I have gone abroad this semester, and can’t usually keep abreast of campus affairs. But, one astounding thing which did manage to flash across my radar was a recent bill passed by the Undergraduate Senate on Jan. 24th. Entitled “A Bill to Express Support for an Appropriate Clean Energy Revolving Fund,” this bill actually served to undermine the long-term effectiveness of the Clean Energy Revolving Fund (CERF) because it precludes even a discussion of green fees or student government contributions down the line. CERF was designed to bring clean energy to this university in order to reduce our environmental impact, and in doing so, to realize the vision of AU as a leading institution for sustainability. This exact goal is articulated in the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to which we became party in 2007 thanks to the hard work of EcoSense and forward thinking vision of our President Neil Kerwin. Fulfillment of the ACUPCC is further enshrined in the Strategic Plan adopted the following year. This same principle is echoed all around campus with signs boasting that The American Dream is Green. Ultimately, this act violates our university’s core ethos – “Ideas into Action. Action into Service.” In order to make our university the leading institution which it aspires to be, we need a strong CERF. For this reason, I applaud SG President MacCracken’s veto of the bill. I further applaud the Undergraduate Senate for having ears and eyes open enough to realize their folly in passing the legislation last week, and deciding to uphold SG President Andy MacCracken’s veto in yesterday’s session. Clean energy is the way of the future. A strong, effective CERF will make AU a leader in realizing that future.
Each of the above referenced documents is available for reference on EcoSense’s new Web site at auecosense.com
Alex Thorp SIS 2012
The Undergraduate Senate took AU in the right direction when it sustained SG President Andy MacCracken’s veto of the Appropriate Clean Energy Revolving Fund bill on Jan. 31. The CERF promises to be one of the most exciting and beneficial community initiatives enacted in years, and the Senate had passed legislation in the previous session that would effectively prohibit student government from participating in the program. MacCracken was right to veto this measure and the Senate deserves credit for working to invest in clean energy, lower our campus carbon footprint and make AU a national leader in the movement to create a more sustainable society.
In 2006, a resounding 71 percent of AU students in a university-wide referendum expressed support for clean energy on campus. The Undergraduate Senate heard the voices of AU students and delivered promising to write a new pro-CERF bill allowing SG to fundraise for clean energy on campus. These efforts should be commended but pressure on student leaders should not stop until meaningful steps are taken to make AU more environmentally friendly.
Together through Student Government, campus organizations and students concerned about the environment, we can make AU a carbon neutral campus, lead the way in clean energy innovation and invest in a sustainable future.
Stephen Bronskill SPA 2013
