Welcome to the November WSU Sustainability Newsletter!

Upcoming Spring Sustainability Courses

More than 20 departments, including Automotive Technology, History, Geoscience, Botany, and Business Administration, are offering such courses.    

A few examples below highlight the broad range of courses being offered.

Introduction to Social Work (SW 1010), where students are introduced to social work, including an understanding of the importance of a sustainable world through human development, birth control, and environmental issues.

Construction Materials and Methods (CMT 1310), which covers the materials and construction methods used in buildings, with an emphasis on sustainable construction practices.

People and Nature (WSU 1560), where students explore the following topics: nature as commodity, nature and the imagination, nature and health, and nature and sustainability. We will view these through the lens of change, in particular historical change, the human ability to change, obstacles to change and living with change.

Symbiosis (HNRS 2040), looking at how organisms live closely together, while exploring the question: "How does symbiosis tell us about our place in the ecosystem?"

Marine Ecology (ZOO 4490), examining the physical, chemical, and biological interactions within and among marine ecosystems.

An interesting collaboration is happening between two courses, and it includes Friday lectures open to anyone.  The courses are SOC 4990, Thirsty Society: A Sociology of Water, taught by Dr. Carla Trentelman, and GEO 4800, Great Salt Lake & Society, taught by Dr. Carie Frantz. Students may register for credit; however, anyone may attend the Friday sessions free of charge. 

These parallel and intersecting courses related to water and society will bring in experts from the region to talk about the Great Salt Lake. They will explore how geology, chemistry, and ecosystems influence our local environment, health, and society. Topics include how we think about water; water use, abuse, and conservation; water and energy, politics, and social justice issues; access to water, water scarcity, and sustainability.

There are no prerequisites. Register for one or both courses, or simply bring a lunch and drop in at Tracy Hall (TY)102 on Fridays for the open lecture.

Read the full descriptions for these courses. 

November is Hunger Awareness Month at WSU, and there are many ways to get involved.

On campus, the Weber Cares Pantry is available for students, faculty, and staff with a valid WSU I.D. Individuals are welcome to fill up to two bags with food and other resources. The pantry is open Monday through Friday, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m., in the Shepherd Union (SU), room 402. Please visit SU 327, home of the Center for Community Engaged Learning, to assist with the pantry before or after open hours. CCEL is also giving away Thanksgiving kits to Weber State students, faculty, and staff who are facing food insecurities. Contact information and dietary concerns need to be emailed to wsu.webercares@gmail.com by November 12th.

On November 15th, there will be a screening of the documentary Us and Them. The film educates the public on the realities of homelessness and encourages proactive solutions. The screening will be from 11:30 to 1:30 in the Honors Center. Following the film will be a discussion on food insecurity and homelessness within the country and on campus.

Green Teams - Volunteer on November 13th for the PB&J Sandwich Drive to build sandwiches for organizations in the community. The drive will be in the Shepherd Union, Ballroom C, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is eligible for Green Team points under the sustainability-related events category. You can receive 1 point for having 25% of your office participate in a sustainability-related event, 2 if 50% participate, 3 if 75% participate, and 4 for 100%. To obtain your points, simply attend the event, have a great time, and email @kaylahickman a list of those who attended.

Support the Food Pantry! Sodexo is currently collecting donations to go directly to purchasing food for the Weber Cares Food Pantry. Their goal is to collect $2,000; they are $800 short. Green departments can earn 1 point for every $50 they collect within their department. Below are instructions on how to donate and get points.

1. Create a collection box or jar for cash from faculty and staff in the office.

2. Take proceeds to any Sodexo location in the Shepherd Union (626 Market Place, Stone Pizza, Tres Habaneros, Waldo's Chessie Grill, and Union Sushi).

3. No purchase is required; just tell the cashier you are donating to Sodexo's Stop Hunger campaign.

4. You will receive a receipt from the cashier for the amount your office donated.

5. Scan that receipt and send it to @kaylahickman for points.

To give, visit weber.edu/give or call WSU’s gift processing office at 801-626-6138. To discuss methods of giving, call the Development Office at 801-626-6073. To donate your time working alongside students, serving on committees, or volunteering as a guest speaker, contact the center at (801)-626-7737 or ccel@weber.edu.