The University of St. Thomas will point a spotlight on the expansive sustainability efforts its students, faculty and staff practice with the fourth annual Celebrate sUSTainability Week.
"Celebrate sUSTainability week is an opportunity to highlight some of the sustainable initiatives of campus and bring into better focus the importance of being a sustainable university," said Bob Douglas, chair of the UST Sustainability Committee. "Sustainability is a broad topic that is more than just reducing carbon emissions. What we do now to sustain our environment determines what kind we will be living in the future and what our children will have for their lives."
The UST Sustainability Committee invites all students, staff and faculty to events scheduled throughout the week.
Monday, Oct. 6-Thursday, Oct. 9: The UST Scavenger Hunt runs four days and all UST students are eligible to participate. Work in teams or on your own to track down sustainability efforts on campus. Details about registration, rules, prizes and scavenger hunt items are available online.
Monday, Oct. 6-Wednesday, Oct. 8: The annual Office Supply Swap will coincide this year with Sustainability Week, showcasing the practice of passing on materials instead of trashing them. From 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday bring new or gently used general office supplies to Anderson Athletic and Recreation Center 207. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday visit the AARC lobby to shop through (for free) what others have dropped off.
Tuesday, Oct. 7: Witness for Peace: Cactus speakers Josefa Gomez and Leonardo Luna Alzate will discuss the human rights crisis in the Colombian flower industry. They will speak noon-1 p.m. in McNeely Hall 100.
Tuesday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 9: Undergraduate Student Government Sustainability will be selling coffee mugs for discounted coffee refills in the Anderson Student Center over convo hour, eliminating future need for the purchase and trashing of paper cups. Contact Margaret Chelsvig for details.
Thursday, Oct. 9: A brown bag lunch discussion will be held noon-1 p.m. at the Anderson Student Center James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall South. Speakers Adam Kay, Bob Douglas and Sarah Ramler will discuss a wide range of sustainability topics from around campus, including an overarching look at practices already in place, the Sustainability Committee's work and the Recycling Team's efforts.
Friday, Oct. 10: The last UST Farmer's Market of 2014 will feature the season's final chance to buy fresh produce and flowers. The market will run from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. outside of ASC's main doors. In the case of poor weather the event will be inside on the second floor.
For more information about conservation efforts at St. Thomas see the Sustainability at UST website and the Recycling Program website.
For more information about Sustainability Week contact Bob Douglas, chair of the UST Sustainability Committee, (651) 962-6388.
