4
3-star green-certified restaurants on campus
100%
Main campus is powered by renewable energy
100%
Res halls rated EPA Energy Star (1st US university to do so!)
What is Sustainability Advocates?
Sustainability Advocates is a residence hall peer-to-peer education and engagement program that aims to encourage sustainable thought and action across campus. The program is managed by the Engagement and Outreach Intern at the Sustainability Institute and implemented by the Sustainability Advocates within the residence halls.
"Throughout my experience as an Advocate, socials have been one of the most fun parts. Planning these socials with your Hall Council and engaging students is beneficial for other leadership opportunities you may encounter at UNH and in the future. Having to plan the marketing and coordinating with a team is especially helpful for future employment opportunities. Although socials looked a lot different this year due to COVID-19, they were still fun to plan. It's a rewarding feeling to see all your hard work at an event when residents attend. Advocate socials focus on sustainability, and many Advocates ran socials that were unique to them and their dorms." ~ Amy Overhulser '24, Human Development and Family Studies
Interested in learning more about the program?
We view sustainability as a collective commitment to human dignity for all people and ecological integrity in all places. It is built upon an inter-generational, ethical obligation that holds social justice, collaboration, and inclusive prosperity to be essential to fulfill diverse human potential and preserve the health of the planet upon which we all depend.
"I enjoyed being an active part of my Hall Council and weighing in with a sustainable perspective when planning hall socials and events. Additionally, I enjoyed interacting with residents and improving their knowledge of how to be sustainable. I was surprised by how interested they were in being sustainable!"
~Eli Duggan '23, Bioengineering
Members Work Together Toward Goals
The primary campus level goals are to:
- Educate students about topics in sustainability at the individual, campus, and community level,
- Encourage students about ways to implement sustainable practices within their lives and their communities, and
- Connect students to resources and opportunities to gain volunteer and/or professional experience in sustainability.
To achieve these goals, the Sustainability Advocates work with their hall councils to develop and host sustainability focused events within or between their residence halls. These events merge creativity, education, and engagement, showing hall residents that sustainability is important, personal, and fun. Common events include campus clean-ups, movie nights, recycling sort competitions, etc.
At an advocate level, the primary goals are to:
- Lead by example as a peer educator and sustainability initiator,
- Gain leadership, communication, and planning skills,
- Connect with like-minded individuals through dialogue and teamwork, and
- Learn from and connect with sustainability professionals.
To achieve these goals, the Engagement and Outreach Intern hosts weekly meetings to educate the Sustainability Advocates about sustainability on- and off-campus, guides discussions with the Sustainability Advocates about current events in the sustainability field, and helps the Sustainability Advocates plan residence hall events. The Engagement and Outreach Intern also invites guest speakers to meetings and arranges field trips to allow the Sustainability Advocates to learn from and connect with sustainability professionals.
Sustainability Advocates Spotlights
-
Sustainability Advocate, Mini DormsEmily was a senior studying Neuroscience and Behavior and minoring in Zoology with a focus on Animal Behavior and Conservation. As a native of Fryeburg, Maine, she has always enjoyed being in nature with her family and learning about the environmental issues facing the White Mountains and Western Maine Lakes Region. Emily has been the Sustainability Advocate in the Mini Dorms since the fall…Learn More -
Sustainability Advocate, Hunter HallLauren was a freshman studying Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Biology, as well as completing a dual major in Sustainability. In high school, she worked as a Live Blue Ambassador volunteer for the New England Aquarium. She also created a pilot composting program for her high school and was president of the Environmental Club. Lauren was a School the World volunteer in Guatemala and Panama where…Learn More -
Sustainability Advocates, Sawyer HallEmily was a freshman studying Business Administration with options in Accounting and Finance and minoring in Spanish. Emily was the Sustainability Advocate for Sawyer Hall. Her favorite part of the position was interacting with Advocates from the other halls and discussing issues such as dining sustainability. She planned a Kahoot social for Sawyer Hall and hopes to plan more in the future. In…Learn More -
Sustainability Advocate, Handler HallEli was a sophomore studying Bioengineering and minoring in Philosophy. His favorite part of being a Sustainability Advocate for Handler Hall was learning from his fellow Advocates and sharing their knowledge with Handler residents. As a Sustainability Advocate, Eli worked to increase residents’ awareness of the magnitude of plastic pollution and its connection to the petroleum industry through…Learn More -
Sustainability Advocate, Haaland HallDaniel was a freshman studying Environmental Science: Ecosystems. In the fall semester, he hosted a sustainability trivia night for his dorm, offering an interactive way to learn about environmental issues and how the UNH practices sustainability on its campus. As a Sustainability Advocate, he enjoyed being a resource to inform others about current green initiatives. Daniel, an outdoorsman,…Learn More
