Enviroslug

Vote Yes on the Sustainability Power House!

Measure 38- Investing in energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy.

Measure 39- Investing in creating a local, organic and sustainable food system on campus.

Measure 41- Investing in the Campus Sustainability office.

Voting Begins Wednesday May 13- and ends Wednesday May 20.  Remember to vote by going to elections.ucsc.edu

Supported by Student Environmental Center, Education for Sustainable Living Center, Green Campus, PICA, and Students for Organic Solutions.

Measure 38

In 2006 we voted yes on Measure 28 which purchased Renewable Energy Credits to offset the campuses energy usage which has made the campus “100% renewable energy campus”. This past year there has been a question of the validity of these renewable energy credits and has made us ask are we really a “100% renewable energy campus?” This has propelled us to change the way we invest our money. Measure 38 changes the language of Measure 28 which allows us to invest in energy efficiency projects on campus, on-site renewable on campus, local offset programs and REC’s. The Measure provides the opportunity for students to invest our money for practices that directly reduces the campuses carbon emissions.

Benefits:

• Invests in energy efficiency projects to reduce the energy consumption of the campus.
• Invests in on-site renewable such as solar panels, wind turbine, and etc.
• Student’s device where the money goes.
• Reduces the campus carbon foot-print.
• Invests in local off-set program.
• No new student fee or fee increase

Measure 39

This measure seeks to provide resources to fund on and off campus student programming, increase local, organic options for on campus eateries, increases education and research opportunities for students, provide information to boost student's understanding of the food system, and create a more just and sustainable food system for all.  The cost would be $3.75 per student, per quarter.

Benefits:

• Increase the amount of local, organic, sustainable food on campus by increasing funding for dining halls and cafes to purchase these foods.
• Increase funding for food-related student organizations, such as PICA and SOS, and student research projects on the food system.
• Create a wider variety of internship opportunities for students who are interested in getting involved with food system issues
• Maintain support for the UCSC Farm and Garden network
• Support food-oriented events on UCSC, such as the Fall Harvest Festival, Strawberry Shortcake Festival,  and Food System Learning Journeys through OPERS
• Cost? $3.75 per student, per quarter

Measure 41

This Measure is proposed to graduate and undergraduate students as a temporary fee of $3.75 per quarter. Measure 41 will only be assessed in years in which the administration also agrees to contribute at least 75% of what the students are paying towards the Sustainability Office. This creates a shared student and administrative commitment to sustainability, a strong model for future collaboration. If passed, it will provide financial support for the continuation and development of campus sustainability and the campus Sustainability Office. Currently, our sustainability office is under-staffed, under-funded, and in jeopardy. It was created as a 2-year pilot program and only has one staff position- the campus sustainability coordinator. And while our sustainability program is a great start, it is also relatively limited considering the expansive nature of sustainability- the more people and resources we can devote the better!

Benefits:

• The funds will go to new and existing campus sustainability projects, events, and organizations, providing financial support for student hires, and potentially hiring a part-time staff to help coordinate student involvement.
• Although student money inherently gives students a stake in campus sustainability operations, the measure also creates a board with student seats to advise the funds.
• Measure 41 is important because by making our campus more efficient, we can lower quickly rising resource costs. A little now will save a lot over time.
• We can also provide job, volunteer, and learning opportunities to our fellow students in a professional atmosphere that allows them to work with campus staff, faculty, and administration. This is particularly relevant because there is a new wave of green jobs and clean energy that students should be prepared for and be able to learn about now.
• Of course, we are all also responsible for the carbon footprint of our education- sustainability saves our environment, people, and animals and is just the right thing to do!