Abstract

A course in environmental stewardship gives students a chance to complete an experiential learning project to promote environmental sustainability on the Cornell campus.

Issue

Cornell University continues to address the many environmental needs of society and of its own campus. Many students are interested in improving Cornell's environmental record. This course offers them a service-learning, experiential opportunity to make a difference.

Response

This course is specifically tailored to encourage students with environmental concerns to work through the Cornell administrative structure to encourage change. Students identify an issue they wish to work on, deal with the appropriate administrative structure, prepare a final report (written and oral) and then present their results publicly to faculty and administrative staff.

Impact

Various projects have been undertaken that have changed the campus. In other cases, changes were explored and it became clear that an idea was not feasible. Two recent, successful projects that students have worked on are "Tree-Free Paper," which has led to greater availability on campus of recycled paper with higher recycled content, and "Greening the Computers," which has led to more use of the PowerSaver feature on computers and special stickers that can be attached to the CPU and display screen pointing out what is happening. Current projects are investigating the possibility of using biodiesel for farm services, using oil from Cornell dining, and alternative parking sites for students on West Campus.

Funding Sources

• Academic Programs Instructional Support (e.g., Institutional Challenge, Multicultural Scholars, Nat'l Needs, Hispanic Ed)
• CALS Instruction Funds

Collaborators

• Students in ALS 477
• Cornell Faculty and Administrative Staff

Key Personnel

• N/A