Greenbelt Community Expectations for Residents
Students interested in living in the Greenbelt Community are not expected to have previously embraced the concept of sustainability or have engaged in sustainable living practices. However, all residents selected to live in the Greenbelt are expected, at the very least, to be interested in learning more about what is meant by the concept of sustainability, to gain an understanding of their own impact upon the environment, and to agree to learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle while becoming more knowledgeable about various practices for living sustainably. It is expected that students who live in the Greenbelt will become sustainability leaders on the Furman campus
Students interested in living in the Greenbelt are strongly encouraged to have already taken or are planning to take a course(s) in either
Earth and Environmental Science (EES) or
Sustainability Science (SUS). While it is not required for students to have already had one of these classes prior to living in the Greenbelt, these subjects provide good depth and understanding for the concept of sustainability as well as offer context for the living/learning experience.
All students who desire to live in the Greenbelt Community must agree to abide by the following basis expectations for living in a residential learning community committed to sustainability:
- They must agree to support the mission and goals of the community.
- They must agree to live a lifestyle that embraces the concept of sustainability (i.e. learn more about sustainable living practices, attempt to reduce my energy consumption, recycle).
- They must agree to be leaders and champions for sustainability on the Furman campus.
- They must agree to attend Greenbelt Community sponsored events held throughout out the semester. The dates and times of events will be announced by the Greenbelt RA.
Students should recognize that not adhering to these commitments could
potentially result in their dismissal from the community and relocation
to another area of campus housing.
Resident Involvement in Greenbelt Community Programming
In collaboration with the Greenbelt RA, Engaged Living Assistant and program faculty and staff, residents will determine specific community events which will serve as the educational foundation for the community. Potential programs may include, but are not limited to:
- Attending the annual Greenbelt Welcome Dinner
- Competing against other Greenbelt cabins for who can recycle the most waste or conserve the most energy
- Working in the Furman organic garden
- Participating in a sustainability related project on the Furman campus.
- Participating in a brown bag lunch/dinner series with faculty/staff at the Shi Center
- Participating in local, regional, and national sustainability competitions