Student Carbon Neutrality Network (SCANN) at the University of Michigan
Welcome to SCANN! We're thrilled you are joining us in solidarity as we push for a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future at U-M with our collective knowledge and power. This site is intended to serve as a springboard for new members and a resource for current ones. Find below our mission statement, how our network began, strategic goals for the year, how SCANN gets work done in a workstream structure, and a list of organizations currently engaging in SCANN work. The mission, history, and strategic goals were co-written and approved by all SCANN members.
Some upcoming additions to the site include: 'sustainability player map' and key report summaries written by SCANN members. We hope these tools will enable you to better navigate the complex, decentralized structure of the University, as well as better understand the work that has been done and commitments that have been made, all for the hope of finding new strategies to push for a more sustainable University.
Mission Statement
The Student Carbon Neutrality Network (SCANN) is a network of student organizations at the University of Michigan that share a common goal of a just transition to carbon neutrality at U-M. SCANN does so by holding U-M accountable for achieving its Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability goals while advocating for stronger commitments. We leverage our collective knowledge and power to advance the institution's decarbonization at a pace that is consistent with the urgency of the climate crisis and in line with the visions of the Common Agenda.
History of the Network
The Student Carbon Neutrality Network, also known as SCANN, was institutionalized into a key mechanism of the Student Sustainability Coalition’s collective impact work in April of 2022. Since then, the group has held monthly open meetings to discuss high-priority carbon neutrality issues at U-M, established itself as a strong environmental advocacy group, and built strategic relationships in all levels of U-M administration to advance its mission and strategic goals. Strategic Goals are revised at the start of each academic year.
23-24 Strategic Goals
SCANN utilizes strategic goals to guide action. These strategic goals are reevaluated at the beginning of academic year. For the 2023-2024 academic year, these goals are:
Standardize intentional student roles in sustainability-affiliated hiring processes and maintain working relationships with administrators across the University.
Increase student agency in decision-making and feedback mechanisms in order to accelerate progress toward U-M’s Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability Goals.
Maintain a living database representative of knowledge, actors, and recommendations relevant to Carbon Neutrality and Sustainability at U-M to facilitate collaboration and activate new ideas.
Create a space for SCANN members to share and activate project ideas related to Carbon Neutrality at U-M that further both student learning and sustainability.
Member Organizations
These organizations actively send representatives from their membership to engage in collective planning and action in the monthly SCANN meetings.
Urbanism Club
Sierra Club at University of Michigan
U-M Campus Farm Club
Net Impact
Energy Club at Ross
BLUELab
Engineering Student Government
LS&A Student Government'
Central Student Government
Students for Clean Energy
Citizens' Climate Lobby at University of Michigan
U-M Sustainable Food Program
Student Sustainability Coalition
Workstreams
SCANN is currently operating in a workstream-based structure as of November 2023. This structure seeks to actionize all SCANN members to 1) find a work type that aligns with their own organization's goals and 2) have in-meeting time to not only share updates, but to brainstorm their own projects related to U-M carbon neutrality and collaborate + strategize in real time! Find a description of each of our three current workstreams below:
Accountability and Communication: Tracks the progress the U has made, communicates externally, and mobilizes students to continue an iterative process of achievement and innovation. This can serve as the new purpose of a page on the SCANN website that will be updated regularly.
Living Knowledge: Compiles a comprehensive database of collective knowledge (translating into accessible language), which will enable students to connect to a variety of resource channels.
Student Idea Activation: Meets to discuss any innovative project ideas within the group pertaining to addressing Carbon Neutrality at U-M, discuss with other SCANN partners to consider logistics of implementation and share with larger SCANN membership for feedback and support in elevating to administrators.
Resources
