Building Campus and Community Connections Through Writing and Sustainability

Dr. Christina JarvisSUNY Fredonia

The Course—ENGL/AMST 399: Writing, Sustainability and Social Change

17 Students (10 different majors, mostly seniors & juniors)Special topics service-learning class

4 community partners3 local issues—energy, food and water

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo grant funding for projects

Community environmental film festivalCFL give-away Beach clean-upCompost bins and rain barrels for community gardens

Components Encouraging Activism and EngagementPersonal and civic engagement journalNumerous speakers, panels, and field tripsEarth Week events in communityPublic writing/press release assignmentMini-grant assignment and related eventsEngagement focused readings and discussions

Local Energy Issues: Nuclear Waste and Coal Ash

West Valley Coalition presentation and web text assignmentBlogs and portal page for Grow New YorkPanel on coal ash with CROP PLUS and NRG

Energy Films & Engagement

Screenings of Burning the Future and Crude ImpactStudent press release publicationsStudent/CROP PLUS participation in PowerShift NYPoetry and portfolio responses

Community CFL Give-away

Earth Week “Green Expo” event Student press release publicationResults

1350 CFLs$87, 048 energy bill savings897, 264 lbs (407 tons) of reduced CO2 emissionsAASHE recognition

Community CFL Give-away

Food & Sustainable Agriculture

Screening of FreshMini-grant project

Grant presentationVisits from community garden volunteer and Gleaning Project staffResearch on rain barrels, compost bins, local community gardens and needs

Field Trip to Gong Garden

Addressing Water Issues

Screening of A Sea ChangeEarth Week Lake Erie beach clean-up

Student press releasePartnerships with multiple groups/classes50+ people, 321 lbs of garbageObserver “Best of the Week”

Lake Erie Beach Clean-up

Engagement Results

Increase in environmental activism: average 1.4 pts (2.9 pts for 10/16)Increase in community engagement: average 2.2 pts (2.8 pts for 13/16)

TE “This course provided me access to information as well as opportunities to engage and serve others, both of which facilitated the sort of learning and discussion I have not usually experienced in the classroom. …I think one of the most important effects in social change is taking back the community aspect of connection through common needs and wants and communication.”

Student Reflections on Engagement

More Student Reflections

KT: “After working with the community partners like the Gleaning Project, Rural Ministry, West Valley Coalition, Earth Works, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, it got me thinking about how much there is to do is Chautauqua County. One thing I have learned through this semester, is that there are issues right in our backyard, and we do not need to always jump on the ‘most intense’ environmental fad to help make a difference. There are also a lot of great people who are dedicated, passionate, and enthusiastic about bettering their local environment.”

More Student ReflectionsCC “Writing, Sustainability, and Social Change” taught me the many forms in which I can educate the public through my writing. I have learned how to write blogs, op/eds, press releases, and grants. I have even felt encouraged to infuse the political into my creative writing. I have watched an idea turn into a plan, which led to a direct change in this class. I have seen firsthand how powerful the written word can be.” TP “What I mainly took from this course is the knowledge that anyone can make a difference, no matter who they are or what path of life they come from. Activism and social change comes in all shapes and sizes and all corners of the world.”

Some Conclusions

Build on existing student activism and interestsLink politics, civic engagement and activism to personally meaningful topicsCapitalize on students’ social networks and networking skillsEncourage reflection on and sharing & documentation of eventsModel activism and engagement yourself

Lessons LearnedLimit the number of community partners and service-learning assignmentsAllow more time to build student-community partner relationships and explain service-learningFavor student buy-in and student-led projects over pre-planned eventsFoster strong group dynamics for team projectsConsider multiple options/avenues to engage broader range of student writing talents