Almost everyone recognizes the importance of sustainability. Americans are beginning to prioritize environmental protection, create a renewable power economy and conserve energy. President Barack Obama's stimulus package, bills in the state legislature, and UF's sustainability programs have all made sustainability a priority to prevent energy waste and avert climate change.
So why is Student Government undermining the green push by attempting to defund a key sustainability group?
The many members of Gators for a Sustainable Campus have successfully pushed for a renewable energy fee, sponsored the recycling Green Team at home games, helped implement recycling programs at bars and apartment complexes and worked in the Gainesville community on local agriculture and in public schools. GSC has partnered with UF's Office of Sustainability for Earth Month in April and efforts to green transportation in Gainesville.
For its efforts, it has earned grant money and last year's campus Outstanding New Organization award.
Like hundreds of other student groups, GSC receives money from Student Government to carry out its work. This year, GSC requested about $6,000 - the same amount the group received last year and just a fraction of SG's $13.6 million budget. But in GSC's most recent hearing before the Student Senate Budget Committee, the committee made a preliminary vote to completely defund GSC.
The reason?
Student Government created its own sustainability agency, Gators Going Green, as an SG bureau. The agency's leaders would be appointed by SG officials instead of being chosen by grassroots advocates. Budget Committee members said that SG would not "double-fund" sustainability groups.
But Gators Going Green is an agency that, so far, exists only on paper - and GSC is an established grassroots student group. It makes no sense to defund students already doing the work. Some day, Gators Going Green might be a valuable partner, but it should not replace GSC.
Gators for a Sustainable Campus members - including outgoing and incoming executive boards - oppose the move to defund GSC, as does UF's Office of Sustainability. Even the director of SG's environmental affairs cabinet - the predecessor to Gators Going Green - thinks defunding GSC is a bad idea.
The Budget Committee should reconsider its position, and the Student Senate should vote to fully fund GSC. The sustainability of our campus depends on it.
Ben Cavataro is a Student Senator representing Hume Hall and is the Orange & Blue Party Leader.
