October 2023
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The Sustainability Practices and Research Center (SPARC) is hosting an open house! SPARC wants to share pizza and plants with you in our new office space. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited, so bring a friend and come learn about sustainability at WSU.
SPARC’s mission is to inform and educate WSU students, faculty, staff, and the local and statewide community in order to ensure the sustainability of our region and our world for future generations.
We want to get to know you! What are your sustainability needs? What interests you? What questions do you have?
Please come introduce yourself, get a slice of pizza, and baby plant (while supplies last) during our open house!
Friday, October 6
Stewart Library, Room 320
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Do you bike, scooter, skateboard, or ride another personal riding device to commute to the Ogden Campus? If yes, then we need your feedback!
The Energy and Sustainability Office at Weber State University is conducting a rider survey to better understand how to improve the Ogden Campus parking infrastructure for personal riding devices.
The information obtained from this survey will help us determine what and where personal riding device parking infrastructure is needed. Your input will be kept confidential and is critical!
Please use this link to access the survey. Feel free to share this survey with others who might be interested in providing feedback.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact WSU Sustainability Manager, Jennifer Bodine, at jenniferbodine@weber.edu or by calling 801-626-6421.
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The Sustainability Practices and Research Center is gearing up for the 15th annual Intermountain Sustainability Summit (ISS), and once again is inviting speakers and artists to share innovative designs, practices, and approaches to creating a sustainable and vibrant world. Speakers and artists may submit proposals through Friday, October 27.
This year’s ISS theme, Sustainable by Design, encourages speakers and artists to share the methods and thought processes used in their field to enhance sustainable practices. Whether you are a civil engineer, architect, landscaper, educator, entrepreneur, UX designer, artist, community advocate, or are otherwise engaged in shaping our future, you are invited to share how you are intentionally designing for a healthy, peaceful, resilient world.
Since 2010, the ISS has brought together sustainability thought leaders, emerging professionals, and students to engage, connect, and expand the network of Utah’s innovative community across the Intermountain West and beyond. The ISS offers 2 days of engaging events featuring 45, or more, speakers, and over 400 participants.
Potential presenters may use the guide to the speaker proposal questions to help prepare submissions.
Reaching for the STARS
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WSU is diligently working to reach our university-wide strategic goal of achieving STARS gold by 2025. All WSU faculty, staff, and students are invited to join in.
Since 2011, WSU has tracked and compared our sustainability efforts to those of higher education institutions across the world using the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS is a transparent framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance, enabling meaningful comparisons over time.
Currently, WSU is a STARS Silver reporter but is working to advance our sustainability progress to earn enough points for a STARS Gold rating next year. This effort reaches across the university, from our operations and administrative practices, to how students, faculty, and staff are engaged in teaching, learning, and practicing sustainability.
WSU is a member of AASHE, which gives all WSU faculty, staff and students access to STARS information, mentorship opportunities, and the Campus Sustainability Hub. You can set up an account with a @weber.edu, or @mail.weber.edu email. You will find access to toolkits, resources, and collections about all aspects of sustainability from academics to operations to governance. Make an account today, engage in sustainability, and help us reach our STARS Gold goal!
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You Belong with the Sustainable Clubs
Environmental Ambassadors: A Lifestyle
Sustainability is more than a buzzword; it's about reducing our environmental footprint by making conscious choices. It's about meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. When you join the EA club, you advocate for eco-friendly products, energy and water conservation, and prioritizing sustainable transportation to make a significant difference. Join our weekly meetings, every Monday at 1:30 p.m., to learn more.
Zero Waste: Minimize Waste, Maximize Impact
The zero-waste movement at Weber State is gaining momentum, focusing on waste prevention and the utilization of all resources. You can take simple steps like using reusable bags, bottles, and containers to substantially reduce waste. Composting organic waste and recycling materials are also crucial for a zero-waste lifestyle. Join our Zero waste recycling events at WSU’s football games to help Wildcats reduce responsibly!
Food Recovery Network: Waste Not, Want Not
Help reduce food waste in the community by joining a WSU Food Recovery event. By rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to those in need, we can make a profound impact on our community and environment here at Weber. Each time you participate in a Food Recovery, you receive a $15 Smith’s gift card. Check the Sustainability Calendar for dates and times.
Garden Club: Cultivate a Greener World
Gardening is a delightful hobby and it is also a step towards sustainability. Help out at the WSU community garden. Growing your own food reduces the need for commercially farmed produce, which often involves harmful pesticides and unsustainable practices. Plus, gardening enhances our local biodiversity and improves air quality here at Weber State!
Green Badge Program Updates
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Participate in the Green Badge Program and start earning your badges today! October’s Green Badge is “Social Sustainability." Learn how to get engaged and support a more diverse and equitable community.
Congratulations to the six people who earned September’s “Air Quality” Badge.
Green Teams Updates
Congratulations to the Division of Online & Continuing Education on their move to the Green Team Gold level.
Upcoming Events
SPARC Open House
Friday, October 6
Stewart Library, Room 320
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
See Calendar Event
Virtual Homecoming Recycle Run
Friday, October 6 - 15
Virtual Event
Zero Waste Athletics Football
Saturday, October 7
Stewart Stadium
6 p.m.
See Calendar Event
Environmental Initiatives Committee (EIC) Meeting
Tuesday, October 10
Tracy Hall, Room 470B
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Learn More
SPARC Sustainability Film Series – "2040"
Thursday, October 14
Shepherd Union, Wildcat Theater
12 - 2 p.m
See Calendar Event
Zero Waste Athletics Football
Saturday, October 12
Stewart Stadium
6 p.m.
See Calendar Event
Student Voice Panel
Virtual Event
Thursday, October 26
2-3 p.m.
Learn More and Register Here
Social Sustainability Panel
Tuesday, October 17
Shepherd Union, Room 321
1-2 p.m.
See Calendar Event
Scary Movie
Monday, October 30
Stewart Library, Hetzel-Hoellein (room 321)
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
See Calendar Event
Environmental Initiatives Committee (EIC) Meeting
Tuesday, October 31
Tracy Hall, Room 470B
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Learn More
News & Resources
DOE Announces 2023 Cohort of Post-Secondary Programs That Teach Zero Energy Design
There’s a Vast Source of Clean Energy Beneath Our Feet. And a Race to Tap It.
Muscle, wood, coal, oil: what earlier energy transitions tell us about renewables
Net Zero Roadmap: A Global Pathway to Keep the 1.5 °C Goal in Reach Executive summary
Take a break from your screen and look at plants − botanizing is a great way to engage with life around you
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