Services and Sustainability

Services and Sustainability focuses on supporting the student experience by working on areas such as dining, transportation, wellness, libraries, and technology. We also collaborate with environmentally focused organizations at Duke and utilize the Climate Commitment to advocate for sustainable practices in all of Duke’s activities. In past years, Services and Sustainability members have worked on reinstating reusable mug discounts, designing the FROSH101 House Course, collaborating with Duke Athletics to create sustainable game-day experiences, and creating an LGBTQ+ support group. SAS is proud to spearhead the Blue Devil Market every year, in collaboration with DUU, as our recurring programmatic event.

Projects

• Healthy K-Ville: Services and Sustainability senators worked to create and distribute over 500 “blue bags” in collaboration with the Wellness Center that included hand warmers, band-aids, hand sanitizer, and other products to promote wellness during the tenting season.
• Alternative Transportation: Services and Sustainability ran a survey and received 100+ responses about students’ experiences with bikes and scooters on campus. We also collaborated with Parking and Transportation to hand out bike lights and repair kits to students and installed dismount zone signage in BC Plaza. This semester, Services and Sustainability senators will serve on the  Climate Commitment Advisory Council to discuss alternative transportation.
• Sustainable K-Ville: The committee is working to provide reusable/compostable cups during major Krzyzewskiville events. SAS piloted their K-Ville sustainability initiative during Session 31, reducing waste of tenting materials by donating supplies back to the Durham community and community shelters.
• First-Year Dining: Services & Sustainability committee is collaborating with the Equity and Outreach Committee, New Student and Family Programs, and Duke Dining to improve how incoming students learn about dining. This includes updating the Duke Dining Blue Book page with accurate meal equivalency information and details on dietary restrictions. Additionally, the team is creating an informative video explaining meal plans and dining options, set to be released at the start of Session 32.
• Food Recovery Network: In partnership with Duke Dining, Durham and Community Affairs, campus service organizations, and the Campus Farm. Each week, volunteers collect and repackage leftover food from Marketplace and deliver it to the Urban Ministries of Durham, donating an average of 250 pounds weekly. The project will continue through the end of the semester, with efforts underway to institutionalize it next year.

Committee