Posted on May 13: MSU introduces innovative sustainability office

McMaster Students Union is establishing a greener campus by creating the first student union established sustainability office in Canada.

Known as the Green Service, the office will be responsible for establishing and implementing environmentally friendly events and practices on campus, as well as disseminating information to students and staff.

This service is a product of a year's work by a group of students. Overseen by a part-time Green Service director, the service will also include an environmental events co-ordinator and an alternative transportation co-ordinator. These part-time employees will report to the Green Service Advisory Committee made up of representatives from various McMaster groups.

“Past attempts to implement environmentally friendly practices have had limited success at McMaster due to lack of structure and support,” says Adam Spence, MSU vice-president education. “This model increases the chances of success because it involves so many partners, and builds on current environmental initiatives.”

Partners in the Green Service include the McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Faculty Association (MUFA), McMaster University Staff Association, the CUPE local, University administrators, faculties, student faculty societies, the Green Coalition and others.

“I am very excited about establishing this group of university partners, which will add strength to the initiative,” says Allan Dafoe, president of the Green Coalition, a McMaster Students Union club.

The Green Service will combine current initiatives with new ones. The focus for the first year of operation will be MSU services and operations with hope to expand the service to a university-based sustainability office over time.

“I really think that by strengthening the MSU's commitment to environmental issues we are truly leading by example,” says Joanna Ranieri, MSU Environment Committee chair.

The Green Service will be responsible for a wide variety of environmental work including composting, environmental audits, events like the Tupperware challenge, Green Games, the Commuter Challenge, a carpooling rideboard, MACycle co-op, lobbying and policy work.