Environmental Center students,

You are part of a larger Environmental Center team.  Take advantage of opportunities to engage in E-Center events, discussions, and professional development opportunities.  This page is to share resources for staying connected with the Environmental Center mission and your work in campus sustainability. 

Staff-relevant announcements, opportunities and events, and other information will be posted and updated weekly here on this private webpage, and sent by email for you and the rest of the Environmental Center staff.

We ask you to

  • Read Updates when they are posted.  Information pertinent to your work is usually categorized as Staff Info, Upcoming E-Center sponsored Events, Engagement Opportunities, Resources, and links to past updates.
  • Stay in contact.  E-Center professional staff are available to support you. Keep in touch with your supervisor and team in person, by email, and by any other agreed upon electronic communications.
  • Let us know what else you need!   Questions about your pay, work expectations, on-site and remote hours, other Environmental Center programs?  Reach out to your direct supervisor, or to Dana.Kelly@Colorado.edu

 

9-20-23 Staff Update

In this message:

Staff Info

  • Tonight:  All-Staff Gathering and Dinner  5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
     

Extra Work Opportunities

  • Extra Work opportunities:  9/30 and 10/13 Football zero waste shifts
     

Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities
 

  • Apply Now:  Foundations in Sustainable Leadership Micro-Credential
  • Events:
    • Friday 9/22 Design Justice Workshop
    • Saturday 9/23 Campus Sustainability Tour
    • This weekend 9/23 - 9/24 Zero Waste Volunteer at Corn Festival
    • Wednesday 9/27 Green Greeks Representative meeting
    • Wednesday 9/27 Environmental Board
    • 9/29  Climate and Incarceration Symposium
    • 9/30  Workshop: Designing our Futures Climate Justice Overview and History

Read on for details… plus other Resources for student staff such as schedule of pay days, paid sick time info, staff contact list, staff handbook, social media channels and more.

 

Staff Info

Today, September 20th:  5:30 - 7:30 pm  All-Staff Gathering and Dinner
Student staff from all Environmental Center programs will gather tonight for an all-staff meeting and dinner at Williams Village Center.   Arrive anytime after 5 pm, presentation begins at 5:30 - You can arrive late or leave early for other school commitments.  You will be paid for attending, and will also receive a dining card for dinner that evening - you can use the meal card another time if you can't stay for dinner tonight.

Williams Village Center is located just south east of the corner of 30th Street and Baseline - with CU Buff Bus and RTD Bound and 225 routes stop nearby, and conventient BCycle stations.  Enter the Village Center Dining building, and you'll find the Commons meeting room on the main floor (go past and around the stairway that leads to the dining area to find our meeting room.)

Agenda
5 - 5:30 Snacks and trickle in.  Mock carnival around the room - get a ticket for participating, enter a raffle
5:30 - 6  Welcome, Icebreaker
6 - 6:45  Presentation: History, E-Board, Sustainable Buffs
6:45 - 7:15  Move around, visit the carnival booths, enter raffle
7:15 - 7:30  Closing and go to eat

 

Extra Work Opportunities

We're looking for more E-Center staff to sign up for paid shifts at upcoming zero waste events.  Earn some extra pay while learning about other sustainability services of the E-Center.  Training provided.  Keep an eye on this space for more upcoming events.

  • Football game zero waste shifts
    • Help make CU home football games zero waste.  CU has the oldest collegiate recycling program in the nation and the first zero waste athletics program in the NCAA.  Staff may be helping with bin set-up, vendor trainings, pre-game show staffing and clean up, top-sorting waste stations, helping at tailgates, or join the huge post-game compost and recycle sort of waste from all the stadium bins.  Pay for these shifts is at a special "event pay rate" of $20 - $22.50 an hour.  Free ticket to the game and pizza for the late shifts.  Plus the feeling of accomplishment knowing you've helped divert tens of thousands of pounds of waste from the landfill.
    • Saturday, September 30th USC game, shifts from 9 am - 8 pm.  Sign up Here
    • Friday, October 13th  , shifts from 2 pm - 5 am.  Sign up Here.

