Gardenside

Sustainability Living Learning Community

What is Gardenside?

Gardenside is a sustainability living learning community created through a Sustainability Office and Residential Life partnership. Residents are required to take a graded 1 credit corresponding “Gardenside Sustainability Solutions” course, offered by the Sustainability Office. The class is designed to cultivate an understanding of fundamental sustainability concepts, foster a sense of community among residents, and provide an opportunity for service-based experiential learning. Along with mini-lectures and discussions of academic readings, classes include tours and hands-on “work days” in the North Woods, Community Garden, and on-campus compost site, as well as a service class in the Saratoga community. Students in this course will also examine building systems and personal behaviors with a sustainability lens as related to their lived experience in the residence hall and on campus. A few additional activities and events may be offered during the year, outside of the class, such as sustainable crafts or a community meal.

Where is Gardenside?

Gardenside housing (named for its proximity to the Skidmore Community Garden) is located on the first floor of Wiecking Hall. The class will meet weekly in the Wiecking basement common room and on-campus for hands-on field work.

Who Is in Gardenside?

Gardenside is one of the special interest housing options offered through Residential Life. For Fall 2024, there will be 17 sophomore residents. Residents are chosen through a special application and selection process (supplementary to the special interest housing application).

When is the class?

In Fall 2024, the “Gardenside Sustainability Solutions” class will be offered on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30 pm. Gardenside residents must plan their schedules so as not to conflict with the class time.

Why should someone apply?

Gardenside brings together a group of sustainability-minded students and offers unique and experiential learning opportunities. Residents will become more literate in sustainability and systems-thinking, learn about campus sustainability projects, examine personal and collective consumption, and contribute to student-run programs, all while building a shared sense of community.