Campus Sustainability Summit: Event Program

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32nd Annual Campus Sustainability Summit

April 22-23, 2025
University Memorial Center

Free and open to ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø students, faculty, staff and community.

Event ProgramÌý ÌýStudent Ideas ShowcaseÌý Ìý

Tuesday, April 22

12-5 p.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom (west side)

Join the Environmental Center for a campus-wide swap shop! ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø students, faculty and staff can donate or pick up items like clothing, accessories, outdoor gear, office supplies, housewares and more. You don’t need to bring anything to take new items from this free event.Ìý

Experts from the E-Center and Art Parts Creative Reuse Center will teach clothing mending and provide materials to create an on-the-go sewing kit. Campus and community partners will also share sustainable resources.Ìý

Donate items to the Environmental Center in UMC 355 Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. from April 8–18, or on the day of the event at the UMC Ballroom.Ìý

1-4 p.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Attend this showcase of projects and ideas addressing climate and sustainability challenges from students across the various ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø colleges. Student projects will compete for $5,000 in cash prizes. Stop by anytime between 1-4 p.m. to browse and vote for your favorite.Ìý Winners will be announced at 4 p.m.Ìý

1-4 p.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Representatives from campus programs and departments will showcase their climate and sustainability initiatives.ÌýÌý

3:30-4:45 p.m. | UMC Room 235

Undergraduate students from Climate Action Planning, a course developed and taught entirely by interdisciplinary CU graduate students, will present ideas for how the university can reduce its carbon emissions. Four teams will present, detailing their ideas for how CU can reduce emissions in student and parent travel, business travel, transportation and waste.Ìý

7 p.m. | Boulder Theater (2032 14th St.)

Join us at this companion evening event celebrating the power of comedy to ignite climate awareness and action. Two professional comedians from New York City will headline the event interspersed with brief sketch comedy by students from the CU Creative Climate Communication course. Invite friends and family to this free Earth Day show at the Boulder Theater! Live music to follow. .Ìý

Wednesday, April 23

9-10:15 a.m. | UMC Room 247

With the intensifying climate crisis and increasing frequency of extreme weather events, disaster preparedness is crucial for building resilient communities. Join Boulder’s Office of Disaster Management to increase your personal preparedness. During this one-hour workshop, you'll learn about Boulder County's hazards, emergency alerts and personal risk assessment, and understand how to create your own disaster preparedness plan.Ìý

10:30-11:30 a.m. | UMC Room 245

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) is a comprehensive framework that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. achieved a gold rating and showcases the university’s achievements across five categories: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership. In this session, staff who served as the category leads will share key data and performance metrics from the current report and recommendations for campus actions and strategy.

11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Advance registration required by April 14 for meal planning.Ìý

The Campus Sustainability Awards honor individuals and departments at ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø for their efforts in reducing resource use, enhancing social equity and fostering a culture of sustainability through innovative programs.Ìý

1-1:45 p.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Join Chancellor Justin Schwartz in conversation with Jane Zelikova, executive director of CU’s new Sustainability Research Initiative, and Andrew Mayock, the inaugural vice chancellor for sustainability. They will discuss their shared visions and map out the path forward for campus sustainability and climate action.

2-3:15 p.m. | UMC Room 245

Join us for an engaging discussion on the latest developments in ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the strategies driving sustainable change and solutions across campus. This panel will provide updates on the progress of CAP initiatives, featuring insights from key implementers who are leading the charge. Learn which strategies are gaining momentum and how they are advancing our sustainability goals.ÌýÌý

In addition to the environmental impact, the panel will explore the equity benefits tied to these actions, illustrating how the plan is also enacting social benefits. Discover how ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø is not only making strides in reducing its carbon footprint but also fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus community through climate action.ÌýÌý

2-3:15 p.m. | UMC Aspen Room

A resilient food system involves sustainable agriculture, disaster-resistant infrastructure and safety nets for vulnerable populations. This panel of local change leaders will explore solutions and opportunities and share innovative programs that support both food security and nutrition.Ìý

PanelistsÌý

  • Eliah Golden, Campus Dining Services
  • Mackenzie Sehlke, Boulder County Famers Markets
  • Lauren Kelso, Growing Gardens of Boulder County; Flatirons Farmers Coalition
  • Sophie Egan, Full Table Solutions; Menus of Change University Research Collaborative
  • Grace Hutchens, CU Farm and Garden ClubÌý

3:30-4:45 p.m. | UMC Aspen Room

This panel session will showcase the ongoing development of academic pathways in climate, sustainability and justice for undergraduate students that span colleges and departments. The design work is supported by a collaborative model that includes faculty and students from across the university, as well as community-based organizations. The session will introduce a set of design principles for climate, sustainability and justice education, report on students’ hopes and concerns for these topics, and present the proposed pathways. Members of the Climate, Sustainability and Justice Faculty and Student Working Groups will present and facilitate.ÌýÌý

3:30-4:45 p.m. | UMC Room 247

Collaborative efforts and joint problem-solving are key to achieving a circular economy. Join ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø and City of Boulder staff to explore successes, opportunities, challenges and ideas for greatest impact. Presenters will share initiatives such as reusable serviceware, students move-in and move-out, and recovery and repurposing of surplus items.

6-9 p.m. | Boulder Theater (2032 14th St.)

Join us at this companion evening event to watch top entrepreneurs pitch their innovative business ventures live to a panel of judges and compete for a share of $325,000. ÌýRSVP for this free event.Ìý

Program Highlights:

Featured Presenters

More info coming soon