Sustainable Res Life
December 6, 2016
Program Ideas
Need funding for an event? Sustainability themed programs should fill out the Sustainability Program Funding application.  The Center for Sustainable Communities and Wellness Department will be reviewing applications frequently, but it is best to apply at least two weeks ahead of your program.
White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Host a white elephant gift exchange in celebration of the winter holidays! Encourage your party participants to pick up their gifts from local thrift stores, which are filled with unique gag gifts, or to regift something they find in their room! Visit the Official White Elephant Gift Exchange website to plan the perfect gift giving party!

Movie Night.  Host a movie night for a chance to take a break from studying! Preus Library has many movies available for students to rent. Whether you are interested in putting on an educational evening with a documentary, or want some good laughs with a classic cartoon, there are plenty of environmental films that are interesting and entertaining. Check out Food Inc., Forks Over Knives, Super Size Me, The Lorax, or Wall-E! Also, make sure you pick up some snacks from the Co-op to have a true movie night!
Features and Updates
Students reflect on Cannon Ball, ND. Following their Thanksgiving Break trip to Cannon Ball, North Dakota,  the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement hosted a panel discussion for students to share their experience of protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. Students Rebecka Green '19, Courtney Field '19, and Andres Alvarez '18 spoke about what their days looked like working in the camp, and how they have brought what they learned back to Luther College. Alvarez had the opportunity to participate in 'action', where groups of people went to certain locations along the proposed pipeline route to pray and join each other in community. He told the audience: "It wasn't like any other protest I've ever been to. A lot of the time, they prayed and expressed how they felt in a positive and enlightening way."  Please stay tuned for more opportunities to continue conversation about the Dakota Access Pipeline and to get involved. 

Cell phone and battery recycling. In order to prevent contamination and electronic waste, the Winneshiek County Solid Waste Agency will no longer accept cellular telephones and batteries in the Winneshiek County landfill. The Center for Sustainable Communities has partnered with Call2Recycle, a company that provides free battery and cellphone recycling in North America, to help recycle e-waste coming from campus. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the recycling receptacles at the Research and Technology Help Desk in the Library, the front desk of the Facilities office, or the Supply Reuse Closet in Valders 364 for batteries and old cell phones. To read more about where to recycle unique materials, visit the Waste and Recycling webpage
Tips for a Greener Residence Hall
As you and your residents prepare to head home for winter break, we encourage you to utilize the Ride-Sharing Facebook page to carpool with other students headed in your direction. Looking to go a bit farther? Check out the shuttles that run to major cities in the region and purchase a ticket
This newsletter is provided by the Center for Sustainable Communities in collaboration with the Luther College Wellness Department. The mission of the Center is to promote sustainability and be a catalyst for change on campus and in the region. We believe that physical wellness is an important component of sustainability, and advocate for the physical, mental, and emotional health of our campus and local community. For more information on initiatives at Luther and the outreach work of the Center for Sustainable Communities and Wellness Department, please visit:   www.luther.edu/sustainability and www.luther.edu/studentlife/wellness/.
Upcoming Events
Shopping Shuttle
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Molly McNicoll










Dr. McNicoll is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Luther College, and also serves as the Natural Areas Land Manager. She  regularly teaches in the introductory biology course (Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution), Restoration and Conservation Biology, and Ecology of Ecuador, a study-away course to montane rainforest, lowland rainforests in the Amazon basin, and the Galapagos Islands. As the Natural Areas  Manager, Dr. McNicoll plans and organizes invasive species removal initiatives, as well as application of prescribed fire to Luther-owned prairies. Dr. McNicoll says: "As Luther's Natural Areas Land Manager, I have the incredibly satisfying job of working with students, faculty, and staff to care for our woodlands, prairies, and other habitats. The process of land stewardship provides a natural opportunity for student learning and experimental research." To read more about Dr. McNicoll, visit her bio on the Biology website!
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