By Cheri Hawkins

The Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit (CS3), now in its fourth year, brings sustainability-minded campus leaders from across North America together in order discuss, share, and promote ways to best activate this key strategic value.

NIRSA is particularly excited to announce this opportunity, which has grown from both the Association’s continued cultivation of external relationships with partners in higher education and collegiate recreation’s consistently rising role in campus atmosphere and culture.

The Collegiate Sports Sustainability Summit is a great opportunity to network with sustainability-minded campus leaders from diverse institutions and departments.

The 2014 Summit will take place on the beautiful campus of the University of Colorado, Boulder on June 25-27. NIRSA members who are interested in further engaging campus partners and actively making their programs and events more socially, economically, and environmentally responsible are encouraged to attend. Space is limited to the first 250 attendees, and early-bird rates close April 25. Group and student rates are available for this event; see the NIRSA website for more information on registration.

If you’re interested in helping shape the content and direction of this Summit, you can also consider submitting a presentation proposal. The deadline is January 31, so you’ll want to move quickly on this opportunity! For more information, see the Call for Presenters form.

Whether you share your campus’ innovations through a presentation, roundtable, or informal conversation, you’ll be helping collegiate recreation contribute to this crucial discussion.

This year’s Summit agenda offers engaging speakers, interactive roundtables, and informal breakout sessions allowing for active and energizing participation. You’ll learn from those with real world experience and be able to share your campus’ own achievements and initiatives. Don’t miss the opportunity to work with campus peers to identify ways to achieve common campus sustainability goals through sports and athletics, save money, foster better inter-departmental relationships, and increase recognition for your institution’s efforts.

One of the Goals in NIRSA’s Strategic Plan includes cultivating strong, long-term relationships that expand the Association’s reach, influence, and impact in developing healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities. This event, which NIRSA is co-presenting with EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), AASHE (The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), Coca-Cola Recycling, University of Colorado, Boulder, CURC (College & University Recycling Coalition), Georgia World Center, Green Sports Alliance, Keep America Beautiful and Recycle Mania Tournament, is one of the many ways NIRSA members can be a part of activating our Plan and helping build a healthy future for the communities our Association serves.