Housing and Dining Sustainability Advocates (HADSA) COVID Relief

The Housing & Dining Sustainability Advocates (HADSA) is a group of students who work on sustainability outreach and advocacy in the residential halls and dining halls. With reduced occupancy in the resident halls this year caused by the COVID pandemic, HADSA was cut from 11 funded positions to 1 funded position. Although RSSP expects to make a full recovery as the pandemic subsides, TGIF funding for five positions in the 2021- 2022 fiscal year will help HADSA continue providing much-needed outreach and sustainability initiatives for the housing & dining department. These positions are especially critical at a time when students are spending more time in RSSP facilities with the increase of virtual classes. HADSA is focused on outreach to students living in the residential halls through peer education initiatives related to energy conservation, gardening, plant forward diets, food waste reduction, sustainable food systems, and waste sorting. Since many of these students are first-years, the habits and perspectives they gain through exposure to sustainability are likely to leave a lasting impression throughout their time in college and beyond. It is our goal to equip students with the tools to be conscious consumers, compassionate humans, and stewards of the environment. To accomplish this goal, HADSA prioritizes interactive, inclusive, and memorable educational experiences including cooking demos, gardening workshops, themed meals, energy saving competitions, food waste reduction outreach, and feedback surveys. 

Project Goals: 1) Continue peer to peer sustainability outreach in the residential halls and dining halls; 2) Revive Nature Village & begin a compost site and native plants site at the UVA community garden

Project Leaders: Juliette Nast, Esther Ramer, Samantha Lubow