Category: Social justice

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.

https://se-images.campuslabs.com/clink/images/97011f99-018c-46c3-833e-db5f58428f5812c5ca45-83ff-4efb-8607-c0fdb57c9f28.png?preset=med-w

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

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.

 

Public Input Requested by 2/7 on Cook County’s Environmental Justice Policy

Cook County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES) is seeking input from the public on the County’s draft environmental justice (EJ) policy. This draft has been co-developed by an EJ internal working group, made up of County employees, and the EJ Community Advisory Committee. Once adopted by the County, the environmental justice policy will help inform and guide programming and policy decision-making across County bureaus and departments.

The deadline for commenting online is 11:59pm on Friday 2/7/25.

“Residents in low to middle income communities across Cook County, particularly communities of color, have been disproportionately impacted by pollution and lack of investment in green infrastructure. This has impacted their quality of life, their health and even life expectancy,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “Creating an environmental justice policy with critical feedback from our residents will allow us to integrate this policy into programs and initiatives ensuring that we are effectively addressing past environmental injustices and working to prevent further injustices.”

Those who live or work in Cook County are encouraged to review the draft EJ policy and share their thoughts. A public input form is available on the DES website until midnight, February 7, 2025.

The County is hosting a series of in-person and virtual town hall events this month. The following town halls have been scheduled:

Tuesday, January 21 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Niles North High School
9800 North Lawler Ave
Skokie, IL 60077

Wednesday, January 22 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Cicero Public Library
5225 W Cermak Rd.
Cicero, IL 60804

Monday, January 27 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
South Suburban College
15800 State St.
South Holland, IL 60473

Wednesday, January 29 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual – Via Zoom
Click here to register for the Zoom Session

Monday, February 3 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Malcolm X College
1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612

Cook County Environmental Justice Survey Report 2024 reducedDownload
Cook County Environmental Justice Policy Draft 2025Download

 

Historically, communities of color and low-income communities have experienced disproportionate environmental burdens. Responding to the compounding effects of environmental inequities and preparing for additional challenges resulting from climate change are crucial aspects of the County’s strategic plan.

The creation of an environmental justice policy was requested in the Cook County COVID-19 Response Plan, the Cook County Equity Fund Taskforce recommendations and in Cook County Board Resolution 23-1092.

Apply for the Spring 2025 Fellowship for Activism & Community Engagement

The RU Mansfield Institute’s Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement (FACE) program will support 15 endergraduate Fellows during the Spring 2025 semester. Applicants should have at least 45 earned credit hours, an interest in social justice, and at least a 2.0 GPA. Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend and 3 credits for this experiential, social justice-based, cohort Fellowship.

Eligibility

  • Open to all Roosevelt University undergraduate students in any discipline or college.
  • Students must have between 45 credit hours completed at the end of Fall semester.
  • GPA of at least a 2.0.
  • Have an interest in Social Justice.
  • Able to complete a 40-hour internship.
  • Be able to attend the course on Tuesday, 2:00pm to 4:30pm.
  • International students are welcome!

What Fellows Can Expect

  • Participate in a semester length, 3-credit cohort course.
  • Work in community-based organization (40 hours across the semester).
  • Receive a $1000 stipend, earn three credits toward fulfillment of the EXL, Social science and 300-level requirements.
  • Develop networks, friendships and community that center social justice.
  • Applicants will be notified of the selection by November 14, 2024.

Application

Applications for Spring 2025 Fellows will open on October 4th and close end of day on November 7th, 2024. Fellows will be notified by November 14th, 2024.

Apply for the Mansfield Fellowship for Activism and Community Engagement

Global Race Study Abroad Course for Spring 2025: Info Sessions 10/7 and 10/8

Today 10/7 and tomorrow 10/8, Dr. Heather Dalmage of the Sociology program at RU will be leading info sessions at RU’s Chicago Campus about a short-term study abroad trip for undergraduate and graduate students to South Africa in May 2025. This course, Global Race, is cross-listed as JMS 329, SOC 329, and ORGD 480.

Students can enroll in this sociology course for the Spring 2025 semester, complete course work in Chicago during the semester, and then travel with Profs. Dalmage and Anne-Marie Cusac to South Africa from May 11 – May 23. Interested students should come to one of these information sessions this week!

Monday, October 7th: AUD 510 @ 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 8th AUD 644 @ 4:30-5:30p.m.

Highlights of Global Race course:

  • 6 credit hours
  • Open to all RU students
  • Fulfills EXL (Experimental Learning) requirements for CORE gen ed
  • Features two weeks travel to South Africa

For more information: email hdalmage@roosevelt.edu or acusac@roosevelt.edu

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

RU Students: SGA Mental Health Referendum Vote Extended thru Th 4/25!

Important Earth Week Update — Voting Period Extended! This Th 4/25 is the LAST DAY for RU students to vote on the Mental Health Referendum (ending at midnight) and the SGA needs 400 or so votes (yes or no, just total votes cast) for the referendum tally to count. About 120 more votes are needed by the end of Thursday 4/25!

Message from Roosevelt’s Student Government Association:

Dear RU students — The Student Government Association (SGA) would like to inform you about an important re-vote of the upcoming Mental Health Referendum and Student Government Executive Board election for fall 2024!

SGA is proposing a referendum to introduce a $150 per semester fee aimed at expanding face-to-face mental health and physical support services on campus. This fee will be used exclusively to bolster existing mental healthresources and create a more comprehensive and accessible support system for all students.

To vote please see Laker Connect — this link takes you to a page where this is a link for voting on this referendum.

  • Voting Yes for this referendum will create a new in-person counseling center at Roosevelt University for the Fall 2024 semester. This includes up to 12 counseling sessions (in-person or virtual) with the same mental healthprovider and expanding services (in the future) to include physical healthservices on campus. This will include increasing counseling fees from $27 a semester to $150 for full in-person counseling services per semester.
  • Voting No on this referendum will mean no new counseling services, and the current mental health resources will remain the same including TimelyCare. This means that your counseling fees will remain at $27 with only digital resources.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the SGA leadership:
Olivia Van De Ven (ovandeven@mail.roosevelt.edu)
Madeline LaFrombois (mlafrombois@mail.roosevelt.edu)

Vote and make your voice heard!

RU’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Meets on 2/21; All Are Welcome!

RU’s Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) will meet via Zoom on Wed 2/21/24 from 9-10am CST to review the strategic planning process to date and prioritize the summary initiatives recommended by the RU community in 2023. This open committee est. in 2010 meets ~4x per year to discuss environmental sustainability initiatives, share information, and make policy recommendations.

All interested RU students, faculty, staff, admin, and alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend! RSVP to mbryson@roosevelt.edu.

Zoom link for meeting: https://roosevelt.zoom.us/j/93318500123

Our main task will be to share feedback on and discuss this Worksheet for Prioritizing Sustainability Initiatives (Word and pdf), which summarizes recommendations made through several surveys and workshops in 2022-23. Please take a few minutes to review and fill out the worksheet prior to meeting, if possible. Regardless of whether or not you can attend on 2/21, written feedback can be emailed to the ESC chair, Prof. Mike Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu).

Additional Resources for the 2/21/24 ESC meeting:

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!