SUU Students Make Campus Sustainability Efforts
Published: September 04, 2025 | Author: Clare-Estelle Perkins | Read Time: 4 minutes
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Southern Utah University (SUU) students are actively leading in campus sustainability efforts. Through hands-on initiatives campus-wide, the SUU Community Garden, and the newly formed Textile Club, these T-Birds are creating a culture of conscious living and providing valuable learning experiences.
SUU encourages student involvement in a wide range of campus clubs, fostering a vibrant community where students can connect with their peers who share similar interests and passions. Through campus clubs, students are given the opportunity to develop leadership skills and make an impact on campus culture and beyond.
Through student government and individual efforts, a group of student leaders is working to bring sustainability to the forefront of SUU’s institutional framework. As the “University of the Parks,” SUU is home to students who are passionate about environmental stewardship.
"SUU brands itself as the 'University of the Parks,' so sustainability should be integral to our campus culture," said Om Mehta, a student leader who served as the College of Natural Sciences Senator. "The students are the ones who are really pushing for sustainability efforts."
These efforts have included a successful student rally and policy changes within the student government. In March 2024, over 40 students gathered for a "Rally for Change" to advocate for a more organized sustainability presence on campus, including the creation of a dedicated office. Since then, the University has established a formal Sustainability Committee with faculty, staff, and student members.
Student leaders have also initiated several practical projects. During move-in week, a student-led bill provided a U-Haul truck for students to drop off cardboard and other recyclables, which resulted in over a ton of recycled materials. Efforts are also underway to revive the T-Bird Bikes program, which would offer free or affordable bike rentals to students to reduce vehicle use on campus.
Another force in the strive for campus sustainability is the SUU Community Garden, which serves as a hub for environmental education and community building. It offers a practical learning environment where students gain hands-on experience in sustainable food practices.
"My biggest hope is that even if students can’t make it to our regular club meetings, they still see the garden as a resource," said Audrey Hall, a volunteer leader at the garden. "It’s more than just a place to grow food, it’s a space for community, relaxation, and reconnecting with nature."
A notable project, in partnership with the Community Engagement Center, is the HOPE Garden, which provides fresh produce weekly to the HOPE Pantry, addressing food insecurity on campus. The garden also hosts events like Harvest Fest, a popular gathering that showcases the space and brings the campus community together with live music, food, and art.
"We call it the Community Garden for a reason—it really does take a village," Hall said. "Students who get involved quickly realize they’re part of something bigger. The friendships formed are lasting, and there's a strong sense of purpose and belonging."
Meanwhile, the Textile Club, led by President Kalea Lattin, is educating students on the importance of sustainable fashion. The club focuses on skill-sharing, particularly mending and reinforcing clothes, to extend the lifespan of garments and reduce waste.
"Textiles Club is young and uncomplicated," said Lattin. "While we’re planning some organized knitting and crocheting workshops, so far we’ve mostly been bringing our own projects to work on each week, and often this includes mending."
Visible mending has become particularly popular as a creative way to add personality to clothing while preventing it from ending up in a landfill. It has sparked conversations about sustainable choices in a positive way.
Lattin emphasizes the multifaceted reasons for students to embrace sustainable clothing, including environmental, ethical, and financial concerns. The fashion industry's significant contribution to pollution, reliance on underpaid labor, and the rapid turnover of "fast fashion" all contribute to negative impacts. Conversely, mending and purchasing secondhand clothing offer cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives.
While acknowledging the challenges of sustainably sourced new clothing, the Textile Club plans to keep itself simple and approachable by enabling a supportive community for textile-related projects and offering workshops to make mending and altering more accessible.
While some resources exist, such as the Community Garden and Sustainability Club, student leaders believe more institutional support is needed.
"We need a centralized Sustainability Office to coordinate efforts, consistent communication about programs, and more student-driven funding for green initiatives," said Mehta.
By establishing the Community Garden, founding the Textile Club, and initiating various campus-wide projects, the SUU student body has successfully brought sustainability to the top of the campus conversation. These efforts have not only provided practical learning experiences for students but have simultaneously created a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
As the University continues to embrace its "University of the Parks" identity, the active and passionate engagement of its students will remain a driving force for a more sustainable and conscious future. Ultimately, SUU is a place where students can find their passion, build a community, and drive positive change through their involvement in the many clubs and organizations on campus.
Tags: Campus CurStu Campus Resources
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu