Get Involved > Student Involvement
Student Involvement
Students are the driving force behind many of the sustainability efforts at UF. From student representation on university committees and in SG, to the myriad student groups working on sustainability issues, there is something for everyone. We have also created a Green Guide for UF students with lots of information, tips, and resources to help you get started.
Internship with UF's Office of Sustainability
Intern with the Office of Sustainability - Fall 2009 internships are now filled. If you are interested in an internship for Spring 2010 or beyond, please e-mail your application.
We also highly recommend that interested students consider joining a UF Green Team and/or Gators for a Sustainable Campus or other student organizations to get involved. Volunteers are also welcomed to the TailGator Recycling Green Team, a volunteer oriented program that works every home football game to provide recycling services to on campus and off campus tailgates.
Student Government is also active in sustainability issues through the new Gators Going Green agency.
Student Representation
- Graduate Assistants United - If you're a graduate research or teaching assistant, Graduate Assistants United (GAU) represents you in forming contracts with the University and fighting for benefits such as health care and pay raises for grad students.
- Student Government Environmental Affairs Cabinet - Student Government Environmental Affairs Cabinet works to increase environmental awareness and clean-up, both on campus and in the community.
- Sustainability Committee - This committee promotes sustainability within the University and in the University's relations with the larger community and seeks to enhance the University's standing as a global leader in sustainability. It assesses the progress of the University of Florida's sustainability efforts as compared to national and international best practices and pursues their implementation when appropriate. It aids in the development of policy with the Office of Sustainability and participates in the annual evaluations of that Office, its director and academic officer. Apply here.
Student Clubs
- Air and Waste Management Association - The purposes of AWMA are to promote student interest in environmental issues; provide an avenue for the exchange of ideas between students and the members of both the Florida Air & Waste Management Association and the Air & Waste Management Association; to adopt by reference, the objectives as stated in the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws; and to promote an avenue for exchange of ideas between students and professionals in environment field. The club organizes industrial tours, sends students to various environmental state and national level conferences, organizes poster symposium for the environmental students, and invites guest speakers to talk about various environmental issues.
- American Solar Energy Society at UF - The American Solar Energy Society at UF is committed to sustainable solutions to our energy needs. With a mindset of economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social equity, we seek the development of alternative energy sources and the wise use and management of our current energy sources. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we pursue this vision of a prosperous and sustainable future through research, outreach, and projects.
- American Water Works Association - AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of drinking water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the drinking water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment. Our purpose here at UF is to promote student interest in the environment and to provide an avenue for the exchange of ideas among students and professionals in the field as well as members of the AWWA.
- Bioenergy and Sustainable Technology Society - The primary purpose of this organization is to provide a forum within which to discuss and educate the members and the public at-large about the technological realities, politics and economics of bioenergy and renewable resources, energy conversion and distribution and sustainable technologies. Activities include public meetings, sponsorship of selected speakers, and field trips to appropriate bioenergy and sustainable technology sites.
- Change the World: Student Social Entrepreneurs at UF - Our mission is to educate students to think innovatively about social problems in the local community and around the world and empower them to create positive social change. According to Dees, who coined the term “social entrepreneurship” in 1998, social entrepreneurship involves: adopting a mission to create and sustain social value; recognizing and relentlessly pursuing new opportunities to serve that mission; engaging in a process of continuous innovation, adaptation, and learning; acting boldly without being limited by resources currently in hand; and exhibiting a heightened sense of accountability for the outcomes created. We’re sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and are a service organization through the Center for Leadership & Service. We will soon be a chapter of NetImpact.
- Children Beyond Our Borders - Children Beyond Our Borders is a student organization at the University of Florida, whose primary purpose is to provide support for impoverished children in Latin American countries and the world through social projects that stress, above all, education. The organization directs special attention to children whose families are refugees or displaced as a cause of civil conflicts and injustice. A child’s well-being and potential are closely linked to the qualities of their living environment and education. Therefore, we aim to provide comprehensive support which may include proper nutrition, clothing, hygiene essentials, access to medical care and education. The ultimate goal of Children Beyond Our Borders is to give these children the tools they need to become productive members of their societies and the world at large. The organization shall promote awareness and create a better understanding for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Florida of the issues associated with the low education levels and impoverishment of children around the world.
- Engineers Without Borders - The primary purpose of this organization is to join a network sharing the vision of a world where all people have access to adequate sanitation, safe drinking water, and the resources to meet their other self-identified engineering and economic development needs. This shall be achieved through a variety of projects that will be planned, designed, fund-raised and executed by participating students, faculty and collaborating professionals in industry. This organization shall be not for profit and shall be non-commercial in nature. Technologies developed will not be sold for in-use application.
- EnVeg - Short for environmentally-conscious vegetarianism, enVeg is a group that encourages people to reduce their industrial-raised meat, dairy and egg consumption in order to help slow climate change. By promoting and increasing the ease of cooking without meat, enVeg shows people that you don’t have to sacrifice the environment to eat well. Members learn to cook vegetarian and vegan food, socialize at potlucks, help campaign for a more vegetarian and climate-friendly campus, and receive free eco-eating tips and recipes via email.
