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

 

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

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)

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

 

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 REU Fellowships for Summer 2025

Hey RU students — especially SUST majors and minors . . .

The annual Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) has literally hundreds of PAID summer research fellowships in the US that you can search for and apply to. These are well-compensated and you learn a ton doing one of these fellowships as a rising junior or senior.

This REU database is searchable by geographic region, general research area, and keyword. When I did a simple search for “sustainability” I got 50 hits. Check it out!

If you’re wondering, “Have any recent SUST majors got one of these awesome fellowships?” — the answer is yes. Here’s a cool post by Kiera Carpenter (BA in SUST ’24) who completed one of these REUs at the Chgo Botanic Garden in the summer of 2023.

Remember, you can’t get one of these gigs unless you apply!

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 Campus Job: Sustainability Student Associates for 2024-25

The Department of Law, Society & Sustainability (LSS) @RooseveltU is hiring up to two undergraduate students to work as Sustainability Student Associates for the 2024-25 academic year. 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 (deadline extended to 9/13/24). 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.

These 15 hour/week student positions support the mission, pedagogy, and service work of the Sustainability Studies (SUST) as well as other related programs in the LSS Dept at Roosevelt by

  • developing & supporting campus sustainability projects in consultation with the SUST program director; Dept of Law, Society & Sustainability faculty; Operations and Planning admin/staff; and the RU Green student organization;
  • managing the Roosevelt Urban Sustainability Lab (RUSLab) & assisting with the WB Rooftop Garden;
  • providing logistical and communication support for sustainability-related activities, events, and projects, especially our ongoing efforts at strategic sustainability planning;
  • coordinating & promoting departmental events & campus outreach (e.g., Campus Sustainability Month in October, SUST Symposia, & Earth Month in April);
  • supporting student experiential learning, recruitment, retention, & career development efforts;
  • performing alumni and community outreach.

In 2024-25, up to two Student Associates will work under the direction of the LSS Dept Chair and SUST Program Director, Prof. Mike Bryson. Associates will utilize the RUSLab in AUD 526 as their home base at the Chicago Campus as well as perform some work remotely as needed. Both Federal Work-Study eligible and non-eligible students from any major are welcome to apply, but priority in hiring will be given to FWS students who are based in the programs of the new Department of Law, Society & Sustainability within the new College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences (formerly the College of Arts & Sciences).

The application deadline has been extended Friday 9/13/24. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will be conducted starting the week of 9/3/24. Consequently, interested students should get their applications submitted ASAP and may contact Prof. Bryson in advance to indicate their intention to apply and ask questions about the position. A cover letter, updated résumé, and writing sample are required for the application.

The writing sample should be at least 1000 words and demonstrate your writing & research skills (this may be a paper submitted for a college class). Topic related to sustainability and/or the environment is recommended, but not required. This should be something that exemplifies your *best* writing for a general and/or academic audience, but not be overly technical.

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.)

  • Priority Majors: Criminal Justice, Economics, English, International Studies, Paralegal Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Social Justice Studies, Sociology, and Sustainability Studies. Students from other majors will also 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.

Please email Prof. Bryson (mbryson@roosevelt.edu) for questions about the position or application process.

Sustainability Resolution & Strategic Plan for 2024-29 Unanimously Endorsed by RU Senate

In celebration of Earth Week, here is some good news! At the last RU Senate meeting of the 2023-24 academic year on 19 April 2024, the Strategic Sustainability Plan for 2024-29 and accompanying Resolution were endorsed by a unanimous vote of the Senate membership. These documents are now under consideration by the university’s executive leadership.

  • Resolution for the University Senate at its 4/19/24 Meeting (pdf)
  • Strategic Sustainability Plan for 2024-29 (pdf)

Thanks to everyone in the campus community over the past two years who participated in workshops, completed surveys, attended events and presentations, provided feedback in writing or at meetings, and otherwise supported and encouraged this effort — especially the students who worked on the Sustainability Strategic Planning Team that began as a group EXL project in SUST 350 Service & Sustainability last Fall 2022 semester. Your contributions and continued support are greatly appreciated!

Text of the Sustainability Resolution

Whereas sustainability is a defining issue in our age of climate change, biodiversity loss, toxic pollution, resource inequity, political instability, and environmental injustice;

Whereas colleges and universities play a critical role in advancing knowledge, developing solutions, educating citizens, and demonstrating leadership for a more just and sustainable world;

Whereas the three pillars of sustainability — ecology, economy, and equity — are congruent with Roosevelt’s historic mission of advancing social justice;

Whereas in 2010, Roosevelt committed to greening its campus operations, launched new academic programs, developed university-community partnerships, and assumed leadership among local higher ed institutions in its efforts to advance sustainable development on campus and within the Chicago region;

Whereas in 2015, Roosevelt adopted its first Strategic Sustainability Plan for 2015-20, with the full endorsement of the Senate, the President’s Executive Council, and the Board of Trustees;

Whereas in 2020 said Plan expired, necessitating the development of a new Plan with input from the entire RU community that takes stock of our progress, identifies areas of improvement, and prioritizes actions to create a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship across every facet of our operations;

Whereas the work we do transforming our University into a truly sustainable institution will reduce our ecological footprint, strengthen our financial resilience, raise our academic reputation, attract and retain more students, improve our working and learning environments, and inspire alumni and potential donors;

Therefore, be it Resolved that the University Senate endorse Roosevelt’s new Strategic Sustainability Plan for 2024-29 and forward its recommendations to our Executive Leadership.

Passed unanimously the RU Senate on 19 Apr 2024

Useful Resources for Campus Sustainability Planning

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