Res. halls get 'green' representation

By Candice Norrell
Sports Editor

Saint Mary’s University’s student senate passed a resolution in the spring of 2007 supporting a “green” campus. Now, the Office of Residence Life is working hard to do their part with the introduction of hall recycling representatives.
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“We came up with the idea [of hall representatives] at the beginning of this academic year while brainstorming ways to improve our current recycling program,” said Pines, St. Joe’s and LaSalle Hall Director Kristin De Vito on behalf of the Office of Residence Life.

An email was sent out at the beginning of the semester introducing the idea of the hall representatives and about 17 students replied, according to De Vito.

“Having reps will hopefully help us reach our goal of going green,” De Vito said. “While the university is taking steps towards sustainability, it starts in the residence halls. The easiest way each and every student can contribute is to recycle.”

Having at least one representative in each hall is the first step, De Vito said.

Duties of the hall representatives include ensuring every hall has a recycling room and maintaining it, encouraging fellow residents to recycle, and doing passive/active programming. Representatives will also help with publicity along with preparing, helping and planning ideas for future campaigns, such as “Leave it Behind” during move-out weekend and hall recycling competitions.

“Whatever time students are able to give is appreciated, whether they help with everything or only some initiatives,” De Vito said.

“The group is still in the process of getting going,” De Vito continued. “Going ‘green’ is something we need everyone’s help with—students, faculty and staff.”

According to De Vito, Pines, Hillside, Vlazny, Old Village, Watters, Benilde and St. Yon’s halls still do not have any representatives. If anyone is interested in becoming the hall representative for these halls, if anyone is interested in helping the SMU community “go green,” or if someone has ideas about what they would like to see on our campus, please contact De Vito at kdevito@smumn.edu.