 

Upcoming Events and Engagement Opportunities

Foundations in Sustainable Leadership Micro-Credential
The Environmental Center is launching a new micro-credential program. This six-week program will introduce students to the foundational sustainability concepts needed to understand the challenges society faces while exploring the skills leaders working in sustainability need to tackle the challenges. The program is designed as a collaborative learning experience with interactive discussions, activities, and reflections to enrich your knowledge, cultivate your leadership skills and connect with other students that want to make an impact. It uses the Social Model of Leadership development to introduce students to leadership as a process to create social change. Priority deadline for applications is September 22.   Apply here!

Design Justice Workshop Part 1
Friday, September 22nd
1 - 4 pm  Idea Forge, Flemming Building

Use Design Justice principles to envision what just housing, education and food systems will look like in the future.  Designing Just Futures is a free workshop offered to cu students of all majors who are interested in exploring climate, housing and racial justice. Facilitated by Aleiya Evison from Collective Design Lab, and Edie De La Cerda, Architecture student at CU Denver.  Snacks and drinks will be provided.  Offered through the Environmental Center in partnership with Collective Design Lab.    Registration Lin

 

Campus Sustainability Tour
Saturday, September 23rd
10 am, meet at Environmental Center, UMC room 355

Come see for yourself all of the features that make CU Boulder one of the most sustainable campuses in the nation! We will visit pollinator gardens, bike stations, solar panels and more. On this tour you will see for yourself how we lead on sustainability at CU Boulder. Be prepared to explore all over campus and get to know it better in the process.  Registration requested.

 

Harvest of All Nations Corn Festival:  Zero Waste Volunteers
Saturday September 23rd and Sunday September 24th
Longmont Agricultural Heritage Center

Help the CU Climate Justice Leadership Alliance sort through the waste of the Indigenous-led Corn Festival.  Our support helps this vital event be more sustainable and continue.  4 shifts (pick one or more) Saturday 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, and Sunday 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.  Food voucher and free admission to the festival for all volunteers.  Carpool being organized.  Register here. 

 

Green Greeks Representative Meeting
Wednesday, September 27th
5:30 - 6:30 pm, Environmental Center conference table, UMC 355

Open to all greek life, these Greek Sustainablility meetings are led by the Green Greeks Coordinators with Greek Greeks Representatives. Meetings this semester are held Sept. 13- Nov. 8 every other week in the Environmental Center.  Email greengreeks@colorado.edu for more info.

 

Environmental Board
Wednesday, September 27th
6 - 7:15 pm, CASE E220

All are welcome to learn more and join the Environmental Board, a joint board of the CU Student Government (CUSG). The eboard helps CU students make the Boulder campus a greener, more socially just place by overseeing the activities, budget, and programs of the nation's largest student-run environmental center. The board works closely with CU Student Government and Legislative Council, meets weekly, and is open to the public.  More info here.

 

Climate and Incarceration Symposium
Friday, September 29th
9 am - 6:30 pm, Discovery Learning Center and Koelbel Business

Learn about the human rights crises at the intersection of incarceration and climate change in the United States. Twenty experts will participate in panels and workshops held throughout the day, including individuals who are formerly incarcerated, impacted family members, leading advocates and world-class researchers. The symposium is organized by the Climate and Incarceration Research Collective (CIRCol). CU Boulder co-sponsors include: CEDaR (Community Engagement Design and Research) Center, CU Engage, Department of Sociology, Department of Ethnic Studies, Environmental Center, Environmental StudiesDepartment, Geography Department, History Department, INVST Community Studies, Masters of the Environment (MENV), and Resilient Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RISE).

 

Designing our Futures Climate Justice Overview and History
Saturday, September 30th
9am - 3 pm   Idea Forge, Flemming Building

Presented by the Environmental Center's Climate Justice Team, who will do an overview of Climate Justice to ensure all participants have a solid foundation.  Events include: How to be an Ally to Yourself and the evolution of Climate Justice in Colorado - Renee Millard Chacon from Womxn from the Mountain, Commerce city Council, and the Colorado Environmental Justice Action Taskforce;  Part 2 of the Design Justice workshop - participation in Part 1 is not required;  Aleiya Evison returns to further our discussion on designing just futures; Breakfast and Lunch served.  Registration link.

 

 

More Environmental Center events listed on our online calendar.

