news@dailylobo.com
ASUNM wants more funding for sustainability initiatives on campus.
In a meeting Wednesday, the senate unanimously passed Resolution 11S, which requests that UNM President Robert Frank form a committee of various UNM representatives to develop a proposal to create a student-governed “green” fund.
The proposal was created by Sens. Brandon Meyers, Isaac Romero, Rachel Williams; ASUNM Chief of Staff Gregory Montoya-Mora; Office of Sustainability coordinator and former Student Regent Jacob Wellman; and Residence Life eco rep Allix Stewart.
The green fund would support the efforts of the Climate Action Plan, which former UNM President David Schmidly signed in 2009 as part of an effort to reduce waste, energy usage and emissions on campus. Wellman said the University aims to decrease 80 percent of its carbon emission by 2030 and to be 100 percent climate neutral by 2050.
“Sustainability is a buzzword used a lot nowadays, and it’s important to take a step back and realize what sustainability means,” Wellman said. “It’s a three-part idea — economic, social, and environmental commitments.”
Wellman said funding for the project will ideally come from student fees. He said that once the green fund is created, $13 of every student’s fees would go to it, and will help finance student-led sustainability projects in the University, such as bike-share programs, solar panel installations, a campus farm, and an upgraded recycling system.
“The idea behind this is no project is too small,” Wellman said. “If sustainability is going to happen, everyone has to be onboard.”
Wellman said sustainability initiatives are crucial in conserving UNM’s natural resources for future students.
“We’re trying to refocus and recenter our commitment to sustainability,” he said. “Part of that is how the University is trying to better the world for the citizens of tomorrow.”
ASUNM President Caroline Muraida said she urges students to maintain their commitment to sustainability on campus, even after Wellman graduates in May.
“(Wellman) is graduating, so while he physically leaves, his ideas have to stay here,” Muraida said. “It’s not something separate; it’s something enterable in our University.”
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
