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Associated Students of the University of Washington |
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A Resolution in Support of the Creation of the Campus Sustainability Fund WHEREAS this is the first year that the Student Senate has approved a legislative agenda with sustainability as one of our legislative priorities; and WHEREAS the ASUW Legislative Agenda states that “the ASUW believes that environmental sustainability is a core value of the UW. We advocate support of the UW's core mission of teaching, research, and practice of environmental sustainability;” [1] and WHEREAS the Campus Sustainability Fund’s mission statement is to “create a sustainable campus and foster an environmentally conscious university culture by funding student-led projects that improve the university’s environmental impact;”[2] and WHEREAS “the University of Washington, through President Emmert, is a founding signatory to the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment(3) (ACUPCC), and is committed to developing an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral;”[4] and WHEREAS the Climate Action Plan commits the University of Washington to reach carbon neutrality by the year 2050;[5] and WHEREAS the Climate Action Plan recommends the creation of a student fee as a possible mechanism to fund campus sustainability projects;[6] and WHEREAS as of May 2009, there are 62 currently active student funded sustainability funds at other world-class institutions of higher learning nationwide;[7] and WHEREAS “the EPA announced that greenhouse gasses threaten public health and welfare of the American people,” and “scientific consensus shows that as a result of human activities, GHG [greenhouse gasses] concentrations in the atmosphere are at record high levels;”[8] and WHEREAS the University of Washington emits over 220,000 pounds of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide;[9] and WHEREAS 46% of waste from the UW goes directly to landfills;[11] and WHEREAS the University of Washington uses 1,000,000 gallons of water on campus per day;[12] and WHEREAS the Campus Sustainability Fund Working Group proposes that the fund be created under the Services and Activities Fee, as it is the most democratic, accountable and transparent method for instituting such a fund; and WHEREAS the Services and Activities Fee funds invaluable student programs such as the Associated Students of the University of Washington, Childcare Assistance Program, Classroom Support Services, Counseling Center, Ethnic Cultural Center and Theater Complex, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, Hall Health Primary Care Center, Q Center, Recreational Sports Programs, Services and Activities Fee Committee, Student Activities and Union Facilities, Student Legal Services, and Student Publications;[13] and WHEREAS the Campus Sustainability Fund Working Group has thus far collected over 3000 signatures of support, over 32 endorsements from registered student organizations, and will continue to outreach to groups on campus to garner student support and awareness for the proposal; and WHEREAS the Campus Sustainability Fund Working Group and the Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability has currently collected over 80 project proposals from students, faculty and staff amounting to over $2,500,000, showing a current demand for the fund; therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON: THAT the ASUW supports the creation of the Campus Sustainability Fund under the structure proposed by the Campus Sustainability Fund Working Group through an increase and/or re-allotment of the student Services and Activities Fee; and THAT the ASUW supports the long-term vision of a Campus Sustainability Fund coordinated entirely by student employees, housed in a student-centered location, and that these goals are best met through a process of annual review by the CSF student committee; and THAT the ASUW supports hiring a full-time staff coordinator for the fund, provided that the position is temporary and will only be maintained during the initial start-up of the fund for two years; and THAT the ASUW requests that the CSF be located in the HUB when the HUB reopens and as soon as space is available; and THAT a copy of this legislation be sent to UW President Mark Emmert, all members of the Services and Activities Fee Committee, GPSS President Jake Faleschini, and ASUW President Tim Mensing, UW Vice Provost for Student Life Eric Godfrey 1. UW Legislative Agenda 2010 2. Campus Sustainability Fund Proposal Mission Statement 3. “Text of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.” American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. 26 January 2010. 4. “Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability.” The University of Washington. 26 January 2010. 5. University of Washington Climate Action Plan 6. University of Washington Climate Action Plan 7. Bintliff, Jacob. "Student Green Funds: 1997 - 2009". University of Illinois. 26 January 2010. 8. United States Environmental Protection Agency 9. Climate Action Plan Committee, "University of Washington Climate Action Plan". University of Washington. 26 January 2010. 10. "New Releases Issued by the Office of Air and Radiation". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 26 January 2010. 11. University of Washington Climate Action Plan 12. Finance & Business Services, "UW: FS: Finance and Business Services: Utilities Usage". University of Washington Facilities Services. 26 January 2010. 13. "Services & Activities Fee Committee: About S&F Fee Committee". University of Washington Services & Activities Fee. 26 January 2010. *co-writers History of Legislation 02/3/2010: Submitted for consideration |
Legislation ID: Date Submitted: Sponsor: Cosponsor(s):
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