While Alex did not win a Strauss Scholarship to create a community/educational garden here at UCI, the process of applying was invaluable to him making this project a reality. Concomitantly to applying for the Strauss, he applied to the Green Initiative Fund on campus. He received almost $20,000 – the equivalent of a Strauss Scholarship.
Then, he and his team worked with administrators through ASUCI to introduce and actualize the project. The main struggle was finding land that everyone was okay with. Finally, this summer, through the advocacy of the former and current ASUCI presidents, and through support from the Student Affairs office, they were granted a 1/4- acre in the middle of AV Housing! Alex is now the ASUCI Garden Co-Commissioner. Stay tuned.