By Melyssa Allen

Meredith’s Student Government Association has focused on a “Campaign for a Greener Meredith” throughout the 2006-07 academic year. As part of this effort, SGA has organized a week of environment awareness events leading up to Earth Day.

Events include the following:

• Meredith students will participate in the National Day of Action to Stop Global Warming , April 14 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the State Capital grounds.
• “It’s Not Easy Being Green…or Is It?” Panel Discussion, April 18 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Emissions Free Service Event, April 21.Meredith community members will meet in front of Johnson Hall at 8:30 a.m., and walk to the JC Raulston Arboretum for a volunteer service project from 9 a.m. – noon.
• Earth Day Celebration, April 22 – a picnic featuring a DJ from WKNC, 88.1, will be held at noon, followed by a tree planting at 2 p.m. in Meredith’s McIver Amphitheater.

Throughout the week, environmental awareness facts will be posted online by the Association for Meredith Commuters and SGA. Residence halls will also be a part of a recycling competition.

As part of “The Campaign for a Greener Meredith,” the SGA proposed that Meredith College hire its first sustainability coordinator. SGA leaders prepared an official proposal, along with a petition signed by 265 students, faculty and staff.

The sustainability coordinator position was approved by the Board of Trustees at their spring meeting March 29-30. This new position’s overall objective will be to promote sustainable practices in every aspect of college life. Some specific areas of focus will be education, energy efficiency, food sustainability and campus-wide involvement in environmental action.

For more information or to support the “Campaign for a Greener Meredith” efforts, email the SGA Student Life Committee at studentlife@meredith.edu.