 

Resources

Past E-Center staff email updates
https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/student-staff-resources#Past%20Updates
 

Pay Dates for the Fall 2023 semester

Two-Week Work Period Time sheet Complete and Submit Deadline Friday Pay Day (2 weeks after work period ends)
Aug 6 - Aug 19 Monday, Aug 21 September 1
Aug 20 - Sept 2 Monday, Sept 4 September 15
Sept 3 - Sept 16 Monday, Sept 18 September 29
Sept 17 - Sept 30 Monday, Oct 2 October 13
Oct 1 - Oct 14 Monday, Oct 16 October 27
Oct 15 - Oct 28 Monday, Oct 30 November 10
Oct 29 - Nov 11 Monday, Nov 13 November 24
Nov 12 - Nov 25 Monday, Nov 27 December 8
Nov 26 - Dec 9 Monday, Dec 11 December 22
Dec 10 - Dec 23
** Last Day graduating seniors can work is Thursday Dec 21		 Monday, Dec 25 (Winter Break) January 5, 2024

 

E-Center Staff Contact List
Online list of all E-Center student and professional staff contact info

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wRHxnmVzLTUq9yyy8dgbQq6i6zxBmaH0HXOqqDcBmZ0/edit#gid=0
 

Follow Environmental Center social media channels!

  • Connect on LinkedIn
  • Redditor?   Search for posts @ justasustainablebuff
  • Tweet us
    • @ EcenterCU
    • @CUGreenStampede
  • Follow us on Instagram
    • @EcenterCU
    • @cuzerowaste
    • @ecosocialjustice
    • @shouldertoshoulder
  • Facebook like us
    • @CUBoulderECenter
    • @envjustice.cu
  • View us on Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/cuecenter

     

Environmental Center Student Staff Guidelines/Handbook
A summary of best work practices and expectations for student staff, in short Canvas course format
https://canvas.colorado.edu/enroll/MD6HYW
 

Environmental Center New Hire Information
www.colorado.edu/ecenter/newhireinformation
Info for new student hires at the Environmental Center, including new hire forms, instructions for Direct Deposit, timesheets, required trainings, and more
 

Environmental Center Job Postings
www.colorado.edu/ecenter/jobs

 

Sick leave - Paid time off for CU student staff
All CU student employees accrue paid sick leave to help when you have to miss a work shift (for any work since Jan 1, 2021).

  • For every 30 hours you work, you accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave (.034 hr leave for every 1 hour worked). 
  • Your earned sick leave balance can be viewed on a tile in your MyCUinfo employee portal, under CU Resources Home dropdown > My Info and Pay.  
    • Hours worked across all jobs at CU are eligible for leave that can be taken at any CU job.
    • You can only request as much paid time as you have accrued - any time off beyond your sick leave balance will be unpaid. 
    • Sick leave may be used for physical illness, mental illness, health condition, medical treatment or diagnosis, preventative medical care, or non-work injury, or to care for a family member.  It can also be used when an employee or family member has been the victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or harassment and needs to be absent from work.  There are some other instances when sick leave can be used, which can be viewed here.  
  • Always reach out to your supervisor with advance notification of any work you have to miss.
  • To request paid sick leave on your timesheet for an Environmental Center shift that you have to miss

    • Log into your Quickbooks Time/TSheets account

    • Select “Time Off” from the menu, then click on +Add Time Off
    • In the CODE dropdown menu, select “Sick (part-time HSK)”  - here you will see the balance of sick hours that you have available to take
      • (Note that the sick leave balance in Quickbooks Time is an estimate and may not accurately reflect your actual CU balance, especially if you work other CU jobs.  Your MyCUinfo employee portal will always display your actual balance - if you notice a discrepancy with Quickbooks Time balances, get ahold of Dana to correct it.)
    • Choose the date and number of hours you would like to request as paid sick time
    • This request will be routed to your supervisor for approval/ pay
  • For sick time to be used at other CU jobs, check with that job's supervisor or departmental payroll administrator to find out how to request sick time off. 
  • Questions?  Reach out to dana.kelly@colorado.edu

 

Work-Study:  What is it?  Are you Eligible?
Work-Study is need-based financial aid that allows students to earn money for college expenses by working a part-time job.   Work-study jobs are funded by the federal and state government and include both on and off-campus positions.  Work-study is a program that benefits both the employee and employer:  Students earn a pay check, as with any job, but a majority of the wages are paid by financial aid funds rather than the employing department.  When students with work-study awards work with the Environmental Center, our staffing budget goes further and we can hire more students!

