Associated Students
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Resolution Supporting the Preservation of the
Humboldt State University Plant Operations Physical Recycling Collection
Program Adopted May 3, 2004 Whereas: The Mission Statement of the Associated Students
of Humboldt State University states that they "[shall be] an official
voice through which students' opinions may be expressed; foster awareness of
these opinions both on and off campus; provide services and programs as deemed
necessary by the corporation to meet the needs of the student and campus
community; and to stimulate the educational, social, physical, and cultural
well-being of the University community;" and, Whereas:
Humboldt State and the Associated Students has had a long history of
advocating environmental and sustainable responsibility; and Whereas:
The HSU Strategic Plan states that its vision for the future is to
"provide a socially and environmentally responsible education"; and, Whereas:
HSU has repeatedly stated its commitment to a sustainable campus and the
reduction, reuse, and recycling of natural resource-based products; and Whereas:
HSU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as
being "environmentally and socially responsible"; and, Whereas:
The Associated Students realizes that to maintain our environmental
responsibilities, we need to continue to minimize the environmental impact of
our use of natural resources; and, Whereas:
The Campus Recycling Program (CRP), was established in 1974, it began
the collection of aluminum cans in 1987, and became a successful Associated
Students funded program in 1989; and, Whereas:
The responsibility for collecting recyclables for the program was handed
over to University Plant Operations in 2001 so that the AS program could focus
upon composting and education, and will be eliminated on campus beginning July
1st, 2004 due to budget cuts; and, Whereas:
The environmental impacts of the closure Plant Operations Physical
Recycling Collections Program would be detrimental to the Earth, conflicts
with HSU's position as an environmental leader, and negatively impacts the
distinction of HSU graduates from other universities; and, Whereas:
State Assembly Bill 75 of 1999 requires that each State agency or large
State facility (State universities, community colleges, prisons,
etc…) to develop an integrated waste management plan by July 1, 2000; to
divert at least 25 percent of its solid waste from landfills or transformation
facilities by January 1, 2002; and to divert 50 percent by January 1, 2004;
and, Whereas: In 1998, HSU
became one of the first institutions in the country to achieve a 50% waste
diversion rate due to the efforts of the Campus Recycling Program and the Plant
Operations Physical Recycling Collections Program, six years before the mandate
50% reduction; and, Whereas:
The elimination of the Plant Operations Recycling Collections Program
would put HSU in noncompliance of AB 75, which is a mandated State law; which
would require HSU, "a State agency if unable to comply with the
requirements, shall notify the State Integrated Waste Management Board in
writing, detailing the reasons for its inability to comply and shall request an
alternative pursuant to § 42922 or an extension pursuant to § 42923
of AB 75"; and, Whereas: The City of Arcata
must also meet a 50% waste reduction goal under AB 939, of which HSU is a
factor in the municipality's overall percentage; Arcata could be penalized a
fine of up to $10,000 a day for the University's noncompliance; and, Whereas: Such an action
could potentially be detrimental to the relationship between HSU and the City
of Arcata; therefore be it, Resolved: That the Associated
Students recognize recycling as a fundamental responsibility of HSU Administration
and demand that HSU Administration continue funding Plant Operations Physical
Recycling Collections at its current level and follow the letter of the law;
and be it further, Resolved: That copies of this
resolution will be sent to, but not limited to, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed,
HSU President Rollin Richmond, the Campus Recycling Program, Plant Operations,
HSU Director of Physical Services, State Senator Wes Chesbro, State
Assemblywoman Patty Berg, the State
Integrated Waste Management Board, the City of Arcata, and the Lumberjack. Authored by Joshua Allen & Dusty Duley Associated Students College of Natural Resources &
Sciences Representatives _____________________________________________ _______________________________________
Christopher Cook, Representative
Randy Mishler, Representative
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences College of Arts, Humanities &
Social Sciences _____________________________________________ _______________________________________
Gretchen Kinney Newsom, President Kelley Kiesling,
Legislative Vice-President |