Submitted by LILY MURNEN
President, BGSU Environmental Service Club
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) student leaders hand-delivered a letter to President Mazey’s office today in pursuit of information regarding a suspended solar project for the campus.
After repeated attempts to reach President Mazey for comment, the students decided to deliver the letter calling for answers. The campus solar installation would be an addition to Bowling Green City Municipal Utilities solar array that should be completed by the end of 2016. In their letter, the students cite the BGSU Climate Action Plan, which states that the university is committed to carbon neutrality by the year 2040.
“By acting on a local scale to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we would be doing our part as a public institution to combat global climate change. Installing a solar array on campus would be a tangible example of this commitment.” – Lily Murnen, President Environmental Service Club.
The letter is signed by 31 student leaders, who hold positions in varied campus organizations such as Environmental Action Group, Undergraduate Student Government, and Environmental Service Club.
The letter reads:
An Open Letter Concerning Campus Solar Project
Follow ¬up on January 29, 2016 correspondence:
Dear President Mazey, Board of Trustees Members, and Master Plan Senior Leadership Team,
We are concerned that the University has not yet agreed to participate in the solar project that was proposed for our campus in addition to the city’s current solar development. As students attending a signatory university to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, we think that it is of paramount importance to invest in solar energy and, therefore, in our future. The BGSU Climate Action Plan states that the university is committed to carbon neutrality by the year 2040. Development of a solar array on campus would be an important and tangible step toward the university’s dedication to a greener future, which could be used as a powerful recruiting tool for prospective students.
According to the BGSU Master Plan, there are no development projects planned for the old construction landfill site, nor can this space support a building without undue expenses. By installing a solar array on this site, the university would also encourage experiential learning for the students—the policy makers and developers of the future. Direct curricular connections currently exist that would enhance the value of this solar project. Students learn about the solar industry in the Introduction to Environmental Science (ENVS 1010) course; in the Environmental Impact Statements (ENVS 4020) course, future projects could include potential solar arrays; students study solar feasibility in Energy Science (ENVS 4000); and develop future solar technologies in the Renewable Energy and Energy Sustainability course (ECET 2050). Researchers in BGSU’s Center for Photochemical Sciences are currently working to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic solar panels. What could be more conducive to learning than BGSU’s own small solar array on campus?
The financial resources needed for this project are available, and furthermore this project would help strengthen the City¬-University relationship. We respectfully ask you to reconsider and make a positive decision for the future of our university and city. Please let us know what concerned students, faculty, and staff can do to make this project a reality.
Sincerely, Matthew Cunningham, President of Environmental Action Group (cunnimd@bgsu.edu) Lily Murnen, President of Environmental Service Club (lmurnen@bgsu.edu) Amy Puffenburger, Non-Traditional Student Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Frankie Pinckard, Kreischer Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Austin Hall, College of Education and Human Development Senator in USG Nathan Burkholder, At¬Large Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Erica Harrison, Founders Hall Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Hayley Hoss, College of Musical Arts Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Brandon Willinger, Honors College Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Jack Amburgey, At¬Large Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Austen molyet, Off¬Campus Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Richard Racette, Arts and Science Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Salvatore Cahi, Falcon Heights Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Zach Hendricks, At-Large Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Luke Savot, Diversity Affairs Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Paige Reinhart¬Anez, MGC Senator in Undergraduate Student Government Rachel Renou, Harshman Senator and Academic Affairs in USG Ebonee Johnson, Speaker of Senate in Undergraduate Student Government Ashley Blackmore, NPHC Secretary Logan Wimsatt, Alpha Sigma Phi Recruitment Director Samantha Sinn, Environmental Action Group Treasurer Bryce Davis, Call To Action, BGSU NAACP Sean Herman, The Common Good Kaitlyn Trent, BGSU Class of 2014, graduate student Kenyetta Johnson, Environmental Action Group Greg Jensen, Environmental Service Club Michael Butler, Environmental Action Group Event Coordinator Sarah Kozlowski, Environmental Action Group Assistant Event Coordinator Kerry Owens, Environmental Action Group, The Common Good Gabby Ysassi, Environmental Action Group, Environmental Service Club David McCruter, Vice President Greenhouse Club Daniel Myers, Environmental Action Group Public Relations Officer T.J. Fleming, Treasurer of Greenhouse Club Diana Thornton, President of Greenhouse Club Ben Terry, Greenhouse Club Eli Barber, Environmental Action Group, Ecology and Conservation Association Tim Kleman, Ecology and Conservation Association Piper Jones, Environmental Action Group, Environmental Service Club Shaina Harmon, Environmental Service Club Luz Edler, Environmental Service Club Christina Deehr, Environmental Science student Sarah Bail, Ecology and Conservation Association President Ben Gordon, Greenhouse Club
