Groups emphasize importance of environment, diversity
By SARAH RYKOWSKI
Saint Mary's News Editor
Saint Mary's Board of Governance approved a Student Environmental Policy Statement at their meeting on Tuesday. Allison Trdan, a senior anthropology major and environmental studies minor, submitted the policy on behalf of the Environmental Coalition. Trdan pledged her personal and group's support of the policy, which she said would last after her graduation in the spring.
"We don't have any formal commitment to the environment right now," Trdan said. "In the next five years we will have a lot of change on campus...[This policy] will make sure it's a good change."
Trdan's policy, endorsed by BOG, advocates reducing, reusing and recycling all waste materials on campus and making sure that all waste is deposited in the containers. The policy hopes to initiate student activities that will educate people on environmental concepts and issues.
As Saint Mary's begins to implement its five-year Campus Master Plan for construction and renovation of the college, the written policy will examine costs for each of the projects and assess the short and long-term costs to the environment.
Trdan next plans to take the policy to faculty and staff, and then to the administration for approval.
BOG also discussed a part of the policy that would create a position on the Board for an environmental ombudsman to oversee the implementation of the policy, and to voice concerns about environmental issues on the campus.
Akmaral Omarova, current diversity commissioner and founder and first president of the Diversity Board, voiced her support of Trdan's policy, and pledged that the Diversity Board would help oversee its tenets until a position on the Board becomes a reality.
"Someone in the Diversity Board will work on it next year," Omarova said.
Ed Foy, a junior at Notre Dame and next year's director of Teamwork For Tomorrow, asked for BOG's support and volunteers for the tutoring and mentoring program. Teamwork For Tomorrow is targeted toward the South Bend community's 8 - 12 year olds. The program, founded by students two years ago, pairs a college student with a child to work on reading, athletics, and healthy living.
The program is looking for two reading coordinators, who must be senior elementary education majors. The current coordinators are Katie Kennedy and Erin Long, both students at Saint Mary's. Students who are interested in volunteering should contact Molly O'Rourke, the current director.
"If you like kids, go, because it's so much fun," Erin Hall said. Hall, current BOG alumnae commissioner, participated in the program her sophomore year.
BOG also approved two co-sponsorships, one for RHA's conference at the University of Boulder from May 25 – 28, and the second for partial reimbursement for the paint used on the softball dugouts, which were painted blue by volunteers before this week's games.
"[Painting the dugouts] was big for school spirit and involved the student body," said Johna Indriolo, who presented the idea to BOG.
Student body vice president Michelle Nagle expressed her appreciation for the painters.
"I think you're a great example of Saint Mary's pride," Nagle said.
In other BOG news:
uRHA's national communication coordinator position is still open for applicants.
uGroundbreaking ceremony for the new Dalloway's and the Saint Mary's College Welcome Center at 1:30 p.m. on March 30.
uA Health Fair in honor of Nurses Week will be held from 3 - 7 p.m. in Reignbeaux Lounge, Le Mans Hall on March 30.
uSMC Tostal is scheduled for April 27.
uRHA will be sending two teams to the Fisher Hall Regatta on April 29.
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 29, 2000
