Sustainable Lifestyle Resources

Central Sustainability (CS) works to promote a more sustainable lifestyle for all. CS understands that it will take a collective effort to achieve a more sustainable future. Because of this, CS calls attention to resources that can help Central Michigan University (CMU) students achieve a more sustainable way of living. Additionally, it is important that these resources are available for each of the five pillars of sustainability.

Human sustainability

Counseling Center

A key aspect of human sustainability is the well-being of the individual, both physically and mentally. The Counseling Center offers free and confidential counseling appointments to CMU students. They also host several group experiences and drop-in activities such as multiple support groups and the “Pause for Paws” therapy dog event.

Student Health Services

Physical health is another key aspect of human sustainability. Student Health Services is located in Foust 220 and provides a variety of clinical service offerings. These include physicals, immunizations, gynecological exams, dermatological procedures, STI testing, basic cardiac screening and travel health services

Student Food Pantry

The mitigation of food insecurity is also especially important when it comes to human sustainability. The Student Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to CMU students at no cost. It is located at 1 Algonquin Ct, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Those wishing to support the Student Food Pantry can donate food and care items at the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center in the Bovee University Center. Monetary donations can be made on their Fund CMU page. You can also sign up to volunteer at the Student Food Pantry using the CORQ app.

On-Campus Fitness Centers

One way to improve your physical health is through exercise. Central Michigan University has a variety of fitness centers available on campus. There are residential fitness centers in both the Towers and East communities. Additionally, the Student Activity Center (SAC) has a variety of fitness centers and weight training facilities.

Park Library

Education and the development of skills is an important aspect of human sustainability. Outside of your classes, this can be achieved through taking advantage of all the knowledge that Park Library has to offer. Students can check out books on a vast variety of topics that they may be interested in. Additionally, the library has several quiet study areas that allow students to focus on their studies.

Mathematics Assistance Center

Education is needed to ensure the establishment of human sustainability. Central Michigan University provides various resources to ensure that you succeed along your educational journey. One such resource is the Mathematics Assistance Center. The Mathematics Assistance Center is located in Engineering and Technology Building 200 and provides free tutoring to CMU students on concepts from algebra to statistics.

Writing Center

Education is very important toward maintaining human sustainability. CMU’s Writing Center provides support along your educational journey. It is open to all current students, faculty and staff. They provide both face-to-face and asynchronous sessions.

Tutoring

Central Michigan University offers students free tutoring services to help them sustain their educational goals. Tutoring is available for 100-300 level courses.

Cultural sustainability

CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History

Rowe Hall is home to the CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History. This museum contains exhibits that are open to the public, and it also serves as a laboratory for students who are pursuing a Museum Studies minor.

University Art Gallery

It is important to provide a space for the arts to uphold cultural sustainability. One way that this is done on campus is through the University Art Gallery. The gallery displays art by local, national and international artists. They feature many exhibitions each year from unique exhibitions to those on national tours.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a great way to familiarize yourself with cultures different from your own. CMU offers over 150 study abroad and internship programs in more than 50 countries. CMU also offers several study abroad scholarships to help fund these experiences.

The Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) at Central Michigan University has played a key role in upholding cultural sustainability on campus. In fact, Central Sustainability began as part of this office. They host annual events and offer resources to help create a sense of community and belonging at CMU.

Environmental sustainability

The Central Sustainability Newsletter

Signing up for the Central Sustainability newsletter will provide you with monthly updates on current sustainability events, projects and efforts on campus. It also provides tips on how to practice environmental sustainability in your own life. Anyone can sign up to receive the Central Sustainability newsletter on the main page of the Central Sustainability website.

Recycle on campus

Taking advantage of recycling on campus is a great way to improve your environmental sustainability. Each dorm room has a blue recycling bin to help occupants keep their recyclables separate from the rest of their trash. Students can empty their recycling into the maroon recycling tank outside near the dumpster. More information can be found on the recycling tab.

Dine on campus

CMU Dining is committed to a policy of zero waste. Therefore, a great way to increase your environmental sustainability (and reduce your carbon footprint) is by choosing to dine at one of the residential restaurants on campus. In doing so, you ensure that any food waste you produce is properly taken care of.

CMU Greenhouse

The CMU Greenhouse serves as a key example of the strides CMU takes to uphold environmental sustainability on campus. The greenhouse houses plants from a variety of regions and climates from aquatic to desert. It is a great place to take a moment to relax and learn about some of the plants that inhabit the Earth.

Central Sustainability’s social media

Following Central Sustainability’s social media is a great way to stay up to date with current projects and initiatives. CS also posts educational content to help create a campus community that is aware of sustainability, even if they are not pursuing a sustainability-focused program. Central Sustainability is active on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Social sustainability

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) promote social sustainability by providing a way for students to meet others with shared interests. RSOs offer a variety of ways for you to express yourself and your passions in fields from athletics to the arts.

The Student Activity Center (SAC)

The Student Activity Center (SAC) gives students a place to connect with one another outside of the dorms. Students have access to various amenities from weight training equipment to gaming computers.

Athletic events

Athletic events are a great place to cheer for the CMU Chippewas alongside fellow fans.  From football to gymnastics, CMU has something to offer for every sports fan.

University theater productions

University theater productions encourage social sustainability by serving as a space for students to bond over the arts. Recent CMU theater productions include Young Frankenstein and Nothin’ but a Good Time: An 80s Mix Tape.

Living Learning Communities

Living Learning Communities allow students to live with those who have similar interests to them or who are pursuing similar majors. For example, Thorpe Hall in the South Community is home to many students who are members of the CMU Honors Program.

Student Activities and Involvement

The Office of Student Activities and Involvement regularly hosts a variety of events designed to help students get involved on campus. Examples of these events include MAINstage, Sibs and Kids Weekend and trips to Cedar Point.

Economic sustainability

First Impressions

First Impressions promotes economic sustainability on campus by providing free professional clothing to CMU students. Students can book an appointment in each fall/spring semester. Students may also apply to become volunteer stylists.

Resume reviews

The Career Development Center offers peer resume reviews. This can be a great way to strengthen your resume to help you earn a job on or off campus. Resume reviews can be scheduled using Career Central.

Mock interviews

The Career Development Center supports economic sustainability by offering mock interviews with a peer interviewer. This can help strengthen your interviewing skills to help you land a desired job or internship. Mock interviews can be scheduled on Career Central.

Scholarships

Applying for scholarships is one way to cut down on the cost of attendance and thereby promote your economic sustainability. CMU offers scholarships to all demographics of students by offering departmental scholarships, scholarships for new freshmen students, scholarships for new transfer students, scholarships for continuing students and scholarships for international students.

Jobs on campus

Applying for a job on campus can enhance your personal economic sustainability. There are a variety of jobs offered each semester for both GSA (General Student Assistance) qualifying and Work-Study qualifying students alike. Additionally, students can visit the Career Development Center to strengthen their skills before they apply.