(James Bilowus)
The Student Senate voted to dissolve the Environment Committee on Tuesday evening after hours of deliberations. Senate plans to replace it with a Student Concerns Committee, which will handle both environmental and diversity issues.
The move comes days after former Environment Chair Joseph Grinnell’s efforts won SMU an environmental award. MTV announced last week that the university is one of its five “Break the Addiction Challenge” winners. The contest was put on by MTV and Campus Climate Challenge. SMU was awarded a $1,000 grant for earning media recognition for the students’ success in lobbying to join the EPA Green Power Partnership.
Students and staff members attended the meeting yesterday in hopes of squeezing in one last argument before the final vote. Joseph Grinnell addressed the senate, saying all the efforts of the last three years would go to waste if the committee was dissolved.
The Environment Committee collected 279 tons of recyclable goods in 2005 and 285 tons in 2006. The committee is also responsible for the Boulevard recycling during football season.
“Recycling on The Boulevard is our baby,” said Christine Dougherty, Environment Committee chair.
Dougherty said the committee’s programs are long-term and it would be in the university’s best interest to leave the committee the way it was.
Student Body President Taylor Russ said it will strengthen the groups to combine them and if it didn’t work then senate could always change it back.
“The passion for the environment will never die, but at times it will dwindle,” said Russ.
The proposal formed by the Research and Recommendations Committee’s proposal depletes the environmental group and requires environmental issues to go through the new Student Concerns Committee. As it stands, the new committee would form its own internal bylaws.
Some senators were concerned that the chairs of the new committee would be taking on more work than if there were separate committees for environment and diversity. An amendment was proposed to the Research and Recommendations Committee, but was voted down.
Senator Ben Hatch, who spoke on behalf of the Research and Recommendations Committee, voiced concern about possible last-minute amendments to the proposal.
“As Student Senate we are about openness, transparency and dialogue – not about the eleventh hour,” said Hatch.
The final vote resulted in a passing of the proposal with 31 yeas, zero nays and one abstention.
“This will make senate a better organization,” said Katherine Tullos, student body vice president.
