Some may recall a discussion in early December of last year about implementing a small sustainability fee on Penn State students. The revenue from which would be funneled into projects that make the university a more sustainable and environmentally progressive place to study, live, and work.

Regardless of one’s personal stance on the importance of making Penn State more sustainable, it is becoming increasingly clear that the university community is placing an emphasis on sustainability.

Students are taking further initiative in creating a sustainable Penn State with the formation of the Inaugural Student Sustainability Leader Summit, which will be held on January 25th from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Heritage Hall section of the HUB.

The formation of the leader summit comes after years of largely unsuccessful attempts to organize and mobilize many of the student organizations that share a strong focus on green and sustainabile progress at Penn State.

Dozens of groups ranging in membership and influence are working towards similar objectives, albeit often in different fields of expertise. The Sustainability Summit is intended to serve as a forum for student leaders to engage with each other, strive to better organize and share resources, and foster debate and conversation about the direction of Penn State’s sustainability policies.

Partners from the emerging Penn State Sustainability Institute, Student Sustainability Advisory Council, Union and Student Activities, and the University Park Undergraduate Association, will serve as both participants and curators while hosting discussions that highlight the direction of student groups and organizations.

Student leaders will be challenged to articulate their vision for a sustainable Penn State and consider ways in which their organization can be involved.

Penn State student leaders, faculty members, and any students fascinated by sustainability at Penn State are encouraged to attend by registering by Friday, January 18th.