The GSA Sustainability Committee represents the concerns of graduate students to the GSA, the University, and the community. We are working with University staff to understand and communicate the status of sustainability efforts on the Rice campus. We also plan and host events to inform and engage the graduate student body in important issues concerning sustainability and the environment.
Our Mission
Inform both graduate students and the greater Rice community about the importance of sustainability efforts.
Engage graduate students in sustainability focused projects and activities.
Impact the University's sustainability efforts by driving policies that reduce waste, save energy, and mitigate Rice's environmental effect.
Past & Ongoing Projects
Information Campaign: Improve signage and communication with campus facilities staff about recycling and trash waste (including recycling of plastic pipette tip boxes in laboratories), distribute information from Rice's Office of Sustainability, host trivia night-style events
Biking @ Rice: V-bikes, bike to work day, biking/parking incentives, discounts at Rice Bikes, etc.
Food @ Rice: Offer delicious vegetarian and vegan options at on-campus events we host
GSA & Valhalla Waste Reduction: Encourage reusable cups & reusable water bottles, compostable plates & forks for events, etc.
Residential Waste Reduction: Initiated residential composting program at Rice-owned graduate apartments (RGA, RVA, and RVT) and promote the program annually during Thanksgiving dinner events, subsidize membership fees at the Graduate Student Loan Closet to promote reuse of household items
Art x Sustainability: Use art as a medium to not only raise awareness of social and environmental problems, but also to highlight the importance of creativity when addressing these problems
Have Ideas? Want to join?
Contact the GSA VP of Student Advocacy (gsaadvocacy@rice.edu) and/or join the GSA Sustainability e-list at https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/gsa-sustainability.
Check out Rice's Sustainability progress here!