Letter to the editor: Enhancing Our University with The Sustainability Fund Initiative

While proxying at my first Western Student Government Assoiciation Meeting, I was abashed and in dismay of the discussion against supporting the Sustainability Fund Initiative (SFI) at Western Michigan University. These young representatives, who push school spirit by promoting fellow students to don the school colors are missing the big picture. By supporting the SFI you are generating creative pathways for you and/or your fellow colleagues to exceed in research projects that will be funded in the $8.00 per semester increase in tuition (which equates to about the cost of a case of atrocious flavored light beer for the academic year).

It seemed as I listened to these comments I heard notions of contradiction of supporting the university, and support only given if they personally could directly benefit from this diminutive rise on your tuition bill. Students from all academic colleges at the university will be eligible for funding from the Sustainability Fund through the fund committee.

The SFI will support campus-wide jobs, student‑driven initiatives such as sustainability marketing, senior engineering design projects, and sustainability education curriculum development. By supporting your fellow students you are indirectly reaping the benefits as this reflects on the university as a whole.

As financial assistance for backing proposed projects is depleting this offers an avenue to be an avenue that helps sustain applicable activities in our higher learning institution which will lead us to transgress beyond other schools.

Transitioning to a more sustainable campus is the future and WMU could be one of the leaders in the country if we strive to make it such a progressive university. I think the SFI is the foundation towards a positive shift that myself, my fellow students and the entire university will directly and indirectly benefit from. Not to mention the impact this will have on our own Kalamazoo community in implementation of sustainable practices.

Sustainability is basically being thrifty with our resources to reduce our ecological footprint. This progressive movement benefits the environmental vitality, improves economic efficiency, and enhance social well‑being of everyone.  So let’s be leaders and show our true colors and support Western Michigan University in making this a progressive and sustainable campus (Vote YES for the SFI on this week’s ballot). Western CAN be a more environmentally aware and proactive institution by infusing sustainability into its academic, research and operational missions. YOUR VOTE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

Adam J. Brown
WMU Student

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15704

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Mar 17 2010. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com