September 2023
Welcome Back!
Welcome to a new academic year of sustainability learning, practice, and teaching at WSU! We hope you have had a summer full of what you needed, whether that was rest, time with family and friends, outdoor exploration, focused work, fun, laughter, or all of these. We are off to a great start in our collective sustainability efforts.
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Weber State has three sustainable clubs, so students can find their eco-niche. The Environmental Ambassadors, the Food Recovery Network, and the Garden Club focus on unique aspects of sustainability. Come make an impact! Whether you are interested in air quality and transportation, social sustainability, zero waste, health and wellness, food sustainability, energy and climate, water quality, or biodiversity there is something for you! The Sustainable Clubs will meet every Monday from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
You are invited to join the club meetings or an upcoming event. Some events include the Community Garden Wellness Landscaping Day on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 1 - 4 p.m. and the Zero Waste Athletics Football Game on Saturday, Sept. 23, starting at 6 p.m.
See the calendar for meeting times, more events, and how you can get involved.
WSU's Sustainable Transportation
There are many ways that you can choose to make your commute to WSU more sustainable this year.
The OGX
Take advantage of the new Ogden Express (OGX) emission-free all-electric bus line. It is free to ride for the next three years! A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the bus line on Aug. 2, and full service started on Aug. 20. The OGX stops at the FrontRunner, The Junction, Washington Boulevard, Weber County Library, Monroe Park, Mt. Ogden Jr. High, Mt. Ogden High School, Weber State University, and McKay-Dee Hospital. On weekdays buses run every 15-30 minutes from 4:30 a.m. to midnight and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays.
Active Transportation
Walking or riding a bike is considered active transportation, and is a fantastic option to choose. WSU Sustainability is working hard to improve infrastructure and campus policies to make active transportation an easier choice. This past spring, WSU’s transportation master plan was updated to help WSU achieve its 2040 carbon-neutral goal. We are excited to announce that we are hiring a new student sustainable transportation coordinator to help us implement these goals and improve active transportation facilities.
New Free EV Charging on Campuses
All WSU parking pass holders can park and charge their electric vehicle, for free, at one of the campus's charging stations for three hours. Stations are located throughout the Ogden Campus, Davis Campus, and Community Education Center located on 26th and Monroe in Ogden. Stations can be found on the campus sustainability map.
Carbon Offsets
Don’t forget that there is always the option to purchase carbon offsets to reduce or eliminate your commuting footprint. When you purchase your parking pass this year, please select the "Add Carbon Offset" option to contribute to the carbon offset fund. All contributions will be matched by WSU's Energy & Sustainability Office! If you already purchased your pass for the year, you can still contribute by logging into your account at weber.myparkinginfo.com and selecting "Add Carbon Offset" as depicted in the screenshots here.
Sustainability-focused movies!
The Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC) and the faculty Environmental Initiative Committee (EIC) are co-hosting monthly sustainability-related film showings. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to connect with peers and mentors over sustainability topics explored through the medium of film.
Come watch “Unbreathable” and “The Vanishing Oasis,” an award-winning film about the Great Salt Lake on Sept. 14.
Movies will be shown on the third Thursday of each month, from 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Wildcat Theater, Shepherd Union.
An informal discussion will follow.
The films were selected in alignment with the WSU Green Badge monthly themes. They will cover the interconnected environmental, social, and economic spheres of sustainability.
Apply for a SUS Course Attribute
All disciplines, perspectives, and skills are needed to address the collective sustainability challenges we face and improve life for all.
With the SUS course attribute, faculty indicate that their course or course section addresses sustainability, broadly defined, in some way. A course may focus on a vast array of issues, topics, tools, and approaches in the intersecting environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability. The SUS attribute signals to students that a class includes sustainability-focused learning outcomes. These classes contribute to students’ understanding of sustainability in their daily lives, as well as the necessary tools to make positive change from local to global scales. Students can search for the SUS attribute during registration or find a list of SUS classes here.
Applications for Spring 2024 courses are due October 2.
The application process involves three simple steps (your syllabus, a form, and submission in Curriculog). The “Why, What, and How” of the attribute and all necessary links to apply can be found here. Qualified courses may retain the SUS attribute for five years before renewal. Faculty are invited to attend a drop-in SUS application help session via Zoom this month on:
Tuesday, Sept. 19th, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.,
Friday, Sept. 22, 1-2 p.m.,
Monday, Sept. 25, 4-5 p.m., and
Thursday, the 28th from 1-2 p.m.
Click here or contact the SUS Attribute Committee Chair, Alice Mulder, at amulder@weber.edu for more information.
Clear the Air Challenge
Weber State’s internal Clear the Air Challenge will now take place every September! The Clear the Air Challenge encourages friendly competition within the campus community to reduce CO2 by taking more sustainable methods of transportation. Each of the university colleges, divisions, and students compete to win weekly prizes, recognition, and earn Employee Wellness and Green Team points. The first-place division and college will earn the honor of housing the corresponding trophy for the year.
For more information on how to join "Team Weber" visit weber.edu/sustainability/CTAC.html.
Green Badge Program Updates
Participate in the Green Badge Program and start earning your badges today! September’s Green Badge is “Air Quality." Learn about air quality issues in Utah and ways you can reduce your vehicle emissions.
5 people earned April’s “Water Sustainability” Badge. Way to go!
Green Teams Updates
Join a Green Team today! The Green Department Program is for faculty and staff to learn ways to make their departments or offices more sustainable. Green Teams work together to earn points and recognition by implementing change and taking actions outlined in a Green Team checklist.
Green: Div. of Online and Continuing Education
Gold: Psychology & Neuroscience
Silver: The Signpost
Upcoming Events
Sustainable Clubs Kick-off Meeting
Shepherd Union, Fireplace Lounge
Monday, September 11
1 - 2 p.m.
Visit the Clubs' webpage
Water-wise Landscaping Day!
3650 Taylor Ave, Ogden, Utah
Wednesday, September 13
12 - 2:30 p.m.
RSVP
Free Movie -- Unbreathable: The fight for healthy air
Shepherd Union, Wildcat Theater
Thursday, September 14
12:30 - 2 p.m.
See Events Calendar
Cookies for Commuters
Bus stop outside Shepherd Union
Friday, September 15
9 - 11 a.m.
Register to Help
Ogden Bicycle Collective Work Shop
Ogden Bicycle Collective
Monday, September 18
4 - 6 p.m.
Both RSVP and Register (It's weird, just go with it)
Zero Waste Athletics Football Game
Stewart Stadium
Saturday, September 23
6 p.m.
More Info
WSU Diversity Conference
Davis Campus
Thursday, September 28
6 - 8 p.m.
More Info
Ogden Campus
Friday, September 29
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
More Info
SPARC Open House
Stewart Library, Room 320
Friday, October 6
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
See Events Calendar
News & Resources
Weber State recognized as national leader in sustainability | WSUToday
From Energy Savings to Carbon Neutrality: Exploring Weber State University’s Sustainability Success | Atrius
Jennifer Bodine: The technology and vision exist, now it’s time to act for a carbon neutral future | The Salt Lake Tribune
As Climate Shocks Multiply, Designers Seek Holy Grail: Disaster-Proof Homes | New York Times
NEW: Free Climate Ambassador Virtual Self-Paced Training | Path to Positive Communities
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