FALL 2007 GO GREEN UPDATE
Stevie Evans
Division of the Social Sciences Representative

My Overall Goal:

To create a more socially aware and environmentally sustainable campus both physically and culturally

Today’s Progress:

Fair Trade:

Products and commodities bought straight from the source instead of through a corporation or a “middleman” who ends up profiting more than the workers. It ensures equitable wages, environmentally sustainable practices and brings social services to the communities involved

The overall goals of this campaign are to:

1.     Promote social awareness

2.     Create a feverish demand for fair trade coffee, chocolate, fruit and clothing on the MMC campus

·     Surveys were distributed to gage the level of awareness and demand for fair trade products

·     Petitions for both fair trade coffee and fair trade candy have been signed by students

·     A coffee tasting sponsored by the International Studies Club was held to support and advertise the fair trade blends offered at Java City

·     Fair Trade chocolate was distributed to promote awareness

·     The Fair Trade Holiday Sale will be held Monday December 10th at 12p in the 8th floor space. You can purchase scarves, jewelry, purses, tree ornaments, candleholders and much much more from various countries around the world. Some of these countries include Cambodia, Kenya, India, Guatemala, Vietnam, Uganda, and many many more.

Greening the Campus:

President Shaver signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment in June 2007 and the President’s Climate Committee was established to uphold the pledge to reduce the college’s greenhouse gas emissions. This has proved to be a great incentive in promoting the dialogue and collaboration necessary in cutting down the school’s carbon footprint

The overall goals of this campaign are to:

1.     Foster a culture of sustainability

2.     Establish greener facilities

3.     Outreach at the community, country, and global levels

·     Recycling Awareness Day, sponsored by the GoGreen Coalition, was a day of awareness through the dissemination of information by students wearing “RECYCLE!” shirts. There was also a project board on display with illustrations to demonstrate what can and cannot be recycled as well as startling facts

·     Two town hall style “Greening the Campus” meetings with students, faculty and staff in attendance took place. These meetings served as open forums to discuss the future of our environment and what creative new ways the school can become more environmentally sustainable

·     Articles have been written in several campus-wide publications on the subject of the Greening the Campus campaign. The school newspaper featured several articles and “Ten Ways to Go Green” by the GoGreen Coalition. The International Studies Club Newsletter published an essay written by Kelsey Jordahl about the green initiative

·     “How to GoGreen” information and decorations posted on a bulletin board in the school’s lounge October 2007

·     Students attended a March in Washington Square on National Day of Climate Action November 2007

·     A website is currently under construction to promote the school’s green initiative as well as to provide environmental news and resources

·     Thanks to Aramark’s Eat Green campaign, the cafeteria now uses recyclable food containers instead of those made from Styrofoam and Java City now sells reusable water bottles

Tomorrow’s Goals

Fair Trade

·     Getting more fair trade blends at Java City, eventually making them all fair trade

·     Selling fair trade chocolate

·     Making the holiday fair trade sale an annual event

·     Have a fair trade sale at the end of every spring semester

·     To make sure all MMC garments are fair trade certified

·     Ensuring that the student body as well as faculty and staff are well aware and educated about the values of fair trade

Greening the Campus

The official theme of the 2008 – 2009 year is the environment. We are currently planning a variety of activities to promote awareness and support efforts to offset the school’s carbon footprint

·     The GoGreen Coalition will be hosting a fundraiser for Greenpeace through the selling of tote bags, Tupperware, to-go coffee mugs, reusable water bottles and dishtowels

·     Implementation of financial incentives to go-green such as discounted coffee at the school’s coffee shop for those who use a to-go coffee mug

·     Utilization of the school’s renowned speaker series for the subject of environmental sustainability

·     Integrate the green initiative into the school’s official website

·     Add more recycling bins and have art students decorate them in order to catch the eye of those who otherwise would throw their recyclables in the trash

·     Green-themed field trips and retreats

·     Collaboration with other campuses

·     The establishment a campus-wide environmental publication

·     Introduce an energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system

·     Have CFL light bulbs in all light fixtures

·     The implementation of environmental sciences courses in all divisions