Sustainability

Prioritizing Sustainability. We plan to affirm Sustainability as a priority of the university, creating institutional support for sustainable programs and initiatives, which includes renewing the current sustainability plan that is set to expire in 2024. This will require asking students how they feel Student Assembly and William & Mary have addressed Sustainability concerns and how we can continue to improve. 

Sustainable Programming. We propose reviving old sustainability initiatives, such as Eco-Reps and RecycleMania. These events help engage the student body with the Office of Sustainability while adding aspects of fun competition and collaboration that would benefit any student. 

See: Eco-Reps on Move-in Day, RecycleMania

Learning Sustainability. We wholeheartedly support the outgoing administration’s Sustainability Learning Objective Resolution and efforts to include a Sustainability course requirement within our COLL curriculum. We will continue these conversations with student leaders and administrators involved with the Quality Enhancement Plan to ensure it becomes a reality.

See: Sustainability Learning Objective Resolution, Quality Enhancement Plan

Working with and bolstering sustainability-focused coalitions. We plan to continue collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and the Committee on Sustainability. In addition, we plan to continue building a greater community of sustainable campus organizations through the Student Sustainability Council, fostering open communication regarding the W&M community and its environment by expanding Student Sustainability Forums to include faculty and staff and completing the Sustainability at W&M Handbook. 

See: Office of Sustainability, Committee on Sustainability, All Things W&M Sustainability

Establishing relationships with Facilities Management. We will collaborate with Facilities Management to efficiently address student concerns and ideas regarding Grounds & Gardens, Waste & Recycling, Energy Management, and Stormwater Management. We will advocate for sustainable landscaping-such as planting native species-to improve water conservation. In addition, we will advocate for increasing waste diversion from landfills by improving recycling and compost education coupled with expanding compost bins on campus. 

See: Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Creating sustainability-based learning environments. To cultivate a community rooted in the connection between the environment, society, justice, and the individual, we will continue to advocate for the Department of Sustainability's ongoing initiative to create a sustainability-themed learning living community. Similar to other current learning living communities on campus, the sustainability-themed learning living community would host educational events and create resources with a faculty member to further peer education and initiatives in the world of sustainability.

See: George Mason's Environment and Sustainability Learning Community, James Madison's Environment and Sustainability Learning Community for First Years 

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. We understand that recycling is sometimes inaccessible and sometimes not being properly accomplished, despite recycling bins being in every academic building. To promote recycling and reusing, we hope to bring back interactive and informative student-led campaigns to ensure that items are being properly recycled and/or donated. We propose reviving previous partnerships with Habitat ReStore and implementing recycling through Terracycle to further reduce waste.

See: TerraCycle, Habitat ReStore @ W&M 

Advocating for sustainable transporation. As two people without cars on campus, we understand the frustration behind the bus system and the WATA app when it comes to trying to buy groceries or get a change of scenery in Williamsburg. With the Williamsburg City Council, we plan to work on expanding opportunities for sustainable transportation by continuing to work with WATA and improving bike infrastructure on campus (we know bricks aren't the most conducive for wheels)

Promote the use of sustainable products. We will work towards seeking funding in partnership with the Office of Sustainability to subsidize a supply of compostable utensils and sustainable event materials for RSOs to incentivize hosting environmentally responsible events. In addition, we will continue to raise awareness and accessibility to sustainable menstrual hygiene products. 

Demolition. Construction. What about our trees? Green spaces that surround our Residence Halls promote mental and physical well-being, and trees are of utmost importance when it comes to a healthy and beautiful environment. With ongoing construction and Residence Halls being demolished, little thought is given to the trees and other forms of biodiversity present on our campus. 

In 2022, our campus community was taken aback by planned development in College Woods. We should be advocating and fighting against the unnecessary removal of trees. In working with The Office of Environmental Health & Safety and the Grounds & Gardens Department we will seek solutions with students and faculty to ensure that the removal of every tree and other flora within construction sites is justified.

See: The Office of Environmental Health & Safety, Flat Hat: Development proposal threatens college woods