The end of MacGreen

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On Jan. 10 the Student Representative Assembly voted to terminate MacGreen as an MSU service following the end of the 2015-16 academic year, quietly ending the sustainability program that had been in place since 2003.

Based on comments from VP (Administration) Giuliana Guarna, the recommendation came after several months of discussions with the SRA's Executive Board, MacGreen's Part-Time Manager and staff from Ath&Rec that had been instrumental in creating MacGreen over a decade ago.

“When we create services, we do it to fill a gap, to meet a need that isn’t being met on campus. At the time, MacGreen was the only sustainability or environmental group on campus, but because of the pressures from creating MacGreen [as well as] general student interest, the university had to respond,” said Guarna.

Since MacGreen's inception, a number of initiatives have come to overshadow the necessity of having a service dedicated solely to sustainability issues.

MacGreen’s operating policy states that one of its primary objectives was to work in conjunction with other University bodies to raise awareness of environmental issues and disseminate relevant information.

Guarna noted that the original intent was for a green service focused on education and advocacy, but many of the expectations and policies at the time have now been taken up or fulfilled by the university. Much of MacGreen's work today involves educational and recreational events, ranging from a hiking series to a conference planned for later in the semester.

The academic front is amongst several steps made by the university towards improving sustainability on campus. In 2008, the Office of Sustainability was established, and while the sustainability program is tied to the Engineering faculty, any student today is able to complete a Minor in Sustainability.

Considering the influx of new MSU services over the past few years — including Maccess at the beginning of this academic year and WGEN the year previous — it's surprising to see a cutback in the programs the MSU offers. However, as Guarna explained, the MSU services ultimately exist to meet the needs of students, which continue to shift and expand over the years.

Michele Zaman, part-time manager of MacGreen, explained that while discussions had been open between her and the Executive Board, talks about the continual viability of the service have gone on for a few years.

“I understand why the MSU is doing this, and the reason I’m okay with this is that I know the MSU will continue to advocate for sustainability," she explained.

No formal outline has been made on how to replace MacGreen, but Zaman expected discussions to continue and come up with an alternative before the end of the year.

“Sustainability is really popular on campus," she commented. "[Several] MSU clubs advocate for sustainability ... and McMaster is really involved with sustainability and the environment in Hamilton, but I would still feel so much more comfortable if, before the end of this term, something is set in stone.”

Guarna stated that the current plan was to put resources into creating a committee within the MSU, and her hope is for it be specifically focused on addressing and educating students about key issues on sustainability.

"While it's important to take an overview of sustainability practices, I don't think we can truly be sustainable unless people are educated on how to be sustainable," she said.

The importance of education and advocacy was reiterated by Zaman, who is hoping to end the year on a bright note.

“I’m just trying to end the year off positively, make sure that this runs over smoothly and hopefully there’s something else that comes in place of MacGreen."

“I can’t make an event and give someone sustainability; it’s something they have to do themselves.”

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