Student Senate recently voted down a measure to make Spring Fling more environmentally friendly.
Sean Greenlaw, Treasurer of Spring Fling went before senate explaining the Go Green initiatives attempted by Spring Fling this year.
“This year, our mission has been following the University mission of going green,” Greenlaw said.
Spring Fling investingated into instances from years past where the events have not been environmentally friendly, “One of the biggest things that we found that increases our carbon use has been the use of diesel generators,” Greenlaw said.
The generators are used to power the lights during the concert and other events that take place during Spring Fling. The committee decided to offset the damage of the carbon producing diesel generators in favor of cleaner bio-diesel fuel generators.
“The company we get the generators from offered us bio-diesel generators, which significantly reduce carbon emissions” Greenlaw said.
The issue with funds began when Spring Fling realized that creating an eco friendly event would be more expensive than the Spring Flings held in past years. The problem that we are running into is we do not have enough funds to put on the same quality of show that we have been bringing to the University over the past several years and be able to go green at the same time,” Greenlaw said.
Greenlaw went before senate in to represent the Spring Fling committee as a means to ask for $3,000 to help offset the cost of the generators.
“What Spring Fling is requesting from you is $3,000 that is the difference in costs in diesel generators and biodiseal generators,” Greenlaw said.
“When did you decide to go green?” Senator Dustin Siggins asked.
“We decided at the beginning of the year,” Greenlaw said. “I walked into the first executive board member meeting and said, ‘my goal this year is to make Spring Fling this year much more green than in years past,” Greenlaw said.
While in the past, Spring Fling has been able to offset the costs of the events through tickets and alcohol sales. Some senators question Greenlaw on the logic of waiting before announcing the need for extra funds.
“I was just wondering why it took so long for you to come to us. As we all know, just because it says biodiesel, it creates less emissions but will it pollute just as much. Just because you put bio in front of the word does not make it cleaner,” Senator Derek Birch said.
“Scientific evidence has supported the use of biodiseal fuels,” Greenlaw said. After some debate, the Senate concluded to offer $1,500 from reserves to Spring Fling. “I hope you will vote in favor of this, I know that going green is a topic that is discussed at length at higher levels, and I think that giving them half of the money shows our support for them while showing that this is not a handout,” Student Body President Trevor Chandler said.
“I feel that this is a good use of student funds. I think it is responsible number to go by,” Chandler said.
“I’m really not in favor of taking excess revenues to give to an organization that typically fundraises above $20,000 in ticket sales,” Treasurer Ezra Dalton said. “I would recommend you vote against this because I think the organization should think a little longer term next year,” Senator Dustin Siggins said.
Despite animosity from the Student Senate, the motion passed. Spring Fling was granted $1,500 for the green initiative. While Senate passed the motion, Spring Fling is waiting to hear from Vice President of Financial Affairs, Bill Crangle for approval.