Living & Learning Communities

Students Improving Society (SIS)

Students Improving Society (SIS) is a living learning community for students who desire a more cohesive community and who want to make a difference by experimenting with "green lifestyles" and group initiatives to promote sustainability at SIUE. SIS is open to first year students in any major. SIS is first and foremost about education. It is an example of learning by doing. Residents learn valuable lessons in sustainability through everyday activities and shared experiences.

SIS is a great opportunity for all residents, but is ideal for members of these groups:

• Environmental and biological science majors
• Students interested in volunteer service and leadership opportunities
• Students with an interest in recycling or other green initiatives
• Students with 4-H or other outdoor experience

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability is achieved when "all people on Earth can live well without compromising the quality of life for future generations" (Jucker, 2003). Sustainability is not just about the environment; it is about social justice and healthy economies as well.

What makes SIS unique?

Students in SIS live together on the same residence hall wing and have the opportunity to initiate and participate in their own special activities. Members have the opportunity to attend community dinners, participate in field trips to places and events of interest, monitor resource consumption, have informal meetings with faculty members, participate in service projects, learn about the political process, and attend special events like film and speaker series. Students who successfully complete the SIS program will be recognized at the campus leadership awards ceremony in April.

Students selected for the SIS program will be pre-registered in one of two freshman seminars: BIOL 111: University Campuses - Sustainable Leaders for the 21st Century or ANTH 170: Conservation and Sustainability: Local and Global Perspectives. Both of these seminars fulfill the freshman seminar requirement for matriculation. These seminars are limited to residents of the SIS community. Make sure to indicate which seminar you are interested in on your SIS application.

Goals of the Students Improving Society Living Learning Community

Students of the SIS Living Learning Community will:

• Develop a sense of self-awareness by gaining a better understanding of civic engagement.
• Gain leadership and teamwork skills by participating in and executing programs.
• Become knowledgeable about sustainability efforts to preserve our environment.
• Better understand what their role is as a member of a community and society as a whole.
• Learn how to promote respect, acceptance and awareness for various cultures and lifestyles.

Benefits of living in the Students Improving Society Community

• Receive recognition at the end of year Kimmel Awards Ceremony.
• Enroll in the freshman seminar focusing on Students Improving Society; this course will count towards the Freshman Seminar requirement.
• Attend specialized programs geared to civic engagement.
• One on one interaction with university administrators.
• Opportunity to live in a community of people with similar interest and values.
• Residents will receive out of class exposure and contact with faculty.

Program Requirements

As a member of the SIS community, each resident is required to complete the following components on the program:

• Sign a pledge making a commitment to live sustainability in their community
• Enroll in one of the two classes: BIOL 111: University Campuses - Sustainable Leaders for the 21st Century or ANTH 170: Conservation and Sustainability: Local and Global Perspectives.
• Attend an end of semester reflection session led by the Hall Director
• Second semester, collaborate with other students from the community to create your own service learning initiative
• Attend and report on a cultural event held on the SIUE campus

To be considered for admission to SIS, students must indicate their interest on the University Housing application.

To learn more about SIS, please contact the Central Housing Office, housing@siue.edu.