Student Organizations

Students on campus

Students often contribute to creating a more sustainable campus through organized activities. If you are interested in exploring and learning about sustainability, consider joining a student club or organization. If you are experienced and passionate about sustainability, and looking for a more formal commitment, check the list below of student committees that make important decisions impacting the sustainability of our campus.

The suggestions below are not exhaustive. If you have a student group that wants to help, the Office of Sustainability is eager to partner with you.

STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS:

Sustainability is a balancing of concerns that are environmental, social and economic. Students interested in these issues team up in many clubs and organizations to learn and make an impact on our campus and in our community. While many people associate sustainability with environmental issues, they are intertwined with social and economic issues, which many groups focus on. The list below ranges from one of the oldest student organizations, the Earth Club, to diverse groups addressing social justice, citizenship, health, technology, nature and career paths.

  • 49er Democracy Experience: Faculty, civic-minded students and community partners come together to deliver educational programming and participate in activities that enhance public understanding of and participation in the democratic process.
  • 49er Urban Planners: Encourages dialogues and initiatives related to urban planning on campus.
  • 49ers Racing: students design and build an electric racing car at the Kulwicki Laboratory.
  • American Conservation Coalition: Promoting a mix of market-based, pro-business, and limited-government environmentalism and prepare and encourage students to care for their environment.
  • American Society of Civil Engineers: Encourages student involvement in the surrounding community and industry.
  • American Water Works Association – Water Environment Federation (AWWA-WEA): Brings together students who are interested in water, waste-water, environmental and sustainable practices.
  • Biology Club: A community of students working to develop common interests, and promote sustainability, scholarship, professionalism, and self-development through education and action.
  • Bonner Leaders Program: Bonner Leaders participate in community work that fights hunger, preserves cultural histories, promotes racial and environmental justice, and ends poverty.
  • Campus Sustainability Alliance: Works to implement green infrastructure change on campus by identifying campus partners, writing grant proposals, and implementing the projects through to completion.
  • Charlotte Birding Club: Dedicated to the advocacy, protection, and admiration of birds in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.
  • Community Garden Club: A club for students interested in gardening, sustainability, or community building. This club is committed to creating a community-centered space for education, experimentation, expression, and leisure through growing and producing clean, healthy food.
  • Culinary Club: A club offering opportunities to learn about food preparation, invest in a healthy lifestyle, and support the community.
  • Customer49: An organization with a goal to ensure affordable and quality public education for all students and advocating for social, economic and environmental justice.
  • Earth Club: A club striving to help UNC Charlotte become a more sustainable campus through education, volunteering, and community involvement.
  • Enactus: An international non-profit organization that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.
  • Exercise is Medicine-On Campus: Uniting faculty, staff and students in pursuit of making exercise a vital part of Charlotte’s campus
  • Foreign Affairs Council: An all inclusive organization for students that have a global understanding of how events around the world can play a role in everyday life.
  • GEO Club: A student chapter of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists
  • GirlTrek: A health movement for African-American women and girls grounded in civil rights history, walking campaigns, community leadership, and health advocacy.
  • Global Medical Brigades: A secular, international student-operated volunteer organization whose mission is to provide sustainable development to underserved communities throughout the world.
  • Graduate Public Health Association: Supports graduate students interested in public health jobs.
  • Health Care Justice: Advocates for universal access to high-quality health care.
  • Jamil Niner Student Pantry Organization: The Jamil Niner Student Pantry serves food-insecure students and employees every week by offering free nutritious non-perishable and fresh groceries.
  • Mycology Club of UNC Charlotte: Based on a passion for fungus and first-hand discovery and learning. The Mycology Club offers opportunities to learn fungal facts, hear from experts in the field, go on fungal identification walks, create spore prints, watch fungal growth, watch fungal documentaries, and more!
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): Strives to uplift and educate students of the many worldwide policies affecting college students, all while instilling an interest in social justice and the elimination of discrimination.
  • National Council of Negro Women: Lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families & communities.
  • Philosophy of the East and West: Promoting philosophy, culture, and volunteering through a series of interesting activities and meetings while exploring a wide range on topics of the philosophies of the East and West.
  • Plants for People: Extends the benefits of horticulture to students.
  • Pollinator Club: Increasing awareness of pollinator species on campus by protecting and maintaining natural habitats for such species.
  • Power and Energy Society: Promote cooperation and exchange of technical information and topics advancing the field of power and energy.
  • Red Cross Club: An extension of the American Red Cross that offers students volunteer and leadership opportunities and health and safety training.
  • SDG Club: Working to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN.
  • Student Organization of Meteorology (STORM): Brings together students interested in meteorology in a professional and social capacity.
  • University Honors Program Student Association: Aims to provide an enriched, interdisciplinary experience to motivated high-achieving students.
  • Venture Outdoor Leadership: A comprehensive outdoor leadership program for adventure trips and team building.

The Niner Engage website provides a complete listing of student organizations including information about the group and how to join.

STUDENT COMMITTEES:

Students can apply for positions on key committees that decide policies and actions that impact sustainability of the campus.

  • Charlotte Green Initiative (CGI): Decides on the use of student-generated funds based on proposals that advance environmental and social sustainability.
  • SERVE Team: Planning, recruiting and implementing community engagement events for: Hunger & Homelessness; Environment & Animals; Civic Engagement & Democracy; Youth & Education; and Public & Community Health.
  • Resident Students Association: Promoting an appreciation of housing and residence life and the well-being of our community.