This fall semester, Prairie View A&M University’s Student Government Association (SGA) revealed its new “Go Green” initiative to students across the campus. The “Go Green” Initiative is a simple, environmentally sound program that is designed to create a culture of environmental responsibility on campuses throughout the United States.
SGA President Robert Powell, who inherited the program from the past SGA President over a year and a half ago, finally got the ball rolling on the recycling program in the spring of 2009.
With SIFE already contributing the green effort under the criteria for environmental sustainability, Powell felt that it was necessary to echo the notion and create an executive board position to address this issue. Now with the help of Kyle Maronie, the director of environmental sustainability for SGA, and Courtney Neville, co-director of environmental sustainability for SGA, Powell has managed to acquire recycling bins that enable the students, faculty, and administration to effectively start “Going Green.” This new initiative comes on the heels of a nationwide effort to get the country to “Go Green.” From President Barack Obama to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, the urgency of saving the natural resources through sustainable energy has been pushed to the forefront.
In order to provide quality living for future generations, the country has made a concerted attempt to curb the billions of tons of environmentally unfriendly products. In reaction to this endeavor, campuses across the country have been proactive in following in the new direction the country is headed.
“The Student Government Association funded the initial cost of the 96 gallon bins located in the buildings, while the university bought the small containers for the offices throughout the campus,” said Powell.
Abitibibowater, the eighth largest publicly traded paper and pulp manufacturer in the world, provided all of the large green and yellow dumpsters. Abitibibowater is a company that is among the world’s largest recyclers of old newspapers and magazines, and it produces a wide range of newsprint, commercial printing paper, market pulp, and wood products.
The Abitibibowater Company has dedicated itself to picking up and recycling the university’s bins every other Monday. The funds that are raised from the recycling program are being put into a separate account, and will be voted on by a representative of organizations and/or an individual. The representatives will come from every college, major, and discipline across the yard to make sure every student has a say in where the funds should be used. Student activities and programs will be the main target for the proceeds, but the monies will be flexible. “The students will be able to use the money wherever they see fit,” said Maronie.
Even though the program is up and running, SGA still needs organizations and individual volunteers to grab a hold of the vision and keep it moving smoothly.
“So far, the men of the freshman building that I oversee have been the main contributors to the campaign,” said Maronie, “Other than them, we haven’t had much help. We really need students, especially organizations, to get involved and adopt a building.
For the individual students or organizations that may be interested in joining the “Go Green” Initiative, go to the Office of Student Affairs & Institutional Relations page on the PVAMU Web site and sign up under the Service Learning Tab.