Muir's Commitment to the Environment
In the spirit of namesake John Muir, Muir College supports local, national, and global efforts to preserve the natural environment and to promote environmental sustainability in energy and water use, waste disposal, food production, and other practices.
Educational Initiatives
- Muir Writing Program – Readings in Muir 40, the first course in Muir’s required two-course writing sequence, may focus on issues relating to the environment and sustainability. In Muir 50 and 125 (for transfer students), students choose among sections that include environment themes such as Water: Limited, Needed, and Contested and Culture-Class, and Eco-Consumption.
- Freshman Seminar, The Greening of Muir College (ENVR87) – From time to time Muir offers this elective Freshman Seminar in which students define and pursue research projects intended to reduce Muir’s own carbon footprint and make the college more sustainable in other ways.
- Wilderness and Human Values – Every year, Muir offers the upper division elective course Wilderness and Human Values that examines the ethical, social, and scientific issues presented by environmental preservation. The course includes voluntary overnight wilderness trips.
- The Environmental Studies Minor – Muir sponsors and is home to the interdisciplinary Environmental Studies Minor. Open to students from all majors, the minor offers a broad interdisciplinary perspective on the environmental aspects of any field of study and includes courses in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Student Organizations
- Muir Environmental Corps – MEC is a Muir College student organization that sponsors environmental service projects, camping trips, kayak trips, and other wilderness outings, and brings together students with interests in the environment and sustainability.
- Wilderness House - Residents of Wilderness House, one of three themed houses in the Muir residence halls, have the opportunity to participate in programs that have a positive impact on the environment and to enjoy outdoor adventures such as backpacking, day hiking, tide pooling, and rock climbing.
Honoring People Who Honor the Environment
- Muir Environmental Fellows - To honor the legacy of our namesake, John Muir, from time to time the college names as Muir Environmental Fellows selected individuals whose work has contributed significantly to the cause of sustainability and environmental preservation. The first Fellows were selected in 2011.
- Organic Lunch - Every Spring during John Muir Week (week that includes John Muir’s birthday, April 21), Muir sponsors an organic lunch honoring UCSD students from all colleges who contribute to the environment.
- JMC Green Award – Awarded to the graduating Muir Senior who has done most to support the environment during his or her time at UCSD.
Muir also
- Actively supports UCSD’s Sustainability Solutions Institute (SSI).
- Sponsors and co-sponsors lectures, conferences, and other events that raise awareness about environmental issues.
- Regularly evaluates its own campus environment to comply with best practices with respect to the environment and sustainability.
40th Anniversary Challenge
To celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2007-2008, Muir challenged its students, faculty, staff and alumni to give 40 Gifts of Service to the environment. Read more.
a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.” – John Muir
