Post-Election News
May 11th, 2010
You elected me, Stevenson, and I’ve hit the ground running to get on top of the things you care about!
First let me introduce my executive board:
SGA President: Jessica Swing
SGA Executive Vice President: Nick Farano
SGA VP for Finance: Stefani D’Addario
SGA VP for Commuter Affairs: Zack Fowler
SGA VP for Community Service: Rashard Harvey
Senior Council President: Brian Brooks II
Junior Council President: Christina Miles
Sophomore Council President: Collin Diesenberg
Now down to some business!
Yesterday my VP Nick & I had two meetings to speak with faculty and administration about the things that concern you. The first meeting was with Tom Hopkins, director of academic advising, 16 year adviser for the Environmental Club, and chairmember of the Sustainability Committee.
We discussed the obvious – Recycling. Mr. Hopkins told us how between the club & the committee small blue paper recycle bins have been placed in every office space around campus. The next step is to get recycling into dorm rooms. But it’s more tricky than you think. Recycling bins cost money. BIG $$$$. Think thousands… It’s not the recycling itself, but the equipment, the bins, etc.
The debate is between single-stream (all in 1) recycle bins on each residents floor or one on the ground floor. I’m hoping and encouraging for 1 on each floor. The next cost is individual rooms. The debate is whether or not students would have a legit container to transport and contain the recycled materials while in the room. They want to ensure that no mess is created, no drips fall, that, ultimately, nothing can contaminate the hopeful recycled goods. If the budget permits, each room will receive a new bin. Even if it doesn’t I’m sure that with a friendly reminder of the summer to bring a recycle bin, students would be willing to spend a few bucks to help out mother Earth.
The final issue is At Once, our campus cleaning service. While many wonder “are they even placing the recycled goods into the proper bin,” the biggest concern is, “are they even able to?” Think about it. If students have a bin solely for bottles, cans, cardboard, & paper, will they be able to lift the weight of the bottles & cans? Especially after a big party weekend. The push cart only helps them get to the dumpster, but once there they must lift it x number of feet up and toss it into the recycle bin.
I hope students understand our concern in this matter. It is for this reason that come Fall 2010 we may start out slowly with just paper until alternative means can be found. But again, these are all things we will be working for over the summer.
If you have any comments or ideas on the above, please feel free to e-mail me at jswing@stevenson.edu.
Nick & I next met with Mr. Robert Reed, director of auxiliary services where we discussed the Food Service on campus. Also, VP Nick is now the top liason between food services and students when it comes to the dinning experience.
Mr. Reed explained to us that an Amendment was in place for the dining hall to have a Continuous Dine. What does this mean? It means that from the time dining opens at 7:0o a.m. it will not close until 7:30 p.m. There will be no break, no time when you cannot come in to find something to eat. You will not only have the option of Pandini’s mid-day.
The catch is, however, that students should not expect to come in with a full-out meal throughout the day. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner will have the usual, with the grills burning. In between students will be able to get basics like salad, cereal, grill items (burgers & fries), etc.
Additionally, food services is looking to put a coffee cart in the School of Business. Due to the lack of space, they are looking to place it on the first floor (basement).
Lastly, tuna will now be Albacore. Yay for good quality tuna.
If anyone has any questions or comments about this, I encourage you to contact Nick Farano at nfarano@stevenson.edu.
Our next meetings include a discussion about Stevenson Online (SGA, club blogs, SUconnections) and hopefully with security.
Again, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesistate to talk to any member of the SGA or class councils.
Thank you.
