Student Organizations

At Denison, students are dedicated to upholding the values of sustainability. There are many student-led organizations that work to promote different facets of responsible living both on campus and in the local community. The aims of these groups include greater awareness of local and global issues, environmental education initiatives, and experiential learning about organic farming practices.

To learn more about sustainability related organizations at Denison, view the following groups:

Denison University Fair Trade Alliance

Denison University Fair Trade Alliance

The Denison University Fair Trade Alliance seeks to promote awareness of Fair Trade on the Denison campus through educational programs and student access to fair wage, sustainably produced products. Once a week, DUFTA members sell Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate as well as handmade crafts such as scarves and purses in the student union. DUFTA works to promote a Fair Trade campus and community at Denison by ensuring Fair Trade options are available in the dining halls and other campus venues. In addition, DUFTA sponsors speakers to come talk at Denison, including Chie Abad, a former sweatshop worker, and Rick Peyser, a Denison alum who now sits on the board for Fair Trade Labeling Organizations International.

For More Information

If you'd like to know more about this organization, please visit denison.orgsync.com or contact: dufta@denison.edu.

Helping Hands, Garden of Hope

Helping Hands, Garden of Hope is a student organization that promotes urban gardening among youth. Funded by a grant from the city of Newark, Denison students work with girls who are mandated by Juvenile Court to do community service by helping to maintain the community garden. Their work includes planting, weeding and watering. They must also keep journals about the process of growth and their experiences at the garden.

A select number of Denison students are funded as summer interns to create curriculum that promotes organic gardening and healthy lifestyle choices for girls from the juvenile delinquent program. Harvesting takes place in the fall, and the food is distributed to a local food pantry. The winter months are spent planning for the next year and preparing start-up gardening kits for the residents surrounding the garden.

For More Information

If you'd like to know more about this organization, please contact: Susie Kalinoski, kalinoskis@denison.edu.

Green Team

The Green Team was founded in 2006 by Environmental Studies students. The organization works to promote environmental awareness on campus, and meets weekly to discuss how to facilitate environmental consciousness and sustainable living at Denison. Activities include a Recyclable Fashion Show, Earth Day activism, and speakers from both the Denison faculty and national organizations. In addition, educational initiatives include making posters to spread awareness, creating a DU Green Guide to provide information on environmental topics and consumer choices, and various recycling and energy campaigns to involve the campus community.

In relation to the Green Team is the Denison University Recycling Program (D.U.R.P.), which was started in 1984 to raise awareness about recycling and provide recycling bins across campus. In addition to recycling both WET (glass, plastic, aluminum cans and bottles) and DRY (cardboard, magazines, paper) materials, DURP has expanded to also collect old batteries, light bulbs, and CDs. In the past, DURP has been integral in establishing the the Denison University - Granville Community Recycling Center, and creating student-friendly guides to what can and cannot be recycled at Denison.

For More Information

If you'd like to know more about this organization, please visit denison.orgsync.com or contact Ryan Culligan, cullig_r1@denison.edu or Shane Richmond, richmo_s1@denison.edu.

Denison Environmental Education & Mentoring Program

Denison Environmental Education & Mentoring Program

The Environmental Education and Mentorship Program is a student organization promoting children's appreciation of and curiosity about their surrounding natural environment. The group works in partnership with the Granville Recreation Commission to educate children through interactive learning. Activities include hiking, marking trails, exploring the native flora and fauna, and planting trees for Arbor Day at Spring Valley Nature Reserve.

For More Information

If you'd like to know more about this organization, please visit denison.orgsync.com or contact Kevin Merrigan, merrig_k1@denison.edu.

People Endorsing Agricultural Sustainability

The mission of People Endorsing Agricultural Sustainability (PEAS) is to provide student opportunities for experiential education in agriculture and collaboration with local farmers, as well as to generate broader awareness of and advocacy for local food systems in the Denison and Granville communities. Founded by two students in 2009, PEAS visits various local farmsnear Granville and throughout Ohio. In addition, PEAS is involved in the coordination, planning, and establishment of the Denison Community Garden, the Curtis Roof-Top Garden which supplies herbs to the dining halls, and the Bird's Haven CSA for students and faculty, among other yearly events. In the future, PEAS is hoping to recruit more interested students, expand the Curtis Roof-Top Garden, and continue to spread awareness about where our food comes from and the necessity for sweeping changes in the national and global agricultural system.