By Laura Frazier
On March 29, ASUP passed three resolutions: one to improve diversity on campus, one addressing composting at UP and another to conserve energy and lower energy costs.
Resolution 10-08 requested that the administration implement a diversity action plan.
ASUP wants to work with the administration to create a system that will organize campus programs and create joint goals for improving campus diversity. Though it does not define specific action at this point, the plan would focus on not only enhancing the recruitment and retention of minority students, but also fostering diversity awareness and advocacy as well.
The resolution was spurred by a suggestion made by the President's Task Force on Retention and the fact that UP's mission statement directly states that the university is a diverse community.
ASUP Vice President-Elect Katie Scally, junior, is happy that the resolution is finally answering the requests of UP students.
"The student body has communicated their interest loud and clear and I acknowledge that students cannot take on the issue alone," she said in an e-mail. "With this resolution, we are looking to the administration for their help."
ASUP was inspired to draft the resolution based on the success of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Sustainability and the fact that this year's incoming class had the highest number of minority students. Also, ASUP created the resolution in light of the fact that similar universities already have a diversity plan in action.
Resolution 10-09 calls upon Bon Appetit, the main composter on campus, for help investing in a composting system that is specific to the UP campus.
According to the actual resolution, UP currently has a company pick up composting bins and then ship the compost to Seattle.
The resolution said that if UP has its own composting system, it would not only save money but decrease the carbon impact that comes from shipping the compost as well. UP would also benefit from a new system because they could use the compost on campus.
The resolution was passed, as it fit into the University's plan to be completely carbon neutral by 2040. It proposes that physical plant workers and members of SLUG maintain the compost system.
Resolution 10-10 also addresses UP's commitment to become carbon neutral.
The resolution calls for the reduction of power from electronics that can easily be turned off.
As of now, campus computers go into sleep mode overnight so that a file back up system can run. The resolution states that with the help of lab staff and a simple recoding of the computers, they could be shut off after the back- up program finishes.
According to senators, that would help reduce campus energy costs with minimal hassle.
"By turning off computers, overnight we can expect to save about $40 per computer per year," said senior senator Brooks Broom. "It's a low hanging fruit option that can make a big difference."
If these measures are taken, UP can also avoid the emissions of 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year per 100 computers, according to the Energy Star Yale University case study that acted as inspiration for the resolution.
