10:00 am: People Forming the #350 Outside on the Moraine GreenDuring third week of October, Colleges, Universities, and organized groups will focus on the number 350. Why 350? This is the maximum number of parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide (CO2) that scientists have determined will allow ecosystems on the earth function efficiently and in a healthy manner. Currently the earth registers at 390 ppm of CO2. On Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am, MVCC students, professors, and staff are invited to voluntarily participate in making a human number 350 out on the Moraine Green, near the Gateway. Glen Carpenter, Moraine’s Photographer, will take a photo and it will be posted on the 350.org website along with others from around the world. For more educational information, log onto www.350.org. If you are interested in bringing a class to participate in the photo, please contact Michelle Zurawski, Assistant Professor of Biology and Sustainability Coordinator of Teaching & Learning – zurawski@morainevalley.edu or (708) 974-5559.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Environmental & Social Justice Activities in the Student UnionThere will be activities and information tables in the Student Union/Café Moraine area. From 11 to 2, students, staff and faculty are invited to stop by and learn about national and regional organizations and activities that promote a healthy environment for people and the planet. Organizations highlighted are focused on environmental and social justice campaigns. Calculate your eco-footprint, identify safe cosmetics and body care choices, discover local and national groups working towards a sustainable future and what you can do to help, and learn more about sustainability. The goal for the day is to encourage others to become interested, involved and active in positive organizations promoting a safe and healthy future for everyone. For more information, please contact Stephenie Presseller, Sustainability Coordinator – pressellers@morainevalley.edu or (708) 974-5412.
The library hosted our final One Book, One College event. This event was a panel discussion featuring members of Moraine Valley’s Green Team who discussed the successes and obstacles facing our campus in terms of sustainability. The discussion is available online:
It’s Earth Week, and there are many things happening around MVCC.
All Week
Recycling Project Donate used towels, sheets, blankets, comforters, and rugs (without rubber backings) for local animal shelters. Collection boxes around campus.
Bookstore Sale Save 25 percent off (almost) everything green, including green clothing, DVDs, CDs, pens, recycled products, and more! (Exceptions: textbooks and reference books)
Student Club HappeningsStudent clubs will host activities during the week. Stop by the Student Life Office in Building U.
Carpool with CyridesCarpool with Moraine Valley’s ride-sharing program and you’ll automatically be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $50 gas gift card. cyrides.morainevalley.edu
Beverage Discounts—Bring your own cup!Café Moraine – 50 percent off 12 and 16 oz. coffee or 20 and 30 oz. fountain drinks.
Espresso Love – 50 cents off 16 and 20 oz. coffee
Online Ecological Footprint QuizDo you know how much of an impact you as an individual make on the environment? Take this short quiz and find out. earthday.net/footprint
Wear Green—show your support!
Monday, April 20
Guided Tree Walks – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Building T (canceled due to weather) Presented by the Morton Arboretum staff. Learn more about the fascinating aspects of Moraine Valley’s beautiful trees. Meet at Building T front entrance. Walks depart every 30 minutes.
Tuesday, April 21
Prairie Path – 9 a.m., Building PLearn about the native vs. exotic plant species on the Nature Study Area. Presented by Professor Janet Kotash. Presented by professor Janet Kotash. Meet at the big rock by Building P.
Information Booth 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Building G, Cyclone CenterHave lunch at the Taste of Moraine Valley and be sure to visit our table with information about green cleaning products, environmentally friendly Bookstore items, and more. Free seedlings while supplies last. Tickets to the Taste are available at the door for $5.
Geography Bee2 p.m., Building L, LibraryCorrectly answer multiple-choice questions and move on to the next round. Miss one—you’re out. Pick up a registration form and rules in Building B, Room B244, or just come by to watch!
Wednesday, April 22
Green Team and Sustainability Update: What’s Happening at Moraine Valley and What Lies Ahead – Panel Discussion1 p.m., Building L, LibraryMembers of Moraine Valley’s Green Team discuss the sustainability efforts going on around campus and challenges the lie ahead. Also view interesting fair-trade projects created by Instructor Anette D’Silva’s economics students.
Thursday, April 23
Geography Fair10 a.m.-3 p.m., Building B, second floor bridgePresent a poster, research project, or the use of maps to cover one of the following topics: sustainability, globalization, water issues, international conflicts, migration, or fair trade. Pick up a registration form and rules in Building B, Room B244, or just come by to see the displays!
Nature Study Area Stewardship Walk3:30-5 p.m., Nature Study AreaHelp beautify our prairie while learning about fire’s effect on biodiversity. Wear long pants and boots or closed-toed shoes. Sponsored by the Biology Club and Biology Department.
Friday, April 24
Composting11 a.m.-2 p.m., Student UnionLearn all about it! Conducted by the University of Illinois Extension Service.
The library was happy to host a special event as part of our One Book, One College series. This event, “Creating Sustainable Communities,” featured area leaders who discussed green efforts in the Southwest Suburban Region. Panel members included: Jerry Bennett, Mayor of Palos Hills; Daniel J. McLaughlin, Mayor of Orland Park; Reggie Greenwood, Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation; David Chandler, Center for Neighborhood Technology; and Chris Slattery, The Delta Institute, Stephanie Presseller, Moraine Valley Community College.
The library was happy to hosts the Biology Club’s showing of the National Teach In’s Solutions for the First 100 Days, a student panel discussion, and a letter writing campaign to President Obama. You can watch the video Solutions for the First 100 Days online. You can listen to the student panel discussion here:
Here is a site for our instructors, Play a Greater Part. According to their about page, this site is,
is dedicated to bringing together people with research projects in sustainability with others who have the time and interest to help perform the research.
This website connects post-secondary students with an interest in sustainability to professionals who need help with a project regarding sustainability. The site is available to all types of organizations (e.g. business, government, non-profits) and the public for viewing and submitting projects.
We hope this site will help those in the fields of sustainability gain the needed human resources for performing their research, and that it will enable students to see how they can use their academic work to contribute to the solutions to our societal problems.
This site was created by the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) in collaboration with the U. S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
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