After months of discussion, the Penn Garden has been given a semi-permanent location on campus: directly west of Rodin College House. Interested students have been working to start seeds for transplant as soon as the garden is completed, as well as other students discussing other operational aspects of the Garden. Furthermore, the Garden committee plans to submit a Management 100 project application for a group of freshmen to work on the Business and Organizational Plan for the Garden next fall. Project members are currently working to ensure the garden is staffed over the summer, and are installing a leadership structure for next year.
Last December, the UA funded a recycling bin pilot program, providing all residents of Fisher-Hassenfeld with a free recycling bin. The distribution kick-off party was held just last Sunday abuzz with free food, rubber ducks, and bins. If gauged successful, it is our goal to implement this on a much larger level. Stay tuned!
At yesterday’s Sunday General Body Meeting, the UA passed three documents. You can find the full meeting minutes here!
Through the Omnibus Recycling Resolution, the UA:
Supports efforts to fortify the student infrastructure for recycling,
Supports efforts to standardize recycling systems as well as material regarding on- and off-campus recycling,
Encourages University departments and centers to purchase recycled and recyclable plastics and paper,
Encourages the University to make use of its scale,
Encourages implementation and improved usage of Greek-recycling programs,
Encourages the University community to consider the true cost of products in their decision-making process.
Directs collaboration with other groups on ongoing recycling efforts.
In the ASL resolution, the UA
Affirms that American Sign Language is equivalent to spoken languages in complexity, cultural richness and educational value, and
Calls on the Wharton Undergraduate division to allow all foreign languages, including American Sign Language, to fulfill the language requirement.
Finally, the Bylaws Amendment:
shifted the duties of allocating certain seats amongst the NEC, SCUE, and the UA.
Categories: Academic Affairs, Housing, Sustainability, and Facilities, New Business, News Tags: Alec Webley, Andrew Roberts, Becca Elman, Dan Sanchez, GJ Melendez-Torres, Matt Amalfitano, Mike Chen, NEC
On September 16th, the University released its Climate Action Plan, a plan to reduce the University’s carbon emissions and enhance sustainability. This was the result of over two years of work, including the appointment of a University Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, and the creation of a guiding group, the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC). Numerous University entities contributed to the development of the plan.
The Undergraduate Assembly, among other student groups, has made sustainability a core part of its mission through its housing, sustainability and facilities (HSF) committee. It has helped for coordinate outreach out the plan, hosting the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, Dan Garofolo, for a town-hall style meeting. Student leaders from over campus were able to ask questions following an informative presentation.
The UA’s response to the Climate Action Plan focused on the principles of leadership, environmental effectiveness, and student involvement. It commended the University for its environmental policies, called upon the University to commit to carbon neutrality, recommended further energy conversation incentives, and urged the university to be work with students interested in sustainability, among other recommendations.
You can read the minutes from the meeting here.
The UA hopes to continue its work on sustainability. Those interested in getting involved can apply to be an associate member for the HSF committee.
The Climate Action Plan Resolution, authored by Dan Sanchez, was passed unanimously on Sunday, September 27, 2009. Discussion of this resolution and minutes from the meeting can be found here.
In honor of its recent renovations, our next meeting will be Sunday, October 4, 2009, at 9 PM in the MPR Room of DuBois College House!
