This most recent Connecticut College Student Government Association (SGA) meeting (which took place Thursday, Feb. 29) started off quite well. Right off the bat, quorum was met which means that at least 25 members of SGA were in attendance and therefore, meeting minutes from the last meeting could be approved, motions could be voted on, and more. The primary focus of this meeting was a request by Matthew Greenberg ‘25, an Office of Sustainability Fellow, to use the Sustainable Projects Fund (SPF) on composting in independent living communities and dorms with kitchens, such as Lazrus or Abbey House.
The process would start with students signing up for a compost bin, which would then be picked up biweekly and returned to them. The compost would be used as fertilizer in the Sprout Garden and for a number of other purposes around campus. Greenberg seemed particularly enthusiastic about student participation in this initiative and talked about how it would “foster a community of environmental stewards while engaging and educating students on sustainable practices.” He then asked SGA for $405 from the SPF for 20 composting bins, made of high-quality, smell-proof material. If authorized, the money would be coming from the Sustainable Projects Fund, which currently has approximately $35,000.
Initially, SGA members were worried students would be confused on what to compost. In response, Greenberg assured that the Office of Sustainability will be working on an initiative to put signs and other educational programming on the bins and around campus so that the information would be easily accessible to students. Greenberg also mentioned that an educational Powerpoint on how and what to compost, as well as the benefits of it would be sent to students who signed up for the program.
SGA members were also curious as to what other options on campus there would be to use the compost, outside of the Sprout Garden. Greenberg said the Office of Sustainability is currently focusing on the use of compost just in the Sprout Garden, but may be willing to branch out in the future. This offers interesting potential for any relevant committees to explore the future of composting and sustainability on campus, in partnership with the office!
After the presentation, committee reports were held. A committee informed SGA that Mary Savage would be coming in next time and bringing pamphlets about the College’s emergency protocol. In addition, the Finance Committee met with Mock Trial and agreed to grant them specialty funding. Other committees reported on construction projects around the school: there are plans to set up more solar panels via the Office of Sustainability. They have a goal of completing the solar array by 2025, but there are concerns that this project along with the renovation of Cro would result in a lot of emissions on campus at the same time.
There was also talk of editing the bylaws over spring break, for the upcoming Senate elections. The next SGA meeting will undoubtedly start with a recap of these changes, if any were carried out.
The meeting was adjourned following that, and SGA officially ended for the first half of the spring semester! With a few months left of the school year, SGA will undoubtedly work hard and make some new motions for the College- provided they reach quorum, that is. Stay tuned for another edition of the SGA column in April!
