The Student Activities Office (SAO) at Northeastern Illinois University has taken the plunge! We’ve pledged to begin our process of becoming a GREENer office to help save our global environment.  As an office, we have begun working diligently to contribute to the ever-so-important SUSTAINABILITY efforts to save our Earth. 

What is SUSTAINABILITY?
SUSTAINABILITY is:  Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.   When we talk about SUSTAINABILITY in general, we are referring to what is known as the TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE.  These are the 3 areas in which efforts are being made to preserve our world, people of the world, and resources for decent living:

#1 Social Justice (Human resources)
#2 Strong Economics (stable and equitable)
#3 Flourishing Environment (going “GREEN”, etc…)

GREEN SUSTAINABILITY (#3) is the balance between people and the environment.  Air, water, and land are all impacted by the behavior and actions of human beings, but these impacts can be controlled so they do not cause as much damage while allowing all involved to maintain a comfortable existence.  (365 Ways to Live Green; McDilda)

“The art of sustainable living is the ability to support communities today without jeopardizing the environment for tomorrow.”

What’s so GREEN about the SAO?

The little things that helped shrink our big footprint:

1. The Student Organization Handbook & SAO Update Newsletter is offered only online (reduces paper waste and saves our green earth)

1. We purchased an online student club management system that allows for online form submission (saves trees and reduces paper waste)

1. Offer give-a-ways that directly allow for re-use (such as nylon lunch bags and water bottles).  Allows people to re-use instead of adding plastic bottles of water and plastic bags to landfills.

1. Reduced the maximum number allowed for paper signage coming from the Graphic Arts Center.  AND, will host a L.E.A.D.ership Seminar on “A Low Carbon Diet” to help those learn how to get their message out in a “GREENer” manner.  The seminar will be offered during the 1^st Annual Green Week.

1. Speaking of GREEN WEEK!  We are working hard w/ many others to EDUCATE about SUSTAINABILITY… and you are invited to join us the week of September 29^th:

1. This is only the beginning… join us as we continue to turn GREEN.