Associated Students (A.S.) is working on a new project to establish better recycling on campus.
A.S. started CSUN’s recycling program in 1991 and now under the guidance of Cyndi Signett, recycling coordinator, a recycling feasibility study is being conducted.
“This study was contracted for $7,500,” said Signett. “The project overall, however, will cost more than that.”
The study is being conducted by many organizations, including: TerraSolutions Consulting, Laurence Kuhn, LEED AP and Tracie Onstad Bills, she said. The A.S. Recycling Feasibility Study Team, a group of students, A.S. and CSUN staff are working to get this project up and running.
“$130,000 has been set aside for this year’s costs if the project is approved,” Signett said.
A.S. President Abel Pacheco said the money is coming from “the reallocation of funds within A.S. because of the Campus Quality Fee (CQF).”
“In short, the CQF helps fund athletics and lessen the burden on A.S. so it freed up funds to do certain projects this year,” Pacheco said.
The project is set to take one to two years if it is passed by the A.S. Senate and reviewed and approved by the Campus Planning Board, he said.
The CQF takes out a small amount of students’ tuition each semester and uses it toward projects such as this one.
“A.S. leading a project like this is a great idea because CSUN will be not only the heart of the valley but also the recycling hub of the valley with a state of the art facility,” Pacheco said.
Not only will this project help improve the recycling on campus, but it will also provide jobs and new opportunities for students, Pacheco said.
“This facility will benefit students because it will provide job opportunities on campus to operate it, increase the amount recycled, the efficiency of the operation, and continue to show our leadership in the sustainability movement,” he said.
Students who know about the study are not content with how the money will be used.
“Classes are being cut and tuition is being raised and they want to drop that kind of money on recycling,” said Hannah Goodman, 23, a CTVA major. “Take care of the students academic futures first.”
Kenny Moreno, 19, computer engineering and music major agrees with Goodman.
“Aren’t we in no position to be spending money like that,” Moreno said.
