Student Environment Action at Rhodes University

Student action, enthusiasm and innovation is the heartbeat of Rhodes University's campus life. As our future leaders, students carry the essence of learning and leading to a sustainable future. There are a number of active student environmental initiatives at Rhodes University, including Environmental Week at RU.

Get involved in the STUDENT ACTION:

• SRC Environmental Councillor: 2013 councillor Mr Luke Cadden (084 401 3651 / srcenvironmental at ru.ac.za) encourages all to "Think Green" and get involved in environmental affairs, taking action for our environment and our community. He supports RU Environmental Reps in their activities.

• Environmental Reps in RU hall residences help keep RU student actively involved in to sustainable practices.

• Water Circle: Water Circle Seminars - interdisciplinary discussion around water issues - are organised by students in the Catchment Research Group.

• RU Green: A new student environmental group formed through an amalgamation of SEACC SF and GRASS.

• SEACC SF: South East African Climate Consortium Student Forum, established in 2010, aims to lead a student crusade to tackle issues of sustainability and climate change through community engagement, operations, research and education. SEACC SF was a deserving winner at the 2010 Environmental Awards.

• Galela Amanzi: Xhosa for "Pour the Water", they raise funds to install rainwater tanks in neutral areas in previously underserviced communities thus providing access to a sustainable supply of clean water.

• Legal Activism - Environmental: The Environmental Portfolio of the Rhodes Legal Activism Society raises awareness of environmental law and its implications for communities.

• GRASS (see RU Green): Absorbed into RU Green, GRASS is actively involved in campus and community projects, student res and digs greening, and helping improve the ecological integrity of the local environment.

• Common Ground: A student society that empowers students to grow their own food in on-campus allotments and digs gardens.

• Masincedane Society: Student society that runs a soup kitchen and food garden in the eastern part of Grahamstown.

• Res Recycling: Contact your SRC Environmental Counsellor to discuss how to get going with your recycling efforts in res, and visit the RU Recycling pages.

• ROAR: Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights aims to foster an understanding of the broader impact of our lifestyle choices.

• Grahamstown Feral Cat project (GFCP): Rhodes students in res can join forces with caring members of the community to offer a humane alternative for the feral cats of Grahamstown, through trap, neuter and release (see also GFCP).

• SIFE: Students In Free Enterprise is a global programme that aims to empower students in tertiary institutions to improve lives, strengthen communities and develop socially responsible business leaders.

• Worm Farm Project: A student initiative aimed at disposing of biodegradable waste in an environmentally sustainable way, in line with the triple bottom line approach.

• Bayer Young Environmentalist Award: Congratulations to RU students who have won this award! 2011 winner, Mr Alex Lenferna (2011). 2009 winner, Ms Ntendeni Luvhengo (2009).

Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za