- Environmental and Land Use Law Society - This UF organization promotes an understanding of the legal aspects of environmental protection. Activities include seminars, workshops, conferences, research, community service, and social activities. They are affiliated with the National Association of Environmental Law Societies.
- Environmental Horticulture Club - The Environmental Horticulture Club helps students prepare for careers in the horticulture industry by making connections with industry through classes, club events, and internships; building professional skills through presentations, public interaction, and resume development; incorporating student club projects that reinforce the skills learned in horticulture classes; introducing students to different areas of the horticulture industry via field trips, guest speakers, and educational tours; and to give back something to the local community through community projects and volunteer efforts.
- The Ethnoecology Society - During recent years the Society has been active in bringing speakers to campus, organizing journal discussions, organizing field trips, and, most especially, planting and caring for the educational-experimental ethnoecology garden on the UF campus, located near the bat house. The garden has blossomed in the last years and at last count was home to 100+ economic species, grown in a number of systems from agroforestry to flooded paddies (small ones). We have an active compost program, using coffee grounds from Starbucks in Library West, extensive trellis systems, a vermiculture box, and small nursery. The garden is home to the weekly (Friday) gatherings for work, socializing, and eating. We invite you to attend.
- Face (Feminist Activists Creating Equality): the Womens’ Studies Student Association - The primary purpose of this organization is to create an environment where feminists, those who believe in and are committed to seeing equality between all people regardless of gender, race, class, sexual orientation, or nation, can come together to create change. We seek to make the personal political through activism, service, and awareness raising on campus and in the community. This may be include, but not be limited to tabling, speakers, lecturers, forums, films, retreats, and publications.
- Florida Water Environment Association, Student Chapter - This organization romotes student interest in the environment and provides an avenue for the exchange of ideas between students and members of the Florida Water Association and the Water Environment Federation. Activities include FWEF-TEC, the national Water Environmental Association conference, the FWEA state conference, and evenings with executives. The Student Chapter is affiliated with Water Environment Federation Florida Water Environment Association.
- Gator Citrus Club - GCC broadens student educational experience by maintaining contact with the fruit crop industry. The Gator Citrus Club is a multidisciplinary club composed of UF students and faculty advisors interested in citrus and other horticultural crops. The primary objective of the Citrus Club is to enhance students' opportunities for learning the diversity of agriculture in other areas of the world and to look for ways of improving our current agricultural practices at home. The Citrus Club has currently members from several different areas of agriculture, including Horticultural Sciences, Environmental Horticulture, Entomology and Nematology, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Journalism, Education and Agronomy. Activities include the Annual Holiday Citrus sale, volunteer work at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings state historic site, sponsoring the Horticultural sciences departmental awards banquet, providing travel grants to present our research at professional meetings, and inviting speakers to share some information on citrus growth and industry in US and around the world.
- Gators for a Sustainable Campus - The purpose of this organization is to increase awareness of sustainable development on campus and encourage students to lead more sustainable lives. Our mission is to help UF students contribute to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Activities include meetings, social events, guest speakers, films, tabling, and education campaigns. GSC is affiliated with the UF Office of Sustainability.
- Helping Every Little Person - H.E.L.P.'s mission is to provide an emotionally nurturing environment for disadvantaged children through positive role model enforcement. Helping Every Little Person seeks to instill the importance of self-esteem and promote the value of education by visiting the preschool centers they adopt. Activities include monthly trips to each preschool and each visit will carry with it a different theme filled with activities, creative arts and crafts, and lots of love for the children.
- Human Rights Awareness on Campus - HRAC's goal is to promote awareness and activism concerning human rights abuses around the world, particularly in cases of genocide. Their main activities include letter-writing to congressmen, senators, and other elected officials, petition-signing, demonstrations, presentations, and keynote speakers on campus.
- Ocean Aware - Ocean Aware
is a student organization dedicated to raising awareness
and actively combating the destruction
of marine and coastal environments. OA intends to accomplish
these objectives
though five enterprises:
1. Philanthropy - Raising money and resources for like-minded organizations,
2. Service - Actively restoring declining habitats,
3. Awareness - Educating others about environmental issues,
4. Internal Education- Increasing our own knowledge through guest speakers and trips,
5. Enjoyment - Trips and activities done to enjoy the beauty and intrinsic value of our beaches and oceans. Join the Facebook group for more information. - Roots and Shoots - This student organization has several missions: To make positive changes happen—for our communities, for animals, and for the environment; to share ideas and inspiration, implement successful community service projects and participate in special events and global campaigns; to promote awareness about social, political, and economic issues as they relate to environmental issues, to educate the community on ways they can help; to promote students’ interests that will lead to the improvement of the lives of animals and people in all environments; to encourage younger students care about the environment; and to setup a support network for students that care about animals and the environment. General activities include adopting a road for clean up, maintaining local natural trails, volunteering at animal shelters, hosting guest lecturers, rehabilitating forest, and educating group members and the community.
