Are you passionate about the future of the planet?  Do you want to be a leader in creating economic vitality, social justice, and environmental balance? If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then SISL is the place for you!

About the Program
sisl sTUDENTS sMILING
The Global Sustainability Resource Center (GSRC) is conducting the third annual Student Institute for Sustainability Leadership (SISL – pronounced ‘sizzle’) for incoming freshmen and transfer students.  SISL 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 Training 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 is a three-day residential experiential learning program on the UCI campus. Each program has space for 25 participants.  To better meet demand, GSRC will host two separate SISL weekends this summer (August 5-7 and August 19-21).
Learn more about the SISL  experience in previous years here: SISL  2013,  SISL 2014 and SISL 2015.
Application and Admission
All new undergraduate students at UC Irvine (transfer and first year) for the 2016-17 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 five (25) 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. If you plan to live in Campus Resident Housing you can become part of UCI Housing EarthReps internship. EarthReps is a student training and community building internship for undergraduate on campus residents offering education, skills, and hands-on experiences broadly related to sustainability.
Five (5)  student mentors will serve as members of the planning committee for this year’s program. Mentors will be responsible for personal projects, such as leading a campus sustainability tour, leading evening activities, and guiding participants in personal actions plans for campus sustainability. Mentors will additionally help with social media and outreach.
 
The application period for both mentor and new incoming or transfer  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.
Application
The deadline for SISL mentors to apply is Monday, May 30.
The deadline for incoming and transfer students to apply is Thursday, June 30.    (EDIT)