Green Week, sponsored by Northern Iowa Student Government, will take place October 18-24, 2009. This ambitious new program that will entertain, educate and inspire members of the UNI community. With invaluable support of several student and university organizations, this week has been organized with one common purpose: reach out to individual who have not yet considered the consequences of environmental ignorance. In addition, this week provides a forum for students to voice their concerns for our changing planet. Green Week is an opportune time for student groups to showcase their support of a healthier planet and their responsible decision-making, culminating in the international event Project 350 on Saturday. Project 350 will be the tour de force of environmentally awakened students, faculty and community members who want to join their community members in a show of solidarity that will receive global attention. Summary of events:

Sunday, October 18^th

7:00p - Campus Conversation – Center for Multicultural Education, Plaza level of Union

There is no greater way to begin a week of investigation, education, and involvement than with a simple conversation. This conversation is the perfect opportunity for every person, regardless of past experience, to voice his or her concerns, ask questions; or simply sit back, relax, and listen. From tenured professors to the youngest freshman, all are encouraged to come with an open mind. Maybe you’ve seen some trash problems that have really been bothering you, or maybe you want to know what the university plans on doing to become more sustainable while still cutting costs. Maybe you’ll hear from someone that shares the same concerns or has the same ideas you do! The Campus Conversation is where you’ll want to be Sunday, October 18^th at PM!

Monday, October 19^th

2:00-4:00p – The Green Light Program – Fountain Area, Maucker Union

The university’s resident Programming Board will be hosting The Green Light Program on Monday, October 19^th. Stop by and trade your old, inefficient incandescent light bulb for an energy star rated compact fluorescent bulb for free! A compact fluorescent bulb lasts longer, uses less energy, and is an easy step towards a healthy environment. The DOR Programming Board is making it easy for you to make the small changes, so stop by between 2 to 4 at the Maucker Union!

Tuesday, October 20^th

10:00a – Sustainability in Action – Center for Multicultural Education, Plaza level of Union

A follow up to The Campus Conversation, Sustainability in Action is a focused conversation that will be led by local experts on sustainability. The goal of Sustainability in Action is to reinforce good habits while promoting simple, effective changes in anyone’s daily routine that will yield positive results for our earth.  It won’t be the usual “turn off your water while you brush your teeth” routine, and you’ll leave feeling empowered with new information and simple solutions to complicated problems. Sustainability in Action will be held at 10 AM in the Center for Multicultural Education.

 

7:00p – Speaking of Change – University Room, Maucker Union

This theatrical, though informative, piece will examine the planet’s struggle through the eyes of the young, the old, the concerned, and the ignorant. Between stirring performances the audience will learn the history of environmentalism, the Earth’s current plight, and what we may do to steer our world towards a brighter future. Come with an open mind, and leave with a greater respect for the Earth. Speaking of Change will be held at 7 PM in the University Room of the Maucker Union.

Wednesday, October 21^st

10:00a-1:00p – UNI Green Fair – Hemisphere Lounge, Maucker Union

The UNI Green Fair is an opportunity for local organizations to showcase their environmentally friendly actions. Booths will be set up, as well as several games hosted by UNI students! The Green Fair is sure to be a fun, leisurely way to become acquainted with environmentally friendly living. You may even find a new way to become involved on campus, all while passing between classes or over lunch!

7:00p – “King Corn” Film – Ballroom A, Maucker Union

Green Project UNI cordially invites you to attend King Corn, a clever film set right here in Iowa. King Corn follows two graduates of an Ivy League school as they move to Iowa in pursuit of the roots of the American food industry. With the help of Iowan hospitality and corporate innovation, they are able to raise one acre of the finest crop in the world. What they discover about the agricultural industry, however, is less than astounding. King Corn will play at 7 PM in the University Room of the Maucker Union.

Thursday, October 22^nd

1:00-4:00p – Recycle Fest - Fountain Area, Maucker Union

It could not be called a Green Week without any recycling fun! Bring your recyclables to the Union as NISG hosts a recycling redemption program. For every pound of recyclables you bring for redemption your name will be entered into the RecyleFest drawing for a grand prize! Recycling Redemption will begin at 1 PM and end at 4 PM at the Maucker Union. See you there!

4:00p – Green: The Color of Wellness - University Room, Maucker Union

Did you know that green is new color of health? This brief seminar will be hosted by Kathy Green, of the university’s Health Services; Blake Argotsinger, President of Green Project UNI; and Robert Conway, NISG Director of Environmental Affairs.  Together, the three of them will highlight some important ways in which choosing to “go green” is in fact choosing to go healthy. Also, you will learn how being environmentally friendly is also friendly on your bank account, as several practical environmentally friendly tricks will wind up saving you cash! Green: The Color of Wellness will begin at 4 PM in the Elm Room of the Maucker Union.

7:00p – Tides of Tomorrow - University Room, Maucker Union

Climate Change:  a controversial topic that affects us all. Are you tired of hearing countless stories, political bickering, and the testimonies of drowning Polar bears? Don’t you just wish that someone could give you some clear information, solid facts that won’t melt away under hot debate? Come to Tides of Tomorrow and hear local experts speak out on climate change, you’ll be glad you did! Tides of Tomorrow begins at 7 PM in the University Room of the Maucker Union. 

Friday, October 23^rd

10:00a-1:00p – Recycle Fest - Fountain Area, Maucker Union

Miss your chance to enter the RecycleFest drawing on Thursday? That’s ok, because NISG is giving you a second chance to bring your recyclables to Maucker Union between 10 AM and 1 PM.  Again, for every pound of recyclables you bring in your name will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize!

Saturday, October 24^th

9:00-11:00a – Bash the Trash –Maucker Union

The Honors Student Advisory Board will be hosting Bash the Trash, a community clean-up effort that will beautify UNI before heading down to the Hill for some serious trash-kicking. Come early, bring a friend, and help save the world one piece of litter at a time!

12:00p – Green Munch’n’Lunch – Maucker Union, Coffeehouse

To celebrate a week of green festivities, as well as reward those who participated in Bash the Trash, the local Sororities and Fraternities will be hosting a Green Munch’n’Lunch. Come out and join NISG, the Greeks, and everyone else that helped make Green Week a success over some delicious free food! It’s a great chance to fill up before the March to McLeod.

1:30p – March to McLeod – Macuker Union to McLeod Center

What better way to end Green Week than with action? After the Green Munch’n’Lunch, community members will rally-up for a short “march” to McLeod to attend Project 350. The March to McLeod will showcase UNI’s involvement and concern for a healthier planet in an action as easy as walking, actually, it is just walking! So show up, bring some friends, grab some food, show your support, and be a part of the action as we March to McLeod at 1 PM, directly after the Munch’n’Lunch.

2:00p – Project 350 – McLeod Center

The final Green Week event, Project 350 is the pinnacle of programs. The purpose of Project 350 is to show UNI’s support of a healthier earth. Project 350 is supported by 350.org, an international organization whose focus is on changing the climate policy of world leaders. On this day, over 1600 events in over 125 countries are going to be occurring all over the world, and UNI will be a part of the action! Those who come to the McLeod Center will arrange themselves on the bleachers to form the number 350. The more people that take part in this amazing program, the more coverage UNI will receive form the international community! This will be a once in a lifetime event, and you will be sad if you miss this opportunity! The official Project 350 picture will be taken at 2 PM in the McLeod Center.

More information, including an easy-to-use calendar and other images, will follow. We hope to see you there!