job posting system and upload your letter of interest, résumé, and writing sample. These positions are funded by the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program as well as Testa Produce; FWS and non-FWS eligible students are therefore welcome to apply.
The application deadline is Friday 9/02/22 and interviews will be conducted the following week via Zoom or in person. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. A cover letter, updated résumé, and writing sample (which can be a paper written for an RU class) are required for the application. Please note your FWS eligibility status in your cover letter.
Applicants should explain their interest in advancing campus sustainability as well as highlight their prior knowledge about and/or skills in relevant sustainability issues and practices (e.g., recycling, gardening, event planning, data analysis, student outreach, etc.)
Desired Majors: Sustainability Studies, Sociology, or Biology preferred; however, all majors will be considered.
Required Skills/Knowledge: Knowledge of and interest in sustainability; strong writing/editing skills; effective communication skills; dependability, strong work ethic, and ability to work independently.
Scope of Duties: These $17/hour student positions will work at the Chicago Campus as well as remotely to support the mission, pedagogy, and service work of the SUST Program at Roosevelt by the following (other duties as assigned):
developing & supporting campus sustainability projects in consultation with the program director, department faculty, operations and planning staff, and the RU Green student organization;
providing logistical and communication support for sustainability-related activities, events, and projects, both on- and off-campus;
supporting student experiential learning, recruitment, retention, & career development efforts;
serving as the primary student liaison between the SUST Program and the university community in the revision and advancement of RU’s 2015-2020 Strategic Sustainability Plan;
Student Associates will work closely with the SUST Program Director, Prof. Mike Bryson, and utilize the Roosevelt Urban Sustainability Lab at the Chicago Campus as their home base. Funding for the position is provided by federal work-study funds.
Please email Prof. Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu) for questions about the position or application process.
by Alyssa Spleha (BA ’22), Sustainability Student Associate 2021-22
The reports are in for Roosevelt University’s SUST 250 Sustainable University course and the results are astounding! Throughout the semester, SUST 250 students have been identifying and tackling some of RU’s sustainability weak spots. Broken up into five teams, the class focused on the athletics department, dining center, student orientation, general waste, and sustainability leadership. Through conducting research and consulting students, faculty, and staff, each team found solutions to major problems, all of which include substantial cost-saving measures.
The Athletics Team tackled four main areas within the department: replacing disposable water cups with reusable water bottles, assessing choices for ethical sourcing of non-game day wear, donating used gear, and conducting future materials audits. By switching to reusable water bottles, the athletics department could save $204-352 per year and reduce their waste immensely. In addition, the team found that by donating old gear, the university could write that value off on its taxes.
The Food and Dining Team focused on reducing dining center waste and explored the option of reusable dining ware. One of the main issues they identified was the lack of labeling on the disposable dining ware as well as the lack of labeling on trash receptacles throughout the cafeteria. By switching to reusable dining ware, not only is it much easier for diners to properly dispose of their waste, but it will save the dining center a whopping $58,866 in the first year and an even more impressive $65,500 per year thereafter. (Remember that number!) Moreover, giving new students a set of their own dining ware to reuse again and again will reduce theft and greatly reduce waste.
The Student Orientation Team wanted to promote awareness of sustainability to new and transfer students by creating a PowerPoint presentation and a comical skit for the orientation team to present to incoming students each semester. With this presentation, incoming students will be well-versed in the basics of sustainability and Orientation Leaders can promote good waste-reduction habits. If all students collectively reduce their waste, it will save RU money in annual disposal fees and more importantly reduce the university’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Waste Team had the pleasure of conducting a waste audit of a heavily used disposal area in the dining center. They first conducted a pre-audit by weighing each waste bag collected from these receptacles: trash, recycling, and compost. Then, by further inspecting the contents of each bag, they discovered that an alarming proportion of compostables was being thrown in the trash. More specifically, over 90% of the trash by weight was compostable. They further found that the lack of labeling on packing items students to unknowingly throw out recyclable and compostable materials instead of properly disposing of them, despite the presence of recycling and compost bins throughout the campus. The team concluded that taking away unlabeled bins would encourage students to properly sort through their trash at the designated trash-sorting areas.
Last but not least, the Sustainability Leadership Team examined the accomplishments of past and present sustainability leaders at RU to make a case for why RU needs a designated sustainability coordinator on staff. Not only would a sustainability coordinator stay on top of reporting our sustainability efforts, but they would be able to write grants, create positive PR through green certifications, and implement cost-saving projects such as all the ones listed above. Just implementing the recommended switch to reusable dining ware in our cafeteria would generate more than enough annual savings to fund a full-time sustainability coordinator as part of the university’s operating budget — a staff person who in turn would identify other areas of savings as well as revenue generation.
In addition, implementing a “green fee” of $5 per semester per student could generate approximately $33,070/year to be used on specific sustainability projects such as creating a climate action plan, implementing student-led projects, offering professional development for faculty and staff, and much more. Besides these cost-savings, the team noted that supporting sustainability-related commitments to reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, and promote environmental and social justice — all of which would be led and supported by a sustainability coordinator — is an ethical obligation of the university as well as a key fulfillment of its 2015-20 Strategic Sustainability Plan‘s goals and recommendations.
All in all, the students of SUST 250 each identified areas within the university that can be improved and would save the university tens of thousands of dollars every year. Beyond these remarkable cost-savings, though, as a social justice-oriented institution we are ethically obligated to prioritize projects such as these. By having a sustainability coordinator guiding these projects, the possibilities and savings far outweigh the initial upfront costs.
Want More? Watch these Zoom Videos of the SUST 250 Team Presentations:
Topic: SUST 250 Campus Sustainability Symposium 2022 (Food/Dining and Student Orientation) Date: Apr 19, 2022 10:50 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
