“The Relaxation Program is cancelled,” Daniel McDonald, a Student Government member, said.
Vice Chancellor Kent Kelso put his foot down when McDonald requested $1,200 for 36 hammocks. This was the first bill from Student Government that he did not approve.
“We purchased the hammocks two times, but then had to cancel the orders,” McDonald said. This was because McDonald did not know he needed a signature of approval. In order for funding to be given for a student government run organization, the Vice Chancellor needs to approve it.
“The program was not denied, just the funding for $1,500 worth of hammocks,” Kelso said. “I thought they were going to do a smaller project with just a few hammocks. Their request was denied under the caveat that they would consider doing a scaled down version to see if there truly was student participation.”
According to McDonald, he had a lot of support from his fellow SG members as well as some of the student body. The point of the program was for students to be able to relax and take a break on campus. McDonald’s vision included a meditation area and the possibilities of even a yoga instructor.
“We’re a laid back campus and we all need time to chill out,” McDonald said.
There is the possibility the hammocks will be purchased. This will only happen if Student Government President James Scott approves the funds from the executive budget. Even then, it would only be about four hammocks.
If they come, students would be able to rent them from the waterfront. The process is the same for a student who would rent a kayak. One goes to the waterfront with their student ID and requests the item they want to rent. The student has a certain amount of time to return it. If they go over a certain amount of time, they have to pay a $5 fee.
“I love and support the hammock idea,” Caitlin Greene, a freshman, said.
But according to Courtney Walker, a freshman, she would not rent one if it was work.
“I think it is a waste of money,” Nicole Cate, a sophomore, said. “They made a Facebook announcement that it was available and it wasn’t. SG needs to tell people things are available when they aren’t.”
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Recycling in the Dorms
“Great in theory, poor in practice,” Nicole Cate said in regards to the recycling program in the Residence Hall.
Last year, the recycling program in the dorms was shut down due to students mixing their trash in with the recyclables. Now thanks to Student Environment Awareness Society, it is back, but students are not thrilled that they are not getting everything they have been promised such as individual suite recycling bins. Unfortunately, only the first and second floors of the RHO have received them.
“The bins in the room would make things easier,” Susan Wanner, a RHO resident, said.
SEAS has partnered up with Waste Services, Inc. They pick up the most recycling items in the city. WSI is also providing free pick up and free bins for the RHO. The dorms are not the only recycling program that has begun this semester. The City of St. Petersburg has joined together with WSI and started a curbside recycling pick up. This has caused a shortage of bins.
When the program was originally cancelled petitions were sent around the dorms to try and get it back. According to SEAS, only three-fourths of the dorm residents signed the petition. Chris Hastings, the Repower America Campus Coordinator and SEAS Campaign Director, took it and a 30 page proposal to various committees including Student Government, but nothing really came from it at the time.
With the new year and the new program, recycling brochures were passed out to all residents and recycling in the dorms has gotten easier, even with the lack of personal bins.
“There are at least three bins on every floor,” Stephanie Lawler, President of SEAS. “They are for glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard.”
Recycling rangers are volunteers in the dorms. They are headed by Kate Dworsky, who is also the seventh floor resident assistant. Her job in the dorms is to collect the bins and make sure it is not contaminated with too much garbage. They empty the bins and sort it into the bins that are picked up by WSI. She was not available for a comment.
University of South Florida St. Petersburg saves about $2,000 per year. This is because recycling pick up is free, but the school does pay for trash pick- up. Recycling is campus wide, but there are some restrictions on where bins can be placed. For example, bins in the library need to be placed by the restrooms so they are not considered an eye sore.
If recycling is well received, SEAS is going to try and get other recycling programs started as well.
“We want to also recycle ink cartridges, batteries and cell phones,” said Lawler.
According to Lawler, recycling ink cartridges can be used as fundraisers to raise money. Batteries should not be thrown in the garbage because they can cause long term pollution. Collecting used cell phones can be donated to women’s abuse shelters.
“I like recycling and I think it is good for the environment,” Lexi Parr, a student assistant in the RHO, said.
Last year, the recycling program in the dorms was shut down due to students mixing their trash in with the recyclables. Now thanks to Student Environment Awareness Society, it is back, but students are not thrilled that they are not getting everything they have been promised such as individual suite recycling bins. Unfortunately, only the first and second floors of the RHO have received them.
“The bins in the room would make things easier,” Susan Wanner, a RHO resident, said.
SEAS has partnered up with Waste Services, Inc. They pick up the most recycling items in the city. WSI is also providing free pick up and free bins for the RHO. The dorms are not the only recycling program that has begun this semester. The City of St. Petersburg has joined together with WSI and started a curbside recycling pick up. This has caused a shortage of bins.
When the program was originally cancelled petitions were sent around the dorms to try and get it back. According to SEAS, only three-fourths of the dorm residents signed the petition. Chris Hastings, the Repower America Campus Coordinator and SEAS Campaign Director, took it and a 30 page proposal to various committees including Student Government, but nothing really came from it at the time.
With the new year and the new program, recycling brochures were passed out to all residents and recycling in the dorms has gotten easier, even with the lack of personal bins.
“There are at least three bins on every floor,” Stephanie Lawler, President of SEAS. “They are for glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard.”
Recycling rangers are volunteers in the dorms. They are headed by Kate Dworsky, who is also the seventh floor resident assistant. Her job in the dorms is to collect the bins and make sure it is not contaminated with too much garbage. They empty the bins and sort it into the bins that are picked up by WSI. She was not available for a comment.
University of South Florida St. Petersburg saves about $2,000 per year. This is because recycling pick up is free, but the school does pay for trash pick- up. Recycling is campus wide, but there are some restrictions on where bins can be placed. For example, bins in the library need to be placed by the restrooms so they are not considered an eye sore.
If recycling is well received, SEAS is going to try and get other recycling programs started as well.
“We want to also recycle ink cartridges, batteries and cell phones,” said Lawler.
According to Lawler, recycling ink cartridges can be used as fundraisers to raise money. Batteries should not be thrown in the garbage because they can cause long term pollution. Collecting used cell phones can be donated to women’s abuse shelters.
“I like recycling and I think it is good for the environment,” Lexi Parr, a student assistant in the RHO, said.
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