SNRE Student Government seeks to be a resource for SNRE-related student organizations. SNRE Student Government can help by:
• Offering financial assistance (joint sponsorship) for projects or programs that benefit the broader SNRE student body;
• Hosting or linking to organization information on the SNRE Student Government web site;
• Keeping organization members informed about news from the administration; and
• Working collectively with student organizations to advocate for SNRE students and student initiatives.
Can you think of other ways in which we can help? We welcome suggestions from student organization members and leaders about ways in which we can work together and we invite you to provide us with links to your own web pages or to speak with us about hosting your page. Finally, if you would like SNRE Student Government to sponsor one of your events, please let us know.
Below are examples of past SNRE student groups that have existed with and without the help of student government. These examples provide a context for the types of student groups that are able to obtain funding. To register or re-register your student organization, please go to www.umich.edu/~msa and click "registration" under "Student Organizations" starting September 7, 2006. If you like to be listed on this page or require further assistance please email us.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION (EnAct)
This is one of the largest environmental groups on campus. The group focuses on spreading environmental awareness through education and activism at the University. Several projects EnAct is currently working on include waste conservation through the production and sale of recycled notebooks, the global climate change campaign on campus and beyond and the revitalization of the campus Rainforest Action Network. They are also a strong force in organizing U-M's Earth Week. Join the others and get involved in environmental action. To become involved, contact EnAct by email at: ENACT.info@umich.edu.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GROUP
The Environmental Justice Group is a multicultural, multidisciplinary student group dedicated to promoting environmental justice for all communities affected disproportionately with environmental burdens, especially those communities of color and low income. Undergraduate and graduate students from all departments are welcome to join us at weekly meetings. EJG plans, hosts, and takes part in activities such as sponsoring speakers, hosting panel discussions, lobbying & legislative activism, petitioning, volunteering in communities and with other ej groups, and teaching junior high & high school students. To find out more, email ej.info@umich.edu.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SOCIETY
The University of Michigan Environmental Law Society (ELS) serves foremost as a forum for students energized by environmental issues and concerned with how the law may or may not adequately address those issues. ELS also strives to provide first hand opportunities for those students who see environmental law in their professional future. We encourage students from all backgrounds to become involved; we currently have members from the Schools of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), Business, and Public Health, as well as the Law School.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL FORESTERS
Michigan's student chapter of the International Society of Tropical Foresters (UM-ISTF) was organized in 1998 to increase communication among students and faculty from various department who share an interest in the conservation, development, and ecology of tropical forest regions. UM-ISTF has sponsored guest lecturers on topics ranging from the prospects for forest conservation in Eastern Zaire to the realities of indigenous territorial management in Central America. ISTF is putting together a web-based guide for UM students looking for mentors or embarking on research and work in the tropics, and also will be organizing a conference in 1999.
MICHIGAN BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
The Michigan Biodiversity Project is a group of concerned students and citizens who are working to enhance protection of native biological diversity in the Great Lakes bioregion. Our efforts focus on the protection of endangered species, their habitats, and larger wilderness areas because these are the natural elements critical to the maintenance of native diversity with the state and the greater overall bioregion. We seek to achieve these goals by means of public advocacy and education, surveys of the biota, and oversight of the state and federal land management activities. To join the Michigan Biodiversity Project, email the group at MBP@umich.edu or visit their home page at http://www.umich.edu/~biodiv/biodiv.html.
MINORITIES IN AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES RELATED SCIENCES, (MANRRS)
MANRRS is a national society that welcomes membership of people of all races and ethnic group participation in agricultural and related sciences careers. MANRRS attempts to provide networks to support professional development of minorities. MANRRS provides role models and networking opportunities and also offers students opportunities to enhance leadership, organizational and public speaking skills, and to experience professional critique of scholarly work in a "user friendly" environment. For more information stop in the Office of Academic Programs.
RAINFOREST ACTION MOVEMENT (RAM)
The Rainforest Action Movement works to raise awareness about the values and destruction of tropical rainforests. Efforts focus on individual empowerment and responsibility toward addressing the problem at the level where individuals actually CAN make a difference. RAM organizes demonstrations, education booths, street theater, letter writing campaigns, public speaking engagements, slide shows, and speakers panels. Since time is running out for the rainforests and their native populations (including humans) this is your chance to help make a difference. Students interested in becoming involved can contact EnAct via email at enact@umich.edu.
THE SOCIETY OF LES VOYAGEURS
The Les Voyageurs is an organization of men and women who share a similar love of the out of doors. The group was established in 1907 at U of M by a man who believed that those who felt a special connection to Nature should share this feeling together. The Les Voyageurs is, therefore, more of an organization of "outdoorsy" people than an outdoors group. Sunday night dinners are held every week during the term at 6 p.m. at the Les Voyageurs' Cabin. Here the members and their guests share their friendship, stories, and love of nature. There are also speakers, slide programs, or after dinner music. Guests are always encouraged and need only call the LV Cabin: 662-1553.
STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS (ASLA)
The general objective of this organization is to unify interested graduate Landscape Architecture students in an effort to combine interests and desires toward fulfilling educational and social needs as well as broadening the understanding of the profession and the Society. The primary goal is to promote supportive educational activities reflecting student interests and visibility of ASLA and of the profession by developing workshop, and contact with practicing professionals. Interested students can contact Professor Bob Grese by email at: bgrese@umich.edu.
STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL & MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS (NAEP/MAEP)
NAEP/MAEP is an interdisciplinary society of environmental professionals in the U.S. and abroad, committed to the advancement of the state of the art of interdisciplinary environmental education, research, planning, assessment, review of management. NAEP/MAEP is a foundation for structured career development from student membership to certified environmental professional. It provides a forum where environmental professionals with varied backgrounds can share experiences, exchange ideas, improve professionals skills and be recognized. The group co-hosted the University of Michigan's Environmental Career Symposium. They also developed a monthly speaker series. A mentoring program is available through membership with the Michigan Chapter. Membership is open to all University students.
STUDENTS ORGANIZED TO RECYCLE AND REUSE ORGANIC WASTE (S.O.R.R.O.W.)
S.O.R.R.O.W. (The Students Organized to Reuse and Recycle Organic Waste) started out as a class project several years back. Students collected food scraps from Markley's dining hall to be composted on a plot on North Campus for a summer. That project expanded to become this student group in 1994. Our main goals are to teach people about the importance of composting as a means to reduce waste and promote organic farming practices to achieve a more socially and environmentally friendly way of life. We conduct worm bin education programs in local elementary schools, in addition to our slide shows and vermicompost demonstrations on campus. In the past, we have worked with the now-defunct Heidelberg Project in Detroit to start a community garden in that neighborhood. We have also collaborated with the composting class (NRE 306) for their composting conference. Projects for the future, including working more with the student co-ops and others who live both on and off campus. Our plans are to work more closely with ENACT during the upcoming school year. For more information, e-mail us at s.o.r.r.o.w.@umich.edu.
XI SIGMA PI
The national forestry honor society, Xi Sigma Pi, is represented in the School by the Upsilon Chapter. Xi Sigma Pi serves to recognize scholastic excellence among students who have progressed into the junior year or beyond and who have taken at least 10 hours of forestry related courses. In its promotion of excellence the Society has arranged tutoring help, sponsored public speaking sessions, helped with honors recognition programs and encouraged student discussions of School issues. Interested students can contact Professor Don Zak for more information at: drzak@umich.edu.
Student Groups