To see a video on Chancellor Martin’s first “Chats with the Chancellor”, click here.
Omeed Badkoobeh told Chancellor Michael Martin the University should be at the forefront of any new revolution.Students should be able to go to the University to learn about becoming more energy efficient, Badkoobeh, international studies senior, said at Wednesday’s Student Government sponsored and Martin’s first “Chats with the Chancellor.” Laura Mejia, elementary education junior, said the University is where students learn new ways to do things, and she said college is the perfect place to become more environmentally educated.Martin said he is considering signing the Presidents Climate Commitment for the University, but its effectiveness would require full support from the University community and not just a signature.The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment is a promise by university presidents and chancellors to build a framework for their respective campuses to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions.Martin signed the Commitment while serving as New Mexico State University’s president.Jordan Bantuelle, biology senior and Environmental Conservation Organization co-president, said the University needs to find ways to provide cleaner energy sources like solar and wind power.The University received a C+ on the 2009 College Sustainability Report Card, a project run by the Sustainable Endowments Institutes.The highest grade the University received was an A on investment priorities. The University’s foundation has been investing in community developments, according to the report card.The lowest grade was an F on shareholder engagement because the LSU Foundation asks its investment managers to handle all of the details of proxy voting.The University was also graded on the administration’s role in climate commitment, food and recycling, green building, transportation and endowment transparency.The C+ grade was a rise from the University’s previous grade, which was a C-. Public outreach and educational programs should be the University’s main priority, Bantuelle said.”We need to let students know what the University is going to stand for,” Bantuelle said. “Riding bikes and using less disposable items could be the first step.”Bantuelle said doing simple things like taking grass clippings and food wastes and turning them into compost would help the University save money.”Taking the cooking oils from the cafeterias and using them as fuel are things that would save the University money rather than costing them,” Bantuelle said.The University received a C grade on student involvement primarily because of ECO, according to the report card. It said students work on transportation, campus biking programs and climate change issues.Badkoobeh suggested to Martin that the University should consider replacing all of the University’s vehicles with more fuel-efficient cars.Martin said he has personally chosen to become more environmentally aware. He is given a vehicle by the University under his contract, and he decided on a Ford Escape Hybrid, which has about 34 miles per gallon.”I’m going to try it out and if it works out; I’m going to push that agenda,” Martin said.- – – -Contact J.J. Alcantara at [email protected]