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Sustainability

 URI Sustainabilty Program Fall 2011

 

This year, URI's Common Reading book chosen for first-year students is No Impact Man. Colin Beavan, who is the subject and author of the book, convinces his Manhattan-based family to abandon their high consumption 5th Avenue lifestyle and try to live a year while making no net environmental impact. In an effort to bring awareness to the sustainability topics described throughout the book, a series of films and activites at URI have been planned. A blog has been set up so that students, and anyone else who might have something to say, can post questions, thoughts, and ideas about the book. Supported by the Office of the Provost and developed and managed by URI students, faculty, and staff, these are learning opportunities that we hope will engage the entire campus community. 



 Week One: Author Colin Beavan visits campus

  • Wednesday, September 21: Sustainability Film Festival—No Impact Man
    Synopsis and movie trailer can be found here
    Swan Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Q&A with Stephen Marchand (English Dept.) and other URI faculty/staff/students to follow screening
  • Thursday, September 22: No Impact Man author Colin Beavan will speak about his book and his experience of trying to live with no impact on the earth.
    Edwards Hall at 3:30pm and 7:00pm 
     

Week Two: Transportation Awareness

  • Wednesday, September 28:   Sustainability Film Festival—The End of Suburbia
    Synopsis and movie trailer can be found here
    CBLS 010 at 6:30 pm.  Q&A with Prof. Norbert Mundorf, PhD (Communication Studies), Prof. Richard Sheridan, PhD (Landscape Architecture), and other URI faculty/staff/students to follow screening
  • Thursday, September 29:   Transporation vendors/organizations; Paul Masse Chevrolet Volt demo; Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA); URI Transportation Center Driving Simulator; Hertz On Demand (car share program);  Stedman Bikes, NBX Bikes (invited), and Recycle-a-Bike(invited). Plus: RIPTA bus pass give-aways!
    URI Quad, 11am-2pm
    ***Due to inclement weather, Thursday's events will be rescheduled to Thursday, October 13, 11am-2pm, as part of the Energy Conservation Awareness events (see below)**
     

Week Three:  Waste and Recycling Awareness

  • Wednesday, October 5:   Sustainability Film Festival—Wasteland
    Synopsis and movie trailer can be found here
    CBLS 010 at 6:30 pm.  Q&A with URI faculty/staff/students to follow screening
  • Thursday, October 6:   Tour of the recycling plant and landfill; Sponsored by Student Action for Sustainability (SAS), URI Waste Minimization and Recycling Office, and the Provost’s Office.
    Johnston, RI 1 to 2:30 pm. Advance registration required! Sign-up via Facebook, or email the URI Recycling Office
  • Saturday, October 8:  EPA Game Day Challenge, hosted by URI Student Action for Sustainability (SAS) / A friendly competition for colleges and universities to promote waste reduction at their football games/ Read about last year's competition here / URI tailgate lots 10am-1pm; Meade Stadium (vs. Old Dominion) 1pm
     

Week Four: Energy/Water Conservation Awareness

  • Wednesday, October 12: Sustainability Film Festival—Gasland
    Synopsis and movie trailer can be found here
    CBLS 010 at 6:30 pm.  Q&A with Chip Redihan, URI Sophomore and Philosophy and Political Science major, and other URI faculty/staff/students to follow screening
  • Thursday, October 13:   (*Rain date*) Transporation vendors/organizations:  URI Cycling Club, Paul Masse Chevrolet Volt demo; Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA); URI Transportation Center Driving Simulator; Hertz On Demand (car share program);  Stedman Bikes; and Recycle-a-Bike. Plus: RIPTA bus pass give-aways!
    URI Quad, 11am-2pm
  • Thursday, October 13:  Tour of the nuclear plant, aqua culture aquarium, and wind turbine
    URI Bay Campus, 1-4pm. Advance registration required

 

Week Five: Local Food and Agriculture Awareness

  • Wednesday, October 19: Sustainability Film Festival—Ingredients
    Synopsis and movie trailer can be found here
    CBLS 010 at 6:30 pm.  Q&A with Dr. Ingrid Lofgren (Food Science and Nutrition), and other URI faculty/staff/students to follow screening
  • Thursday, October 20: Hope and Butterfield Dining Halls will feature a fresh local “salad of the day” all week. Plus: Local Food Fair sponsored by URI Slow Foods will feature local and sustainable food vendors including Bravo Pizza, The Coffee Guy, Presto Coffee, Tallulah's Tacos, and more.
    URI Quad, 11am-2pm
     

Week Six: Activism and Civic Engagement

  • Wednesday, October 26: Sustainability Film Festival—Blue Vinyl
    Synopsis can be read here and movie trailer can be found here
    CBLS 010 at 6:30 pm.  Q&A with URI faculty/staff/students to follow screening
  • Thursday, October 27:  A fair featuring activism-related groups; possible socially responsible local businesses 
     

 


For further information on these programs, please contact via email:
Nancy Caronia, Program Organizer
Alyssa Neill, President, URI Slow Foods
Mary Brennan, Coordinator, URI Waste Minimization and Recycling
Theresa Murphy, President, Student Action for Sustainability (SAS)
CJ Sanchez, Vice President, Student Action for Sustainability (SAS)
Gema Vinuales, URI Transportation Center
Marsha Garcia, Campus Sustainability Officer

 

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