On-campus recycling focus of USS

Kelly Pickerel

At last night’s Undergraduate Student Senate meeting, Michael Hammond, senator for research and development, said the campus has a lack of recycling bins.

“I walk from the business building to the Student Center with a bottle in my hand, and I have nowhere to put it except in the garbage,” he said.

Hammond and Executive Director Katie Hale have been pushing for more recycling bins throughout campus. Hale said blue bins will now be placed near USA Today and The New York Times stands to help promote a better environment.

Hale said she’d like to see recycling bins outside next to garbage cans, but senate, along with Campus Environment and Operations, is still looking into that possibility.

“I’d like to see Recyclemania,” Hammond said. “Maybe a competition against Akron – who can recycle more pounds per student.”

Hale said some colleges already have competitions, such as Ohio University and Bowling Green.

“Why not Kent?” Hammond said.

Also, Hammond is promoting the USS Street Team, an informal branch of the senate. They will help poll students about campus issues and promote USS.

Hale said she doesn’t want the nine senators to be the only voice representing the student body, and that’s why it’s important for students to join committees and the street team. Applications are available in the USS office.

“I would love to one day see the Governance Chambers full of people,” she said. “Students should be on committees. Kids care about this stuff.”

Hale mentioned two other things students should be aware of.

Hale said Mobile Campus, the USS endorsed text messaging service connecting Kent State students and staff with local businesses, has big plans for Homecoming.

It will give 1,000 free T-shirts away at today’s pep rally in Risman Plaza and various Mobile Campus stands throughout campus.

Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar, located at 1708 E. Main St., will provide free smoothies to those who wear the shirts into the business Saturday.

And Hale said that voter registration for the November election ends Tuesday, and students can sign up in the USS office.

“All students have to do is fill out the paper, and we do the rest,” Hale said.

The USS office is located on the first floor of the Student Center and is open throughout the day. Meetings are at 4 p.m. Wednesdays in the Governance Chambers.

Contact student politics reporter Kelly Pickerel at [email protected].