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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Casey Barrons
Position (in student organization): Sustainability Chair
Date survey submitted: 7/21/09
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
1) Please describe the student-run campus environmental/sustainability organization in which you have a leadership role.
Name of organization: Western Student Association
Number of active members: 75
Website: www.westernstudentassociation.org
Date of last meeting: April 15th, 2009
Frequency of meetings: Weekly
Key issues addressed and programs implemented since August 2008:
- Phase out of Styrofoam and paper cups on campus
- Increase ratio of recycling bins to trash bins on campus
- Develop biannual campus luncheons for students, faculty, staff, and administration devoted to sustainability topics.
Progress made on each issue/program since August 2008:
- The WSA raised funds to implement the EcoMug program by purchasing a reusable travel mug for all incoming freshmen. The mug will be available to residence to use in all dining halls, campus cafes, and local businesses.
- While this resolution did not pass the WSA is still committed to reviewing the WMU recycling program to increase the convenience and collection of recycling.
- Last year over 40 students, faculty, staff, and administration gathered for a luncheon to discuss the recently published Strategic Sustainability Initiatives Report.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
2) Does your group organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please list details for each competition.
#1 - Name of competition:
Year initiated:
Frequency of competition:
Participants:
Incentives:
Goal of competition:
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website:
#2 - Name of competition:
Year initiated:
Frequency of competition:
Participants:
Incentives:
Goal of competition:
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website:
SUSTAINABILITY IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT
3) Does your student government include a specific position or committee dedicated to campus sustainability issues?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please describe:
The Western Student Association serves as Western Michigan University’s Student Government. Within the WSA the Campus Sustainability Committee (formerly known as Campus Concerns) hosts events and forums to encourage a regular dialogue between students, administration, faculty, and staff. The WSA brings resolutions on behalf to the student body to administration.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4) Please describe any additional campus sustainability activities or projects that you or your group has initiated at your school:
- Green Team: Each year the Division of Student Affairs hosts Bronco Bash, a welcoming event that highlights campus organizations. These organizations hand out fliers by the thousands. Green Team was a volunteer-based initiative that implemented recycling receptacles at Bronco Bash. Last year Green Team reduced waste by 70%.
5) Please list and briefly describe any other student-run organizations related to campus sustainability at your school, and provide URLs if available (e.g., student groups; student government committees; student-run food co-ops, gardens/farms, bike co-ops) and provide contact information of the student leaders, if possible:
- Gibbs House for Environmental Education and Research (www.wmich.edu/env/gibbshouse), Remy Long, remy.t.long@wmich.edu
- The Kalamazoo Peace Center (http://kzoopeacecenter.org) Benjamin Ayer, benayer@gmail.com
- Students for a Sustainable Earth (ssewmu.wordpress.com) Andrew Weissenborn,
a3weisse@wmich.edu
Questions 6 is for informational purposes only; your response will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
6) Please list any regional or national networks with which your group is affiliated (e.g., Energy Action Coalition/Campus Climate Challenge, Sierra Student Coalition, a state PIRG, a state student sustainability coalition):
Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition
Student Association of Michigan
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