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Commitment To The Environment

In the spirit of namesake John Muir, Muir College supports local, national, and global efforts to preserve the natural environment and to promote environmental sustainability in energy and water use, waste disposal, food production, and other practices.

Educational Initiatives

  • Muir Writing Program – Readings in Muir 40 may focus on issues relating to the environment and sustainability. In Muir 50 and 125 (for transfer students), students choose among sections that include environment themes.

  • Freshman Seminar, The Greening of Muir College (ENVR87) – Muir offers this elective Freshman Seminar in which students define and pursue research projects intended to reduce Muir’s own carbon footprint and make the college more sustainable in other ways.

  • Wilderness and Human Values – Every year, Muir offers the upper division elective course Wilderness and Human Values that examines the ethical, social, and scientific issues presented by environmental preservation. The course includes voluntary overnight wilderness trips.

  • The Environmental Studies Minor – Muir sponsors and is home to the interdisciplinary Environmental Studies Minor. Open to students from all majors, the minor offers a broad interdisciplinary perspective on the environmental aspects of any field of study and includes courses in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Student Organizations

Check out the student environment organizations available on campus.

Honoring People Who Honor the Environment

  • Muir Environmental Fellows - To honor the legacy of our namesake, John Muir, from time to time the college names as Muir Environmental Fellows selected individuals whose work has contributed significantly to the cause of sustainability and environmental preservation.

  • Organic Lunch - Every Spring during John Muir Week (week that includes John Muir’s birthday, April 21), Muir sponsors an organic lunch honoring UCSD students from all colleges who contribute to the environment.

  • JMC Green Award – Awarded to the graduating Muir Senior who has done most to support the environment during his or her time at UCSD.

In The News

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