Gardenside - A Sustainability Living and Learning Community

What is Gardenside?

Gardenside is a sustainability-focused living and learning residential community. Residents are required to take a 1 credit corresponding “Gardenside Sustainability Solutions” course, offered by the Sustainability Office. The class is designed to cultivate an understanding of fundamental sustainability concepts (including community-based climate solutions), foster a sense of community among residents, and provide an opportunity for service-based experiential and experimental learning. Along with mini-lectures and discussions of academic readings, classes will include tours and hands-on “work days” in the North Woods, Community Garden, and on-campus compost site. 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 by a Sustainability Office intern and/or the Wiecking-Gardenside Residential Assistant, such as sustainable crafts, a community meal, or a field trip.

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 will be in Gardenside?

For Fall 2023, there will be 17 sophomore and first-year residents of Gardenside.

When is the class?

In Fall 2023, 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.