Student Government Association Blog

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Green Days Ahead: Earth Week Events for 2025

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Happy Earth Month, Bears! My name is Izzy Lambert, and I am currently serving as the Chief Sustainability Commissioner (CSC) in SGA. As the current CSC, I oversee the Sustainability Commission and Sustainability Fund, ensuring both are running smoothly. The Sustainability Fund acts as a resource for students to utilize in creating a more sustainable campus & community here at Missouri State. Every semester, campus officials, including the president, match the fund amount produced by two dollars from each student’s fees. Any student can write a sustainability proposal, and the Sustainability Commission serves as a body that reviews these proposals, offering feedback and encouraging increased sustainable efforts on campus. A lighter aspect of the Sustainability Commission’s work is hosting a variety of Earth Week events. Below, I will explain each of the events and what you can expect to see from them. Both the Sustainability Commission and I would love to see you there! 

 

April features Earth Day, which we will be celebrating with our Plastic Bag Swap on Tuesday, April 22nd,  from 9 am to 5 pm in the PSU Atrium. This annual event allows you to get rid of all those plastic grocery bags you’ve been keeping for your trash but haven’t gotten around to using yet! At this event, every 10 plastic bags you bring will be 1 entry into a raffle for 1 of our 3 gift card prizes (Mama Jean’s, The Coffee Ethic, & Aldi). If you are a huge plastic bag collector, we will have tote bags for every 20 plastic bags you bring (limit of 1 per person).  

 

On Wednesday, April 23rd, we look forward to seeing you at our Earth Week Bingo. At this event, SGA & SAC will host bingo in the PSU Theater from 8 to 9:30 pm. Enjoying dirt & worm cups, along with blueberry lemonade with your friends, you will be able to win a variety of prizes. Including 2 electric scooters, Bear Wear, gift cards to sustainable stores, and items from Patagonia & Fjallraven, you won’t want to miss out! This event will also include information about sustainability in the world and on campus, serving as a great opportunity to celebrate Earth Day. 

 

Thursday, April 24th, the Sustainability Commission will be partnering with Chartwells in the Blair-Shannon dining hall from 11 am until 2 pm. Love Food Not Waste is an event that allows students to view the food waste accumulated at the dining halls firsthand. During this time, Chartwells & the Sustainability Commission will work to scrape food waste into bins, creating a transparent view into the waste we contribute to in college, and over our lifespans.  

 

Wrapping up SGA’s Earth Week events is our Street Clean hosted on Saturday, April 26th taking place at 11 am. This event will start at the Kum & Go on Kimbrough Street, ending at the east end of Elm Street. SGA will provide plastic bags, bags, and music. Come out and contribute to the sustainability of our Earth with us! 

 

The Sustainability Commission looks forward to hosting these events that offer opportunities for students to contribute directly to furthering sustainability. While our focus was on environmentally sustainable efforts, it is important to note that sustainability is so much more than using less plastic and keeping our streets free of trash. Per the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, furthering sustainability goals looks like creating more efficient, long-term successful economies, reducing inequalities, and establishing inclusive institutions. Being a sustainable citizen is vital to the future of our campus, institution, country, and world. If you are interested in getting involved with the Sustainability Commission, collaborating on a project, or submitting a proposal, reach out to me (Chief Sustainability Commissioner Lambert) via my email (ijl73s@missouristate.edu). Happy Earth Month!!! 

SGA Commissions Seeking Student Commissioners

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The Student Government Association’s Elections, Wyrick and Sustainability Commissions are currently seeking students to serve during the 2012-13 academic year.

The Elections Commission reviews the Elections Manual, secures a timeline for the following election and researches how to increase voter turnout. The Elections Commission also reviews petitions for candidacy, evaluates actions that potentially violate the Elections Manual and validates the election results.

Student members of the Wyrick Commission will assist in researching and approving or rejecting proposals for projects submitted directly by students, such as the Parking Counters in Bear Park South.

Similarly, students serving on the Sustainability Commission are charged with assisting in the development of sustainability initiatives. This includes distributing the Sustainability Fund for projects, previously including the bike rental program and hydration stations.

Student commissioners cannot currently serve in the Student Government Association or be the President or Vice President of any other student organization.

Those interested in joining any of the commissions are encouraged to email SGA@missouristate.edu/

For more information, please contact Riana Sears, Chief Communications Officer at Riana21@live.missouristate.edu.

SGA Supports Sustainability Proposal for Solar Panels

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Members of Student Government Association’s Senate moved recently to approve a resolution that supports the purchase and placement of solar panels on the rooftop of Meyer Library.

The project was taken to the Sustainability Commission as a proposal, but required SGA’s support since the $120,000 project would need to use more than 25 percent of the funds currently available to the Commission.

The solar panels placed atop Meyer Library will offset the nearly 32,000 kilowatts per year required to operate the lights within the JQH Fountain outside the library.

The addition of solar panels to MSU’s campus not only helps offset long-term energy costs, but also reaffirms the university’s commitment to ethical leadership and community engagement by promoting a cleaner and healthier environment on campus.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.

Spring Deadline Approaching for Sustainability Proposals

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The spring deadline for students or faculty interested in submitting a sustainability proposal to Student Government Association’s Sustainability Commission will be March 9, 2012.

Proposals submitted to the Sustainability Commission may aim to improve any aspect of sustainability at Missouri State, and will be reviewed and voted upon by all commission members.

Recently implemented sustainability proposals include filling stations for reusable water bottles in residence halls, additional bike racks for student use, and funding for a bike rental program.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.

Schneider Appointed as Chief Sustainability Commissioner

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Missouri State student David Schneider has been appointed to the position of Chief Sustainability Commissioner as the previous Commissioner, Paige Jenkins, begins her term as Student Governor.

Schneider, who has served on the Sustainability Commission for two years, will begin his duties at a busy time for the commission, as the March 9, 2012 deadline for proposals is quickly approaching.

Schneider is a junior from Rockford, IL and currently enrolled in Missouri State University’s nursing program. In addition to his work with the Sustainability Commission he also serves as the director of Dance Bear-A-Thon, an annual event benefitting Children’s Miracle Network.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.