University Star

ASG ended the academic year on a green note.

Legislation passed at Monday night’s meeting entails that the senate supports Jason Sanders’ efforts with Bobcat Blend, a program designed to filter the trash output across campus.

“Really, all ASG is doing is just supporting what he is doing,” said Sen. Brandon Guerra, author of the legislation.

The program designates three main sources for the distribution of trash: recycling, compost and landfill. The compost will be used across campus, Guerra said.

“Currently, 100 percent goes to a landfill,” Guerra said. “That is pretty harmful. One day of waste at the LBJ Student Center adds to 153 trash bags. That goes to a landfill. What Bobcat Blend could do is make 34 percent of it compost, 8 percent recycled, and only 54 would continue on to the landfill.”

Guerra said the goal of this program is to reach 82 percent compost. Sanders obtained the necessary funding and the program is set to launch soon, he said.

According to the legislation, entitled, “Bobcat Blend,” the program will bring Texas State closer to being a zero waste campus.

“We will be the first school in the state to have this initiative to source separate trash,” Guerra said. “It is going to generate attention. People are going to say, ‘Hey, look at Texas State’s system of waste management.’ I think this is going to be a good image.”

Guerra said he wrote the legislation after Sanders came to speak at an ASG meeting.

“We have had many guest speakers,” Guerra said. “But when I heard Jason Sanders talk about the project, it seemed like such a big deal that I wanted to write the legislation supporting it.”

Jason Moore, ASG vice president, said Bobcat Blend is a great way for the university to start an important trend.

“Jason Sanders is going to be working it and he is hiring on more staff,” Moore said.

Moore said the actual compost bin is going to be located behind LBJSC by Arnold Hall. He said he agrees with the senate decision to support this legislation.

“It is very much a time when people are going green,” Moore said. “This is a great way to do it. Not only for environmental purposes, but it should also save the university money. With everything going the way it is, I think they did a great job in researching and a good job in asking questions. I do not have the chance to voice anything in the meetings, but I definitely agreed with it.”

The senate also passed new legislation regarding the computer logos on campus.

The legislation, entitled, “Money and Screen-Saving Marketing,” will mandate all computers on campus to have Texas State logos on the screen.

According to the legislation, the default 2009 to 2010 wallpaper would represent the university’s “Drive to Division One Football Bowl Series”, encouraging students to attend athletic events.

The installation of these new logos, implemented over the summer, will be during the next “ghosting” or refresh for the computer system.

Sen. Brice Loving, author of the legislation, said he was sitting in the McCoy Building computer lab when he noticed the multiple computers displaying the Windows logo.

“I thought we should change that,” Loving said. “Instead of generic backgrounds, I thought, why not be creative and display Texas State?”

Loving said this idea goes back to pride for the university and brand identity. He said the new logo will strengthen the image for the school.

“I am really excited,” Loving said. “This is my first piece of legislation. I definitely had a lot of support.”

Loving said the athletic logo will give new students the impression that athletics are a big deal for the university.

Both pieces of legislation were passed with full support of the senate.