On to the full Senate...

Earlier this evening, the bill that I have authored, "A Bill to Ensure the Continued Sustainability of American University," easily passed the Senate's Committee on Student's Rights and Academic Affairs. There were some slight changes made, all of which I was very pleased with.

Some key points in the Bill:
-Implementation of a five cent bag fee for all non-reusable bags that students take with their purchases
-Feasibility studies of ways to reduce light pollution, install green roofs, and divest the University's endowment fund away from companies that produce fossil fuels and other garbage like that
-Installation of an in-line water filtration system (this would mean no more filters on the faucets in residence hall lounges would be necessary, and the water in the drinking fountains would actually be safe to drink)
-All capable printers on campus default to print on both sides of the paper
-And my favorite: support for the University to attempt to secure funding from DC's "Streetcar Initiative" to build an electric trolley that would run from campus to the Metro. Why not?
-Several other things are also in there. Basically this is the most comprehensive piece of environmental legislation ever considered by the Student Government.

Not all of these measures will be popular. But they will have a lasting impact on the planet, and many of them (especially the water filtration) will immediately improve the quality of life for students. I urge the Senate to pass this bill on Sunday.

Special thanks to some folks that have helped the bill get this far: Drew Veysey and Jennifer Jones, and the Committee on Students Rights and Academic Affairs.

There are going to be plenty of bills coming before the Senate this week, and many of them could impact your life directly. Also some of them are useless crap. But either way, stay tuned.