University of Utah Student Newspapers | 2013-02-04 | Page 3

DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Monday, February 4, 2013 3 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 Steve Burian, associate professor in civil and environmental engineering, and Mercedes Ward, graduate research assistant and Ph.D. student in anthropology. They are in the second year of a three-year tenure to create new programs and courses that address sustainability. "There's sort of two directions: infuse existing programs and classes with sustainability and create some new programs that are sustainability related or focused," McCool said. Lindsay Clark, a graduate from the U in environmental studies with a minor in urban planning, said if there is a push for sustainability education, then there should be an equal push in sustainability careers. She found a way to use both a technical skill and her passion for sustainability to work up to a career in sustainable development. For her, pairing a hands-on skill with sustainability courses in the urban planning department made the difference. "This is a way for me, as an activist, to do something about these issues rather than standing around with a picket sign," Clark said. She has seen sustainability careers emerge and watched as universities respond with sustainability degrees and certificates. There are chief sustainability officers in huge corporations and six-figure salaries for people in their 3os. "This is expertise that people are paying for," she said. As the world becomes more aware of its imprint on the future, "green jobs" are growing dramatically, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Utah is currently ranked i4th in the number of sustainability jobs available per ro,000 people, Ward said. Kevin Emerson, senior policy and regulatory associate for Utah Clean Energy, said sustainability is an exploding field, especially in sustainable business management and engineering. In order for the U to keep up, he agrees in an interdisciplinary perspective and by doing hands-on, applied learning. He said education is improving a lot even in the past four or five years, but as a state, he knows there's more to be done. "Utah can do better by stepping back from the politics of the issue and looking at personal values of how sustainability can affect us all," Emerson said. "Education is really important, but it's for all citizens. SUSTAINABILITY MANAGERS: ▪ 283 companies had a full-time sustainability manager in 2012. ▪ The Top 3 declared majors for full-time sustainability managers and executives are business/management, engineering and environmental studies ▪ 94% of large companies have sustainability budgets of $10 million or less It's in the hands of everyone." While still looking at sustainability from an educational lens, it's not just college students who are adding sustainability curriculum. K-12 might see changes as well. Programs such as the Green Schools Project, and legislation such as No Child Left Inside, operate to offer sustainability education to a younger audience, said Adrienne Cachelin, associate instructor in environmental and sustainability studies. The goal is to integrate sustainability into every subject, and not just the obvious ones such as science. Cachelin said it could be taught in conjunction with any subject. Currently, she teaches an environmental education course during which local elementary school and university students meet for outdoor experiences. This kind of applied learning helps students of all ages relate what they learn from a book to the real world. Ed Barbanell, associate dean for undergraduate studies, is the adviser for the undergraduate sustainability certificate and makes sure it follows this approach. A certificate should show how you can do something, which is why there is a final project, he said. He is looking to change current courses from observational to applied, because he wants to empower students and show them how they can make a difference. Matt Kirkegaard, a sophomore in environmental and sustainability studies and political science, wants to make a difference in the world. People always ask what he hopes to do with his degree, but he sees an endless amount of options. "There's no shortage of conflict in sustainability — and there won't be in the next 20, 5o or ioo years," he said. He has noticed major companies such as Google investing in alternative energy and the government becoming more concerned, so he wants to be a part of the change. As much as he has enjoyed his classes and thinks the U is stepping up to the plate, he believes actions need to be aligned with principles. For him, the students are in support. McCool has seen the environmental and sustainability studies program double in the past eight years, and he agrees that students are eager and ready. Many programs are and were student-led, such as the Office of Sustainability, started by Clark and other students. Kirkegaard recently started Fossil Free U, which aims at removing fossil fuels and investing in alternative energy for the U. "The students are driving this," McCool said. "Faculty, we're leading from behind." Even if the word "sustainability" changes to regenerative, resiliency or simply good business, the concept looks like it's here to stay. "If we're not thinking about how to plan for our future in a really grounded, meaningful way, we're simply not going to end up with a future," Clark said. "It goes beyond a five-year plan and asks you to look at generations. That longer term thinking is where we need to get as a society." [e-mail] Are Rorschach inkblots also fine art? n l• erw j tjMip,Alit:„ .0_4WINNICFP'" SLAYMAKER I feel much more productive," Slaymaker said. "If I didn't do everything, I would be so bored out of my mind." After graduating from the U, Slaymaker plans to follow her older sister's footsteps and become a physician's assistant. Jana Stoneman, director of the Presenter's Office at ASUU, said Slaymaker's involvement in multiple fields convinced her to hire her. "I just really liked everything that she was already involved [in]. Personally as a student, I wasn't really involved until my senior year at ASUU," Stoneman said. "I just loved that she was already really involved and she had a really positive attitude and she always seems to be happy and willing to do things." [e-mail] Continued from page 1 Slaymaker finds other ways to serve children too. This semester she has been teaching refugees to read through the LEAP program. She also participates in the U-FIT program, doing sports and crafts with people who have special needs, and she recently applied to be a service-learning scholar. To some, her agenda might seem dizzying. Slaymaker sometimes goes days without seeing her roommates, who are busy too, but Slaymaker said she likes it that way. She grew up dancing 4o hours a week and is used to having a lot on her plate. "It makes [me] feel better, I think. EL INTERNS AND DJs WANTED! Gain Experience Meet New People Speak Your Mind v4vocitictecto,i .0R6 SEARCH FOR KUTE ON THE MOBILE APP tunein RADIO \we What is EC? Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way [e-mail] r budding entrepreneurs in developing countries are an example of impact investing, and the new center will involve students in that world directly. The center will look something like a student-run investment firm. Students will work with social entrepreneurs and foundations and advise people looking to invest in impact investing ventures. Hower said the system will be very streamlined. Other than a principal and director, the "firm" will be run entirely by students. "We try to operate as much as we possibly can like any other kind of investment firm, so the students get the exposure and get that access," Hower said. The center will also include a lot more academic curriculum than the typical investment firm — two endowed chairs will teach the students and conduct research. apply online today @ kuteradio.org Apply to be an arts writer for The Daily Utah Chronicle Contact Savannah Turk at [e-mail] {? Hower, who has a background in bioengineering, hopes that including students from a wide variety of disciplines will provide depth to the conclusions that student teams reach while working in the firm. By putting students with different perspectives side by side, he hopes the students will be much more successful addressing the social problems that impact investing tries to solve. "That's really our goal, being able to reach across campus, being able to collaborate ... whether it be on research or on some of the initiatives. There's some really phenomenal stuff going on at the U," Hower said. "At the end of the day, all of the students win." Taylor Randall, dean of the School of Business, said the whole program will be very student-centric. Some students will have the opportunity to travel and work with impact investing businesses in places such as India. a.drysdale@ chronicle.utah.edu to prevent pregnancy after you have unprotected intercourse. EC is best if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. wetyiex -44i4i404 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The Student Media Council is now accepting applications for Station Manger of K-UTE Student Radio. Planned dor Parenthoodrr Care. 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