Get Involved with Sustainability at UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2016) — Deadlines are approaching to apply for two great opportunities to get involved with sustainability at the University of Kentucky next year. The Office of Sustainability is seeking applications for five paid internships and the Student Sustainability Council is seeking applications for at-large seats.

“Both of these opportunities provide students with exciting and hands-on experiences shaping sustainability initiatives on our campus," said UK Sustainability Coordinator Shane Tedder.

Student Internships:

The Office of Sustainability partners with the Student Sustainability Council and the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (TFISE) to provide exciting and meaningful undergraduate internship opportunities. Each internship is tied to an existing sustainability-related program at the university (host program), including operational units such as UK Recycling and faculty working groups like the Urban Forest Initiative. All internships are paid and interns are expected to work eight to10 hours per week. Approximately half of the hours will be spent supporting the work of the host program and the other half will be focused on developing an independent student-led project.

The five positions for 2016-2017 are:

1.    Recycling and Waste Reduction

2.    Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Renewables

3.    Promotions and Outreach for the Office of Sustainability

4.    Urban Forest Initiative Working Group

5.    Built Environment Working Group

The deadline to apply is March 26, 2016. For more information about the internships, visit www.uky.edu/sustainability/student-internships.

Student Sustainability Council:

The Student Sustainability Council (SSC) is pleased to open a call for At-large Member Applications for the 2016-2017 academic year. The SSC is a registered student organization, composed of representatives from other student organizations and at-large members, and is responsible for the distribution of the Environmental Stewardship Fee (ESF). This fee generates more than $160,000 each year and the SSC distributes these funds to a wide variety of sustainability-focused projects. At-large members on the council have a vote and voice, working with student peers to ensure that the ESF is spent on programs that accurately represent the voice of the student body as well as promote sustainability on UK’s campus.

“The SSC is a fantastic way to gain connections with like-minded students, faculty and staff across our campus, and to become a part of a network of people working diligently to advance sustainability principles at UK and in our surrounding community," said Ellen Green, outreach director for the SSC and a junior double-majoring in environmental and sustainability studies and sustainable agriculture.

The deadline to apply is March 20, 2016. More information about the SSC can be found at www.uky.edu/sustainability/student-sustainability-council. 

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu