Franklin University Switzerland is committed to establishing sustainable development initiatives on campus and already boasts different sustainability-related projects and programs. These include the campus keyhole garden planted by last year's MSIM students, the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainable Futures (CJSF), the Social Justice and Sustainability major, and more. The latest addition to this list, with the aim of promoting responsibility toward a better future, is the new Franklin Green Office (FUS GO), which will consolidate, develop, and implement sustainability-related activities within the Franklin community. 

Green offices at higher education institutions are formally recognized and directly run by students who integrate sustainability in their learning process; the new FUS GO's mission will seek to integrate sustainable activities into the Franklin curriculum, serving as a resource for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. It will additionally institutionalize sustainability through multifaceted and interdisciplinary approaches, pioneering various initiatives within the university and beyond. Thus, it will serve as a space for collaboration, joint initiatives, and real-world applications of sustainability policies, research, and practice within Franklin and other global communities. Some of its main goals are:

  • Incorporating sustainability into all academic disciplines.
  • Partnering with the local community and other organizations to further promote sustainability.
  • Proposing sustainable and responsible Academic Travel activities and itineraries.
  • Fostering an inclusive community that promotes sustainability in every aspect of campus life.
  • Striving to reach a carbon-neutral campus by 2050.

As a student-led initiative, FUS GO will operate within five different branches: campus operations, event coordination, education and research, external affairs and projects, and marketing. Furthermore, it will join the Green Office Movement as the first-ever Green Office officially recognized at a Swiss and an American university.

Social responsibility, educational innovation, and achieving a positive environmental footprint were all reasons why the Environmental Studies Capstone Project of the Spring 2021 semester was later transformed into today's FUS GO. The project was initially spearheaded by students Grace Kotnik ‘22, Naomi Lear ‘21, Alejandra Malavenda ‘22, Gabriella Teerlynck-Aviles ‘22, and Peter Waszkis ‘21.

The student founders have expressed their excitement and pride in leading this new initiative. Grace Kotnik states "FUS GO has allowed me to gain more knowledge about sustainability at Higher Education institutions", while Alejandra Malavenda added, "with this project, we can empower students to learn about and integrate sustainable practices on campus". Finally, Gabriella Teerlynck-Aviles comments "this has been a great real-world experience opportunity, helping me learn how to implement sustainability practices at the university level."

FUS GO students can furthermore count on the support and mentorship of Professors Brack Hale and Patrick Della Croce from the Division of Environment, Math, Psychology and Health. About this challenging and inspiring new initiative, Professor Hale comments "I am excited to support the FUS GO as a great next step for sustainability at Franklin, as its model dovetails nicely with Franklin’s mission in that it actively engages and empowers students to be agents of change in order to enhance the practice of sustainability in what we do and learn." Professor Della Croce further explains "the students' commitment to transforming this from a Senior Capstone project to reality is truly commendable. I am looking very much forward to seeing the FUS GO launch officially in the next few months, and am sure it will contribute to Franklin’s sustainability efforts and will also be a place where students can give tangible contributions." 

Franklin's Green Office is scheduled to officially start its activities during the Fall '22 semester but is already at work to initiate its programs and activities. Make a gift here to help fund the Green Office, as this year's University Day's mission will be the establishment of this student-led initiative's legacy, which will provide a central place for dreaming, engaging, and finding solutions for a more sustainable campus and world.

Be the change and assist Franklin University Switzerland in making the difference: #OneDayOnePurpose.

For more information and in order to get involved contact greenoffice@fus.edu.