The 1987 Brundtland Commission report called “Our Common Future” defined “sustainable development” as development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987,  Our Common Future.  Oxford University Press, Oxford).  According to this report, achieving sustainable development requires preventing environmental degradation while enhancing economic growth and furthering social equity.

The Beloit College Sustainability Fellows Program gives students the opportunity to contribute their expertise to a campus- or community-based sustainability project and earn one unit of academic credit.  This eight-week summer program offers internships and applied research experiences for  Beloit College students to engage in sustainability-related activities on campus and in the local community.  Each student will work at one site under the mentorship of a faculty member.  In addition to working full-time at their placement sites, students will participate in a weekly Sustainability Seminar and a weekly community-based learning workshop.  Please click on 2013 Projects for information on the sustainability sites.

Students will receive a stipend of $4,500, must enroll in one unit of Environmental Studies 390, and pay summer tuition for this course.  They may contract with the college for room and board.  The stipend has been calculated to cover these costs. 

The program dates for 2013 are May 20 through July 12.

All current Beloit College students are eligible to apply.  For full consideration, please apply by March 15, 2013.  Application materials are available on the right side of this page under "Related Documents."  For additional information, contact Professor Yaffa Grossman, Director of the Beloit College Sustainability Fellows Program (grossman@beloit.edu).

The Beloit College Sustainability Fellows Program is supported by sources including:  a grant from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation; a gift from Judy McCleary, a Beloit College life trustee, to help fund fellowships at the Natural Land Institute's Nygren Wetland Preserve in Rockton, Illinois; the Beloit College Eloise Marston Schnaitter Endowed Wildflower Garden Fund; and other campus funds.