by Heather R. Gabel
ASUNM Vice President
and Lorenzo Garcia
ASUNM Senator
Earlier this semester you read about the ASUNM Senate's goals for the spring semester and the respective ad hoc committees that were formed to accomplish these goals.
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During the next couple of months, I have asked the chairpersons of these three ad hoc committees to co-write the ASUNM columns and let the student body know what they are working on.
Today, you are going to read about the wonderful job the recycling committee is doing.
Last semester, the ASUNM Recycling Committee's goal was to learn about the University of New Mexico's current Recycling program and assist it in any way possible. Currently, UNM recycles approximately 1 million pounds of recyclable goods annually. Most of the recycled material consists of various types of paper, as well as cardboard.
Aluminum is also recycled in selected areas on campus. As of now, five individuals are employed under the UNM program, three fulltime and two part-time. In the fall semester, the ASUNM Recycling Committee attempted to find ways to expand the recycling program on campus, however the committee ran into many obstacles. The UNM program only recycles aluminum, cardboard, white paper, colored paper, newspaper and computer paper. The ASUNM Recycling Committee attempted to help expand the types of goods recycled to include plastic, glass, and possibly tin, but the Committee's main obstacle was funding.
The UNM Recycling Coordinator Dean Jojola explained that because plastic, glass and tin do not create revenue for the UNM program, they do not recycle these items. The UNM program is currently funded through the University Services Department.
The Recycling Committee learned that University Services is in charge of providing funds for various departments on campus and that there are simply not enough funds to expand the UNM program at this time. After learning about the funding predicament, the ASUNM Recycling Committee decided to create a goal that could be measurable and obtainable by the end of the spring semester.
This semester, the ASUNM Recycling Committee decided to establish a recycling program in the Student Union Building by the time it opens. The result of the committee's goal was somewhat limited do to the amount of materials that UNM currently recycles. Because the UNM program only recycles aluminum, cardboard and various types of paper, the SUB will collect only those goods. This is because the SUB does not have the funds to transport recycled goods and will rely on the UNM program to transport them. This means that the SUB will only be able to recycle aluminum, cardboard, and various types of paper.
Unfortunately, other more commonly used materials, like plastic, glass and tin, will not be recycled in the SUB. At this time, the Recycling Committee is working with the President of the Hispanic Honor Society to help create some type of recycling program for the Resident Hall Association.
The committee is optimistic that at the very least it will create greater awareness concerning recycling at UNM, however, we are hoping to start a recycling program for the residence halls and will continue to work hard to accomplish our goals.
We hope you take the time to contact us if you have any other suggestions for the recycling committee or any other aspect of ASUNM. We will also be sponsoring a Tuition Forum on Wednesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. in the Kiva Lecture Hall. If you would like to learn how our tuition is calculated and what you can do to ensure the lowest tuition increase possible please come listen and let your voice be heard.