- School of Natural Resources and Environment College Council - The purpose of the NRESC is to familiarize present and potential members with the opportunities in the field of natural resources and environment; inform industry and general public about the School of Natural Resources and Environment; to develop leadership potential and create a spirit of fellowship among members; to foster the development of professional attitudes; to encourage recognition of the need for continued professional and intellectual improvement; to promote the interests of students in natural resources and environment to create opportunities for the discussion of the varied aspects and disciplines within the field of natural resources and environment; and to educate the University of Florida students and the local communities about issues concerning the environment.
- Society for Conservation Biology - The SCB is an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity. Stretching from temperate to tropical climes, Florida encompasses many ecoregions resulting in a rich biological diversity that rivals most places in North America. It is also one of the fastest growing states in terms of human population and urban sprawl, making conservation an urgent priority. Addressing these challenges in Florida, our chapter intends to continue support in conservation research and advocate science in decision-making processes at the management and policy level.
- Society for Green Mobility - Society for Green Mobility is a brand new student organization at the University of Florida. The purpose of SGM is to help advance knowledge of sustainable mobility technologies through participation in competitions, demonstration projects, and public education. Participation in these activities will produce a real engineering and business environment, stressing problem solving, budgeting, time management, and most importantly, innovation.
- Society of Environmental Engineers - SEE sponsors discussions and activities related to environmental engineering and enhances the professional awareness of its members. The organizations activities include tailgating, socials for the department, Environmental Career Forum, Earth Day speakers and events, and informative speakers throughout the year relating to Environmental Engineering.
- The Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society - The University of Florida Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society is affiliated with The Wildlife Society, Inc, the Southeastern Section, and the State Chapter, which are part of the network for the professional society for wildlife biologists. Participation in the Student Chapter of TWS is an excellent way to begin a student's wildlife career.
- Students Making Trade Fair - The primary purpose of this organization is to provide an open floor for discussion of trade-related issues, and to inform UF students about Fair Trade as a poverty-reduction mechanism. One of our main goals includes motivating students and community members to be socially conscious consumers. We will sponsor speakers and events such as benefit concerts, host debates, conduct informational forums, and give trade-related presentation. This club is currently in search of leadership; contact Dedee DeLongpré if you are interested.
- UF Greeks Going Green - Greeks Going Green is a campaign started by the Alpha Psi chapter of Delta Delta Delta to help promote environmental awareness and eco-friendliness within the Greek community at the University of Florida. Our focus will be to educate the Greek community about global warming and sustainable living practices and to consciously make lifestyle choices that reflect such education.This program is committed to encouraging members to take proactive steps within their respective houses to acknowledge this global issue, and together, take a stand towards reducing the carbon footprint of the Greek student body at the University of Florida.Greek houses are urged to implement one sustainable change a year within their house. These changes are not limited to: participating in the sorority row recycling program, switching to compact fluorescent lightbulbs in lighting fixtures, planting more trees on the property or in the community, etc. The goal of these modifications is to eventually, over a period of 7-10 years, have each house operating as environmentally sound as possible.
- UF Environment, Science, and Policy Society (ESPS) - “The primary purpose of this organization is to provide a forum within which to discuss and educate the members and the public at-large about the dynamics of the environment, science and policy making. These goals shall be achieved through public meetings, sponsorship of selected speakers, and active discussion of topics of interest to the society. This organization shall be not for profit or non-commercial in nature.” The description above is listed under Article II of the ESPS Constitution, written by Gustavo Alejandro Avila, the main founder of ESPS.
- UF Students in Free Enterprise - SIFE is a non-profit organization financially supported by over 500 corporations, entrepreneurs, individuals and foundations. UF SIFE is a two-credit hour class meeting on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3 pm -5 pm. Students selected for SIFE are expected to make a three semester commitment. SIFE teams take what they are learning in the classroom and use that knowledge to create and implement educational outreach projects in their community to educate others on five main concepts: Market Economics, Success Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, and Business Ethics. At the end of the academic year we have competitions starting at the Regional level, with a chance to win prize money and advance to the National Exposition.
- United World Organization - Through international education, experience and community service, the United World Organization aims to enable young people to become responsible citizens, politically and environmentally aware, and committed to the ideals of peace and justice, understanding and cooperation, and the implementation of these ideals through action and personal example. The United World Organization strives to bring together UF students of all nationalities to stimulate interaction, bring awareness and create understanding in order to forge world citizenship. International discussions, cultural events, and community service will be approached unconventionally through a broad spectrum of international representation, world opinion and wealth of experience that epitomizes the United World Organization.
- U.S. Green Building Council, UF Student Chapter - Our student organization’s purpose is to raise awareness of green building principles and practices among the design, construction, planning, engineering and real estate communities.
- Wetlands Club - The Wetlands Club gives those who study and enjoy wetlands an opportunity to socialize with others who share their interests. Club members learn about and explore wetlands and teach others by participating in public service projects. They also get the chance to share ideas and receive assistance from others with similar research interests.