SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICES

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Advance sustainability initiatives by establishing programs to promote environmental stewardship, resource conservation and community engagement. 

Phase II

• Create a program that recognizes student organizations for implementing sustainable practices in their operations and events. Develop a clear set of criteria for the certification program, focusing on areas like event sustainability, waste reduction, energy conservation, and community engagement.

Phase III:

• Establish a committee to review applications and award certifications based on the defined criteria. Provide feedback to organizations that do not meet the requirements to encourage improvement and begin a certification process for those that meet the criteria. 

Implement a framework for sustainable practices on campus focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable transportation, while fostering a culture of environmental awareness and responsibility.  

Year Round:

• Expand and promote the use of sustainable transportation options like bike-sharing and carpooling on campus through student-led awareness campaigns, incentives, and partnerships with local transportation providers.

• Establish a direct pipeline for any excess food from campus events to be donated immediately to the Campus Cupboard. Additionally, diversify the resources available at the Campus Cupboard–items that would include personal care items, laundry essentials, etc.

• Establish an effective platform for the exchange of books and dorm items collaborating with organizations such as Augie Thrift and those engaged in the areas of sustainability.

KEY SUCCESSES:

•  The establishment of the ASA Green Certification Program which is a sustainability-focused initiative designed to encourage and reward student organizations for adopting environmentally conscious practices. 

• The Viking Lyft program has undergone multiple restructuring since September 2024 to make the program sustainable and equitable to all students on campus while balancing the fiscal realities. 

  1. • Phase I (September 2024): The integration of Sioux Area Metro (SAM) On-Demand services and full coverage of the monthly SAM passes while providing 8 Lyft passes in a semester. 

     • Phase II (November 2024): SAM services were changed to cost-sharing model with $1.50 capped for SAM services while increasing Lyft passes from 8 to 12 passes a semester in light of falling temperatures in Sioux Falls when long wait times are impractical and unsafe because of the weather. 

     • Phase II-Extension (February 2025): The program was further evaluated and allocation was readjusted. 

     • The restructuring of the program reduced the ASA's spending on the program by 58%. The funding was diverted into creation of the research and internship position that covered the whole campus. 

•  To address the ride access needs of the students on campus, President Johnston and Vice President Adhikari have been in talks with multiple Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) rideshare solution partners such as Via Transportation Inc. and UniGo and are in talks with the providers and university administration to agree on a plan that ensures optimum returns on investment and responsible use of the student activity fee dollars. 

• The President and Vice President have extended partnership with the Office of Sustainability co-directed by Dr. Julie Loveland Swanstrom and Dr. Will Wright to further expand and standardize Green Certification Program and its sustainability course component. 

• The President and Vice President are also collaborating with SALT and Augie Green for a campus wide ASA recognized Earth Week event and further reaffirm ASA's commitment towards environmental sustainability.