La Jolla, CA
Chapter Name: Student Sustainability Collective
Chapter Email: [email protected]
Chapter Website: http://studentsustainability.ucsd.edu/
Representatives: Sacha Manier and Andrew Uribe
Mission Statement
Our mission is to promote a comprehensive understanding of sustainability within the UCSD community while organizing and developing a network of collaborative efforts, in order to drive the implementation of sustainable practices and policies.
History/Achievements
The Student Sustainability Collective was formed in 2009 by a student referendum and the Sustainability Resource Center was formed one year later. Since then we have instituted the strongest Fair Trade policy at any University in the Nation. We have phased out water bottles in dining halls and our Housing and Dining and Hospitality will be plastic water bottle free by 2014. We have installed hydration stations throughout campus to promote reusable water bottle use. This year we have removed styrofoam from the campus, have passed a divestment resolution from fossil fuels through our Associated Students, and created a new position within A.S. called the AVP of Environmental and Social Justice Education. In 2013, we updated our mission statement and restructured our paid staff positions. We are currently in the works of rewriting our Charter.
Opportunities
We are currently hiring for next year’s collective and have internship opportunities available during the next school cycle. We have opportunities for education at our Sustainable Job Fair. Students can host a booth with information concerning different sustainability topics.
Current Projects
- Water bottle Ban Divest from Fossil Fuels UC San Diego’s First Annual Sustainable Job Fair
- Hosting Winona La Duke and Van Jones Panel
- Advocacy for retrofits and alternative transportation
- Anti Militarization Education
- Anti Drone Panel with Amnesty International and Code Pink
- Compost Program
- Fair Trade audits, awareness, education, and expansion of policy
- Reusable Dishware Rental Program
- Education on borders and the social and environmental impacts
- Food Justice
- Restructuring our Charter
CSSC Council Representatives
Sacha Maniar
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
Graduation/Transfer: June 2013
About Me
This is Sacha’s 4th year at UC San Diego. She has been involved in numerous on campus organizations (including the Student Sustainability Collective). Last year she went to Washington DC for UCDC and interned at the National Geographic. She also taught a middle school science class (creating the syllabus!) which included the simulation of dinosaur bone excavation. She spends her free time talking to her sister on the phone, performing songs in front of the mirror and playing games like taboo, cranium and apples to apples.
How I got Involved in CSSC
She started as at the Student Sustainability Collective as an intern in her 3rd year. She worked in civil and human rights. Today, she works as one of the Intersectionality Coordinators, a position a part of the CSSC. She attended her first Convergence in the fall.
The Role of Student Action in Sustainability
Students have the ability to push for sustainability today and in the future. When we strive for sustainability, companies, organizations, etc. will step up as well. Our passion now will translate to answers for the future. Not only this, but our people power and ability to organize can make actual change now (eg divesting from apartheid South Africa).
The Areas of Sustainability that Interest Me Most
I am focused on sustainability in terms of civil and human rights. I am most passionate about the environmental justice movement through dealing with environmental racism.
Projects I have worked on
I am working on presenting an environmental racism workshop to all of our college councils. I have also worked with the other Intersectionality Coordinators to promote our affiliates program, which helps to build our progressive community. I am also working on a Sustainable Job fair in May. The Student Sustainability Collective at UCSD is working to ban styrofoam on campus (it is almost all gone at this point), as well as installing hydration stations, banning selling plastic water bottles on the whole campus and strengthening our fair trade policy.
Andrew Uribe
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Pico Rivera, CA
Graduation/Transfer: June 2015
About Me:
I am a student at UCSD who became very politically active my first year and hope to continue as well as spread that energy. I play the trombone whenever I can and like drumming on anything I can get my hands on. I care about social sustainability and how it relates to many environmental issues as well.
How I got Involved in CSSC:
I joined the Student Sustainability Collective at UCSD which is affiliated with the CSSC. Since I joined as the position of Intersectionality Coordinator I was our groups representative. After jumping from group to group my first year I found out about the SSC and joined right up.
The Role of Student Action in Sustainability:
Students should be actively pushing for change at their campuses and communities. The fact the universities are tied into so many aspects of society empowers students to put pressure on administrations and get big changes.
The Areas of Sustainability that Interest Me Most:
I am interested in social sustainability, specifically the treatment of workers, unions, and other fair trade issues.
Projects I have worked on:
I help run the affiliate program at UCSD which connects us with a growing number of groups that all have to do with sustainability. I also help put on workshops to these groups and help plan our winter affiliate retreat. I also sit on a board that gives out TGIF grants.