GRADUATION
& COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
May 14, 2022 | 3 pm
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Franklin University Switzerland is committed to establishing sustainable initiatives on campus. We have a wide range of sustainability-related projects, programs, courses, and more. In order to organize and centralize our sustainability-related initiatives, we are launching the Franklin University Switzerland Green Office (FUS GO).

Aimed at consolidating, developing, and implementing sustainability-related initiatives at all levels of the Franklin community, the FUS GO is a student-led initiative that will operate within five different branches: campus operations, event coordination, education and research, external affairs and projects, and marketing. The FUS GO will join the Green Office Movement as the first GO officially recognized at a Swiss and an American university.

Our Mission

The FUS GO seeks to integrate sustainability into all aspects of the university, serving as a resource for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The GO institutionalizes sustainability through multifaceted and interdisciplinary approaches, pioneering sustainability initiatives within FUS and beyond.

Our Vision

We envision the FUS GO as a hub for sustainability, serving as a space for collaboration, joint initiatives, and real-world applications of sustainability policies within the university and global communities.

FUS GO
Existing Sustainability-Related Initiatives at FUS to integrate into the FUS GO (from 2021 Capstone)
The FUS GOals: 
  1. Mandate, strong presence, and high visibility within the university structure 
  2. Sustainable and Responsible Academic Travel
  3. Carbon-neutral campus by 2050 (2019 Capstone Mitigation plan) 
  4. Foster an inclusive community that promotes sustainability in every aspect of campus life 
  5. Incorporate sustainability-related courses into all academic disciplines as a part of the required curriculum
  6. Partner with the local community and other organizations to promote sustainability beyond FUS 

The FUS GO began as the Environmental Studies Capstone Project of Spring 2021. The project was initially spearheaded by Grace Kotnik ‘22, Naomi Lear ‘21, Alejandra Malavenda ‘22, Gabriella Teerlynck-Aviles ‘22, and Peter Waszkis ‘21.

Grace Kotnik ‘22, Alejandra Malavenda ‘22, and Gabriella Teerlynck-Aviles ‘22, the GO Founders are currently working to transform the FUS GO from a proposal to a functioning Green Office. The FUS GO will be fully implemented by Fall 2022.

Statements
Grace Kotnik

Hi, my name is Grace Kotnik. I am majoring in Environmental Studies with an Emphasis Science and minoring in History and Social Justice and Sustainability. I am from San Diego, California USA and enjoy hiking and reading. Being a Co-Founder of the FUS GO has allowed me to dive deeper into the role of sustainability at Higher Education Institutions. Working to implement the FUS GO project has helped me gain practical skills and has allowed me to communicate with various stakeholders. I am excited to see how the FUS GO continues to grow and effect positive change at Franklin and beyond.

Alejandra Malavenda

Hello, my name is Alejandra Malavenda. I am from Miami, Florida, USA and I am double majoring in Communication and Media Studies and Environmental Studies. Being a Co-Founder of the FUS GO has helped me realize how important it is to promote sustainability and student participation at universities. This project has helped our team empower students to learn about and integrate sustainable practices on campus.

Gabriella Teerlynck-Aviles

Hi, my name is Gabriella Teerlynck-Aviles, I am from Miami, Florida U.S.A and I am double majoring in Psychology and Environmental Studies with an Emphasis in Science. Working as a Co-Founder on the Green Office project has been a great real-world experience opportunity, helping me learn how to implement sustainability practices at the university level.

Professor Brack Hale

I am excited to support The Green Office as a great next step for sustainability at Franklin.  The Green Office 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.  The students involved in the Green Office will gain valuable experience in developing and managing sustainable initiatives across the different facets of Franklin that prepares them for future careers and lives.

Professor Patrick Della Croce

I am very happy that I have been able to see the students working on the Green Office for Franklin since day 1. Their commitment to transforming the Green Office from a Senior Capstone project to reality for Franklin is truly commendable. It has been a lot of fun to help them realize their vision. I am looking very much forward to seeing the Green Office launch officially in the next few months. I am sure it will contribute to Franklin’s sustainability efforts and will also be a place where students can give tangible contributions to their University.

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