Environmental Club Initiatives

The Environmental Club was formed in 2007 by students who wanted to be engaged in campus projects and to further the culture of sustainability across Champlain. An official club of the SGA, participating students work directly with the Sustainability Coordinator and Sustainability-Rep, as well as with Work Study students on projects and events on campus. 

For LEAD credit, students would need to select one activity and see the project through to completion (working with other students, and under the supervision of the Sustainability Coordinator).  Contact Christina Erickson, Sustainability Coordinator, for more information.

Students participating in the activities below will start off with an informational meeting with the Sustainability Coordinator to discuss the scope, importance, and details of each project.

Environmental Club Initiatives for LEAD Credit:

Campus-wide Recycling Bin Audit: Gain an understanding of where recycling bins are and are not placed on campus; update labels and signage.

• Overall goal: to increase Champlain community participation in recycling program and overall waste reduction by having needed infrastructure and appropriate signage in place.
• Timing: occurring in early-mid October; minimum 2 hour commitment
• Number of students needed: 2-3
• Reflection: Contribute to final report of findings; present at Environmental Club and/or Sustain Champlain meeting

Distribution of Sustainable Living Guides: Via tabling, floor meetings, and other venues, to provide a resource guide to on and off-campus students regarding sustainability living practices, including waste reduction, energy conservation, transportation options, and food choices.

• Overall goal: to increase awareness of sustainable living practices and applicable area resources for students
• Timing: late October-early December; minimum 2 hour commitment
• Number of students needed: 5-10
• Reflection: group discussion at Environmental Club meeting.

Light Bulb Swaps in the Residence Halls: With permission of Res Life staff, go door-to-door in the residence halls, swapping out students' task/desk lamps' incandescent light bulbs with efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

• Overall goal: Provide an opportunity to talk about energy efficiency practices and to reduce campus electrical load/greenhouse gas emissions.
• Timing: late October-mid November; minimum 2 hour commitment
• Number of students needed: 10-20
• Reflection: group debrief following an evening of swapping. Individuals will submit a brief description for website.

Waste Sort at the IDX Center: With permission of Physical Plant/custodial staff, take a random selection of trash from receptacles in the IDX center and sort it to see what should have been recycled or composted and what is truly "trash."

• Overall goal: to have a highly visible event where we see how the campus community does with trash/recycling separation and talk about the concept of waste in general.
• Timing: late October-mid November; minimum 2 hour commitment
• Number of students needed: 10-15
• Reflection: group debrief following the sort; individuals will submit a brief description for website.

Eco-Film series:  Assist in organizing a series of eco/sustainability related films and documentaries on campus, including facilitating a discussion after the film.

• Overall goal: raise awareness of campus community around issues of environmental justice, waste, and global climate change.
• Timing: mid-October-early December; minimum 1 film & discussion participation
• Number of students needed: 2-4
• Reflection: debrief after the film/discussion

Clothes Swap: Assist in organizing a swap event where students can trade clothing items. The remaining items would be donated to an appropriate charity.

• Overall goal: to raise awareness of how much "stuff" we have and may not need; to promote reuse of items.
• Timing: mid-November-early December; minimum 2 hour shift during swap
• Number of students needed: 10-15
• Reflection: debrief after the event; individuals will submit a brief description for website.

Recycled Art/Sculpture Competition: Tap into the creative nature of Champlain students and assist in organizing a competition using only recycled objects.

• Overall goal: creative reuse of items; promoting the FUN in sustainability.
• Timing: plan for spring semester; minimum 2 hour planning time
• Number of students needed: 3-5
• Reflection: contribute to event plan (including advertising support)