SGA leads student sustainability on campus

Sustainability has been a point of emphasis for the Student Government Association and the current administration headed by President Isaiah Grayson.

“It’s important for students to get involved in growing the sustainability initiatives on campus because it’s our campus, a place a lot of us call home,” Grayson said.

This past spring, Grayson appointed Sonia Birla as the liaison to the Office of Sustainability to help advance sustainability solutions on campus. Together Birla, Grayson and the SGA have prioritized cross-campus collaboration and communication to pave the way for positive change and growth throughout the year.

Leading the Student Sustainability Summit

The SGA and the Office of Sustainability hosted the first Student Sustainability Summit in Fall 2020. The Summit began as an SGA-led event to offer Charlotte students an opportunity to learn about the resources available to them to make the campus healthier, safer, and more accessible. Past summits featured presentations by Charlotte faculty, staff, student organizations and community groups to offer examples and inspiration for brainstorming sessions among students.

Since 2020, the Summit changes themes every semester. This year, the focus will be on the SGA and how students can work with representatives to make their sustainability ideas a reality. Grayson said this change is valuable in allowing students to create something that lasts beyond their time at Charlotte.

During the Fall 2024 Summit, held Thursday, Oct. 3, Grayson and Birla presented on the basics of sustainability and the role SGA plays in campus initiatives. Dr. Mike Lizotte, the university sustainability officer, presented on major initiatives students spearheaded in the past. Some examples included establishing a student green fund, asking the Chancellor to set climate action goals and declaring the stadium a zero waste facility. The Summit also touched on specific sectors around campus including housing, academics, health and wellness, and the climate. Students also brainstormed ways to make a positive impact on UNC Charlotte.

Moving forward, the SGA will continue to collaborate with the Office of Sustainability and they will soon begin planning the Spring 2025 Summit.

SGA Efforts on Campus

This school year, the SGA is developing a range of sustainable initiatives to promote environmentally friendly habits across campus.

One effort centers around transportation. The SGA is encouraging students to utilize micromobility forms of transportation including e-scooters and bikes. The University currently provides 24/7 access to micromobility through Lime. The SGA is organizing large-scale group biking events in the spring to promote eco-friendly transportation on campus.

Later in the month, SGA will hold a Halloween costume reuse event, encouraging students to swap or recycle costumes instead of buying new ones. This initiative not only reduces waste but fosters creativity and community engagement, said Birla.

SGA’s goal is to make sustainable practices accessible and wide-reaching across campus to create a culture of sustainability at UNC Charlotte.

“It’s always amazed me the impact that students can have on students, and I believe that Campus Sustainability Month typically has a great impact,” Grayson said.

Getting the Word Out

Last year, an increase in digital and physical signage promoting sustainability was a priority for the SGA. Birla said the impact is already being felt in awareness and action.

“We have already seen a rise in student-driven ideas and green fund proposals, indicating that more students are becoming aware of sustainability initiatives and feel inspired to contribute,” Birla said.

Encouraged by the success of the signage campaign, Birla is committed to finding new forms of messaging to get the word out on sustainability. She also encourages students to collaborate with the SGA and pitch new ideas to make Charlotte more sustainable.

“We’re always open to new ideas, so if you have suggestions on how to enhance our sustainability efforts, we’d love to hear them,” Birla said. “Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our campus.”