Sustainability Committee
About the Committee
The United Student Government (USG) Sustainability Committee seeks to make our university a sustainable institution. We believe that as a Jesuit university, Fordham has a responsibility to care for the continuing health of the planet and its people. Our objective is to pursue concrete, effective initiatives that advance the goal of a healthy, viable future. We push every student, faculty, and staff member to reduce their present environmental impact while also seeking to imbue them with a long-term sustainable mindset.
Meetings are held at 6 pm EST on Wednesdays in room ILC 2-124 in CSC.
If you have any questions, contact us on Instagram at usgsustainability, fordham.flea, or email usgsustainability@fordham.edu.
Initiatives
- The Sustainability Committee seeks to advocate for student interests in the area of Sustainability.
- Acts as a liaison to the Sustainability Council, administration, faculty, staff, and the student body about issues of sustainability.
- Serves as student body representative on issues in sustainability.
- Advocates for a shift towards a sustainable culture on campus.
- Oversees the implementation of sustainable changes within the Fordham community and follows through on the progress and maintenance of these initiatives.
- Identifies key issues of sustainability on campus by surveying the state of campus sustainability, as well as consulting other students about their concerns and bringing them to the attention of the committee.
Members
Olivia Griffin (Chair)
E-Board
Meredith Leahy
Olivia Griffin
Jayden Curtis
Lauren Larsen
Sinclair McKinney
General Board
Kathryn Macmillan
Kamalani Soriano
Anna Brown
Catherine Dalton
Allie Mayerson
Sofia Parra
Catherine Duckenfield
Sara Plomondon
Maisie Mcadams
Joshua Fiorentino
Olivia Storck
Riley Good
Cecilia Lodge
Eva Clyne
Caitlin Reed
Audrey Shooner
Zoe Comstock
Chapin Fish
Ayden Johnson
Naomi Andrews
Tatum Holderied
Quentin Strange
Tasnimah Rahman
Brigid Byrnes
Madison Cossaboom
Kelly Morrison
Important Links
Follow us on Social Media!
USG Sustainability Committee Statements
- A Statement Against Fast Fashion
- Native Plants Proposal
- Finlay Garden Proposal
- Proposal for the Reintroduction of Personal Cups at On-Campus Dining Locations
- Green Roof/Rooftop Garden Proposal
- Proposal for the Introduction of Composting at the Rose Hill Campus
Resources for students passionate about studying or becoming involved with sustainability at Fordham!
Courses
These courses offer discussions and/or science-based reasonings related to sustainability and environmentalism!
Environmental Justice (PJST 3200)
Environmental Economics (ECON 3850)
Environmental Ethics (PHIL 4409)
Religion and Ecology (THEO 4008)
Designing the City (VART 2050)
Environmental Design (VART 2055)
Politics Urban Health and Environment (POSC 3131)
Intro to Environmental Politics (POSC 3312)
Environmental Science (ENVS 3000)
Ecology and Economics of Food Systems (BISC 4035)
Events
- Annual or semesterly events are available for students to participate in or learn about sustainability efforts on campus, and how to live more sustainably in general. Sustainability Week: One week of programming in the fall semester, (October 21 – 25, 2024) with events on the Rose Hill campus to promote sustainable living to college students! The events held throughout this week include Flower Pressing Bookmarks, Student Lectures, Paint a Pumpkin, Plant a Seed, and Clean Up with Seaj. Earth Week: One week of programming in the spring semester (April 21-25, 2025) with events celebrating the environment we live in and exploring ways we can better care for it.
Professors
Craig Frank, Director of Environmental Science, frank@fordham.edu
Stephen Franks, Department of Biological Sciences, franks@fordham.edu
Edward van Buren (Director of Environmental Studies and Peace & Justice Studies), evanburen@fordham.edu
Julie Kim, Director of English, jukim@fordham.edu
Guy Robinson, Department of Natural Science (LC), grobinson@fordham.edu
Justin Pool, Biological Sciences Department, jpool1@fordham.edu
Garnet Kindervater, Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty, gkindervater@fordham.edu
Sophia Huda, Peace and Justice/Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty, shuda6@fordham.edu
Andrew Simons, Economics Department, asimons5@fordham.
Marc Conte, Economics Department, mconte7@fordham.
Internships
Training for lobbying to Congress with a 15-week certification program, and becoming involved in outreach related to sustainability Citizen Climate HigherEd
Climate Solutions Internship with the Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo), available to students living in or attending university in the Bronx. https://bronxzoo.com/
Opportunities to volunteer related to environmental stewardship through the AmeriCorps program: NYC Civic Corps
More opportunities are coming since the opening of the Louis Calder Center, Fordham’s biological research station in Armonk, New York for volunteering with professors, or possible job and internship studies for Environmental Studies and Environmental Science students, or other interested students. Fordham Louis Calder Center
For other internship opportunities: Potential contacts include Vincent Burke, director of Sustainability, or Nelinda Labate, Grant Proposal & Funding Manager at the Office of Sustainability. https://www.
Further databases for students interested in internships and jobs related to sustainability:
Department of Environmental Conservation
Volunteering/Organizations
Environmental Stewardship Organizations in the Bronx:
Educational Organizations:
WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)
Government/Public Policy-Based Organizations:
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality
Clubs
SEAJ: Students for Environmental Awareness and Justice
- Help spread awareness of major sustainability issues both globally and in the Bronx, and spreading awareness of climate events for social activism in New York. Meets every Wednesday.
Climate Impact: Part of Fordham’s Social Innovation Collaboratory
- Writing proposals and leading sustainability efforts on campus, including leading Sustainability and Earth Week events
Fordham Sustainable Fashion
- Research and education about sustainable fashion
Outdoors Club
- Giving students the opportunity to hike, rock climb, and be physically active in nature outside Fordham.
SPES Nova
- Selling artisanal goods aimed at being sustainable