Are you eligible for a work-study award?  First you have to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   CU Boulder receives a limited amount of work-study funding from federal and state sources each year. Not all eligible students receive a work-study award.  If you think you might be eligible, please check with the Student Employment office to find out more! 

 

Food Resources

Health & Well-Being

  • And, anyone on the E-Center staff can provide you with information and resources if you or your family/friends/roommates etc. are struggling or sick and need help. We are here for you!  Email staff individually or at ecenter@colorado.edu.
     

Ergonomic Recommendations for Healthy Work Habits
When you work on a computer for hours at a time, proper office ergonomics — including correct chair height, adequate equipment spacing and good desk posture -- can help you and your neck, shoulders, wrists, and back stay comfortable and healthy over the long term.

The goal is for your shoulders, neck, back, arms and wrists to be relaxed and not stressed, reaching, or at angles.

  • The top of your display monitor should be straight in front of you or *slightly* below eye level
    • Use a laptop stand or books, box, etc on a table, to prop display up to correct level
  • Use remote keyboard and trackpad/mouse, preferably on your lap,  so that you are not reaching up onto a table or out in front of you, or bending your wrists to type/ point
  • When sitting
    • feet should be flat on the floor or on a footrest
    • back should be straight and supported by the back of your chair
  • Vary positions throughout the day.  Stand sometimes, sit sometimes.
  • Take lots of breaks.  Get up and walk around.  
  • Give your eyes a break too: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and focus on something 20 feet away.

More info and visuals available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

 

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
www.aashe.org/
Explore AASHE resources and programs to find materials to support campus sustainability leadership, and ways you can develop and prepare yourself for entering the workforce.

 

Past Updates

Past Weekly Update topics posted here for reference.  Click on date for full text of each past update.

Fall 2023

9-20-23:  Tonight Staff Meeting, Micro-credential, Events, Football shifts

9-14-23:  9/20 All-Staff Gathering, Zero Waste work, Microcredential, events

8-31-23:  Bike Fest Today!  Hold 9/20, Football work and more

8-10-23:  Check in for fall work, Pay Increases, 9/20 All-staff gathering, Welcome Back extra work sign ups

Spring 2023

5-4-23:  Survey/Mealcard, Finals Snacks, Extra Work shifts, Graduation cards and more

4-18-23:  Campus Sustainability Summit, Staff Survey, AWorld App and more

4-11-23:  Scoop Ice Cream Wednesday, Summer Jobs, April events

4-4-23:  It's Earth Month!  Thursday Staff Breakfast

3-22-23:  Extra work projects, Next Staff Meetup, Graduation Pledge and more

3-14-23:  Represent the EC Training, Climate Justice Workshop; Recycle Like a Buff, and more

3-7-23:  Tomorrow Pizza & Repair your Wear, Lug your Mug, Food Carbon Labels

3-1-23:  Staff Meet-Up, Compost Changes, Professional Training, Office Access & more

2-22-23:  Recycling Roundup Hours & Postering Needed, Summer Work-Study Today, Art + Activism

2-9-23:  Your sustainability advice; Saturday paid resume builder; Film Screening tonight; Bike to work

2-2-23:  Staff gathering with food; Lobbying; Paid sick time; extra paid work and more

1-17-23: Extra work shifts this week, Spring Events preview, Community Service, SkiBus
 

Fall 2022 Staff Updates

12-7-22:  Monday sweets & treats in ECenter; Congrats Dec grads; cards for December graduates; what to do over the Break, and more

11-21-22:  Fall Break info; Work this Weekend

11-10-22:  Climate Justice Healing & Action Panel, Free Reusables Kit, ECenter social media, and more

11-2-22:  Zero Waste Issue! Extra work shifts, free reusables kit, short film and more

10-25-22: RSVP to Green Game Picnic this Saturday, work Homecoming game and parade

10-13-22: Lots of work opportunities, Upcoming conferences, Resources

10-4-22: Climate Justice Workshop, Extra work opportunities, Farewell to Dan, and more

9-22-22:  Special payrate for Zero Waste Football shifts, Environmental Board, Campus Sustainability Tours, and more

9-13-33 Update:  All Staff Gathering, Paid sick time benefit, When is Pay Day?

8-31-22 Staff Update:  Football this Friday, Desk Shifts open, All-Staff Meeting 9/15