Environmental Sustainability Committee
+ Meet the Chairs: Cristina Maldonado and Kyle Guest
Cristina Maldonado is a third year in the College studying environmental science. In addition to serving as co-chair of the Environmental Sustainability committee, she is active with the Environmental Science Organization and a founder of Autism Speaks U at UVA. Through her time on student council, she has worked to create unity within the environmental movement on grounds and hopes to continue promoting sustainability as a co-chair. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, traveling, and going on adventures.
Kyle Guest is a fourth year in the College. He is majoring in both Economics and Environmental Thought and Practice. As a co-chair of the Environmental Sustainability Committee he hopes to bolster environmental dialogue in the University community and broaden the scope of the committee’s outreach. Apart from his involvement in Student Council, Kyle also enjoys going ham, pretending to know what it means to “go ham,” and making inside jokes that only he gets.
The Environmental Sustainability Committee is responsible for advising the Council regarding environmental issues affecting the University, as well as the sustainability of the University’s environmental practices.
- Interested in studying sustainability? Check out the new interdisciplinary Global Sustainability Minor, offered through the School of Architecture!
- There are so many ways to get involved with sustainability at U.Va.! Check out sustainaunity.wordpress.com for details!
- Spotlight on…Ride Forward at U.Va.! Ride Forward is a research and design group focusing on sustainable transportation. Current projects include the conversion of conventional vehicles to electric drive (EVs), the construction of advanced solar powered EVs and charging stations, and the design of vegetable oil-powered cars. Check out the group’s website (linked above) to learn how you can get involved!
Recent News & Updates:
- Summing It Up Sustainably
- GIFT Grants Info Session
- Check out Zimride at UVA!
- Homecomings 2011: The Tradition Returns!
- Dinosaur Spotted In Charlottesville
Past and Ongoing Committee initiatives include:
- Green Initiative Funding Tomorrow (GIFT) – supporting the creation of a green fee at U.Va. to grant funds to students, faculty, and staff who want to pursue sustainability-related projects
- Film and Speaker Series
- Sustainability Business Consultants – working to make local businesses more efficient and sustainable
- Farmers’ Market with UPC
- Track-Your-Trash Challenge Week
- University of Virginia Community Garden: introduced this past term, the Environmental Sustainability committee has been working to advocate for and accomplish the establishment of a community garden on Grounds. You can also check out the garden blog for information about workdays and events throughout the Spring 2011 semester.
- Trayless Dining: a project that removed trays from the University dining halls to limit the amount of water wasted in tray cleaning.
- Off-Grounds Recycling: an initiative geared to provide recycling options for students living off-Grounds.
- Earth Week: enjoy last year’s promotional video:
