The Global Sustainability Resource Center (GSRC) is conducting the third annual Summer Institute for Sustainability Leadership (SISL – pronounced ‘sizzle’) for incoming freshmen and transfer students.  SISL: Level 1 provides participants with an overview of the major sustainability challenges we face and a meaningful introduction to the UCI sustainability community, including student opportunities in research, education, and community engagement.  Participants will:

•       Gain first-hand experience of UCI’s sustainability landscape;
•       Connect with sustainability youth leaders on campus, including SISL alumni;
•       Develop an idea of a ‘next-step’ regarding their place as sustainability leaders on campus.

Participants experience UCI’s sustainability landscape during SISL through activities with GSRC that use the Campus as a Living Lab, foster Organizing skills, and expose students to the Communiversity and Foodscapes concepts.  SISL includes sessions on substantive topics in sustainability, leadership skills, and fun action-oriented projects that build community.

SISL: Level 1 is a three-day residential experiential learning program on the UCI campus. Each program has space for 20 participants.  To better meet demand, GSRC will host two separate SISL weekends this summer (August 7-9 and August 21-23).

All new undergraduate students at UC Irvine (transfer and first year) for the 2015-16 academic year are eligible to apply. Criteria for selection include diversity of perspective, activities, and leadership potential.

All admitted students will receive a scholarship valued at $500, which will cover overnight stay in a UC Irvine residential hall, all meals, workshops, and activities.  All participants will receive a free t-shirt and tote bag. However, the program does not cover cost of travel to the campus. Upon acceptance into the program, we will ask for a non-refundable $25 fee that will act as both a deposit and which will go towards one of the meals. Please know that this Institute is not a substitute for the Student/Parent Orientation Program (SPOP) – the required orientation for new students. You are required to attend a SPOP session during the summer regardless of your participation in SISL.  However, we have scheduled SISL to allow incoming students to attend SPOP before or after the Institute.

Twenty (20) students are selected to attend each program.  It is our hope that each student participant emerges as an ambassador for sustainability on UCI’s campus.  The application period for both mentor and student participants is now open. Student participant applicants may apply on-line by following the link below. Contact us at sustainability-center@uci.edu with any questions.