College of Charleston students developed a unique collaboration, which they will present at the EcoReps Southeast Regional Conference on February 23, 2013. International Studies Senior Colleen Sullivan and Political Science Senior Tiffany Kingston, both interns in the Office of Sustainability, implemented the Sustainable Greek Initiative, a student collaboration between the Offices of Sustainability and Greek Life. It is a “notoriously difficult link to establish” said P. Brian Fisher, the director for the Office of Sustainability. 

“I am excited for this presentation because this is an opportunity to share all of our successes, challenges, and hard work with the Greek Life community. Through this presentation, hopefully we can provide a foundation for integrating sustainability into Greek Life,” states Colleen Sullivan, who has worked with the Office of Sustainability since the fall of 2011.

Started two years ago, the Sustainable Greek Initiative focuses on educating the Greek community and empowering the sustainability chairs within each chapter to develop programs that reduce energy and minimize waste from Greek Life events. The project began with an assessment of the sustainability needs in Greek chapters and Sullivan and Kingston working with students and Greek members to develop solutions. The development of the Greek Chair Initiative is one of the most unique features, and it allows Sullivan and Kingston to tailor solutions to each chapter’s needs. The Sustainable Greek Initiative All chapters compete to be recognized at the Office of Greek Life’s Borelli Awards to earn the “Most Sustainable Chapter Award.”

“Getting Greek Life members involved in sustainability has been a great experience and I am really proud with how far their efforts have come,” said Tiffany Kingston, undergraduate intern.

Sullivan and Kingston will present their research and knowledge to students from across the region at the EcoReps Southeast Regional Conference. “This demonstrates the “high impact” learning that we at the College strive to generate,” Fisher said.

About the Office of Sustainability at the College of Charleston
The Office represents the hub for teaching, research, and practice of sustainability on campus and in the greater Charleston community. The Office of Sustainability is located within Business Affairs, to give it a high profile on campus and in the community, where it is accessed and influenced by all members of our campus community. This represents an exciting step forward for the College of Charleston, and signals a new chapter in our esteemed history. For more information please visit our website: sustainability.cofc.edu

EcoReps Program
The EcoReps program at the University of South Carolina works to promote sustainability in residence halls, campus, and Columbia community.