This year, the College celebrated its 13th annual Campus Sustainability Week, October 21-24 with the theme "Innovation for Our Environment."  The week’s programs, planned by a committee of faculty, staff, and students, featured keynote speaker Frances Moore Lappé on Tuesday, October 22, at 7 p.m. in the Nelly Goletti Theatre and is free and open to the public   Her lecture, "Innovation for Our Environment: Finding Hope Through Democratic Action" was part of the Academic Affairs Lecture Series with support from School of Science, Student Programming Council (SPC) and Campus Ministry. 

 

Ms. Lappé has authored or co-authored 19 books about world hunger, living democracy, and the environment, beginning with the three-million copy Diet for a Small Planet in 1971. In Fall 2017, she coauthored Daring Democracy: Igniting Power, Meaning, and Connection for the America We Want with Adam Eichen.  Frances is the cofounder of three organizations, including Oakland-based think tank Food First, and more recently, the Small Planet Institute, which she leads with her daughter, Anna Lappé. Frances and her daughter have also cofounded the Small Planet Fund, which channels resources to democratic social movements worldwide.                          

                       

In addition to Ms. Lappé’s remarks, the week’s events included:     

Monday, October 21, 5:00 p.m., Student Center 3105:

Earth Ally program -  a voluntary program in which students, faculty and staff members interested in sustainability issues come together to learn about environmental topics and advance the mission of sustainability at Marist. Recipients commit to completing an iLearn-based training program, attending related events on campus, and making personal lifestyle choices that reflect the values of sustainability and stewardship. After completing the program, participants can proudly identify as certified Earth Allies.  

 

Tuesday, October 22, 7:00 p.m., Student Center, Nelly Golletti Theatre

“Innovation for Our Environment: Finding Hope Through Democratic Action”, keynote speaker Frances Moore Lappé (see information above)   

 

Wednesday, October 23

11:00 a.m.: One hour guided walk of Fern Tor, the College’s natural area located at north end of campus.  Meet in front of Ward Hall, North Campus Housing 

  5:00 – 6:30 p.m., Student Center 3101, Student Science Showcase, School of Science

  5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Student Center, 3^rd floor hallway, educational and information displays, featuring:

• Bookbinding demonstration with recycled paper
• Citizen’s Climate Lobby
• Earth Ally program
• Ethical Fashion Initiative repurposing workshop
• Fair Trade
• Marist Compost
• Marist Votes registration drive
• Ride Share NY

Thursday, October 24: 

  5:00 p.m., Student Center 3102, Marist Composting workshop featuring the film “Dive” (2010, 45 min.) which explores food waste in America

  7:00 p.m., North End Dining, McCormick Hall, Sustainability Mystery Basket Chef Challenge featuring Marist chefs preparing a meal from a basket of food leftovers