Student-Led Sustainability Projects
Grant funding and internships may be available to work on these projects. See our Student Led Project Opportunities page for details.
Past/Ongoing Projects:
Below are some examples of work that has been done by students in collaboration with the ASMSU Sustainablity Center. Notes indicate what has been done and areas that could benefit from additional work.
| Topic | Project Description | Date | Next Steps Needed |
Responsible Purchasing |
In Spring 2010 a student project led to the passage of a Responsible Purchasing Resolution by the ASMSU Student Senate and creation of a Responsible Purchasing Handbook for use by ASMSU Administration and Committees. |
Spring 2010 | Need ongoing development and update of resources (lists of preferred products, guidelines, etc.) and outreach to ASMSU committees regarding implementation. Could include work on university wide level and opportunity to collaborate with Campus Sustainablity Advisory Council purchasing working group. |
MSU Waste Audits |
Ongoing effort to spot audit and sort of waste on the MSU campus to assess efficacy of recycling program and to identify composition of the MSU waste stream. |
Ongoing |
Should be repeated at least yearly. Opportunity to revise strategy to improve accuracy of information. Collaboration with MSU Facilities |
Composting |
Students have partnered with University Food Services and MSU Facilities to assist with coordination of 2 pilot projects for composting in the dining halls. |
Ongoing | Additional assistance is needed to evaluate pilot data and make recommendations for a full-fledged program. |
| Voluntary Payroll Donation | Conducted a survey of university employees on their willingness to contribute financially to campus sustainability, as students currently do. | Spring 2010 | Need to futher evaluate feasibility with HR. Identify options and propose who would hold funds and how what programs they would be used to support. |
| Bike Share Program | The Sustainablity Center has begun discussing the possiblity of developing a commuter/cruiser bike share/rental program with ASMSU Outdoor Rec and the Western Transportation Institute. | Ongoing | Research bikes and costs. Write grant applications. Research other school's bike programs. Identify campus and/or community partners that could help. |
| ResLife Sustainability Handbook | A reference book for RA's and Interhall RHA leadership about sustainability on our campus, with examples of what other schools are doing. | 2010-11 | Ongoing development and updates will be needed (content, editing, and graphic design). Additional outreach to ResLife student leaders and administrators to strengthen collaboration. |
| Recycling Efficiency Improvement | A group of students in the Engineering Design (ENGR310) course designed a trailer and modifications for the recycling truck to make the collection process more efficient. | Spring 2011 | |
| Take Back the Tap | ASMSU is working on an ongoing campaign with NECO to reduce the use of bottled water on campus through educational outreach. TBTT is a national campaign to reduce/eliminate the use of bottled water. | Ongoing | Develop ideas to increase visibility/effectiveness of the campaign. Organize students to lobby Food Service and MSU to stop selling bottled water and branding bottled water with the MSU logo. |
| Stadium Recycling Optimization | An student intern evaluted existing recycling program at Bobcat stadium and made recommendations for improvements. | Fall 2011 | Opportunity to assist with implementation of proposed changes through collaboration with MSU Sports Facilities & Athletics in summer/fall 2012 |
| Sustainability Course Inventory | A s student intern worked with the CSAC Currciculum Working Group to develop criteria for "sustainability" identified courses began compiling a list of courses for possible inclusion in future degree/certificate programs | Fall 2011 | Additional help may be needed to finish course inventory and documentation. |
| Recycling Financial Evaluation | A group of students from the College of Business (MGMT 491) performed a waste audit and evaluated the costs of both recycling and landfill operations. They found that approx 30% of what is landfilled at MSU could be recycled, and that doing so would likely make the operating cost of recycling competative with current landfill practices. | Fall 2011 | |
| Optimizing Recycling in the Engineering Complex | For their Senior Design course, a group of Industrial Engineering Seniors are evaluation recycling collections and landfill disposal in the Engineering Complex (Roberts, Cobleigh, EPS) to develop ways to increase recyclign collections and provide a framework for improved recyclable collections in other areas of the MSU campus. |
Spring 2012 | Opportunity to apply findings from ENGR buildings to other areas of campus. |
| Marketing Recycling in the College of Business | For a Marketing course, a group of students are evaluating recycling collections in the College of Business and implementing marketing strategies to increase utilization of recycling containers. | Spring 2012 | |
| Recycling Video PSA | A group of Marketing students are producing the concept and script for a short video PSA to support and build awareness for the recycling program at the Stadium and the Fieldhouse. Collaboration with MSU Sports Facilities and Athletics. | Spring 2012 |
Areas of Need/Interest:
Can you help? These projects represent needs and opportunities for student involvement. This is not an exhaustive list! We would love to hear your ideas!
| Topic | Project Description / Opportunity | Possible Disciplines |
| Vending Machine Contracts and Revenue | Evaluate potential for including financial support of recycling in vending contract renewals with Coke/Pepsi. Conduct research to gather data on peer institutions and what they've received in support for recycling/sustainability via beverage contracts. | Business |
| Revolving Loan Program or Endowment | Evaluate options for funding sustainability projects on campus via an endowment and/or revolving loan program. UM has one. What would it take to establish this type of fund/program at MSU? | Business |
| Fundraising | How can the ASMSU Sustainability Center generate additional revenue to support its work? Are there opportunities to sell merchandise, host an event, or provide a service that could generate income? Are there any grants our programs would be eligible for? | Marketing, Business |
| Recycling Efficiency Improvement & Campus Waste Management | How can the ASMSU Recycling program be made more efficient and cost effective? What workflow modifications or equipment would improve the program? How can/should recycling and trash removal be better coodinated into an overall waste management plan for campus? | Engineering |
| UFS Plastic/Cans Recycling Assessment | Assess the need/opportunity for recycling plastic and cans from Food Service kitchens and retail locations. Currently only cardboard is recycled. Interview UFS staff and evaluate possible solutions to separate and recycle other materials. | Engineering, Sustainable Food |
| Survey Assessment | Review and organize information from the 2010 MSU Employee Sustainability Survey. Develop additional surveys to evaluate community attitudes and priorities around sustainability. | Sociology, Psychology, Statistics |
| MSU Green Guide | Help create a guide for sustainable living/choices at MSU. We love this example created at U Florida. Several areas of involvement possible: Compile resources and information, writing and editing, design of finished product. | English/Writing, Marketing, Graphic Design |
| Website Links & Resources | Develop content for the "Links & Resources" page for our website. Compile, curate, and organize informational links that help students understand sustainability on campus and in their personal lives. | Any |
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