University of Colorado Student Union
Legislative Council
November 20, 2008 70LCB3 Assembly for sustainability and equity
Sponsored by: Dan Omasta Representative-at-Large
Jacob Golding Sustainability Director
Dustin Farivar Tri Executive
Ryan Biehle Tri-Executive
Brittany Havey Representative-at-Large
Amie Ha Representative-at-Large
Authored by: Alexa Sample Legislative Affairs Director
Dan Omasta Representative-at-Large
UCSU Assembly for Sustainability and Equity
Bill History
In the Spring of 2006, the UCSU Legislative Council passed 64LCB10 to create the
Environmental Justice (EJ) Project Steering Committee. In the years since, the
EJ project has made substantial progress toward accomplishing its goals;
however, over the course of that time, the Environmental Justice movement has
experienced multiple transformations similar to the CU campus environment. After
extensive work and discussion, the EJSPC has decided that a more inclusive and
effective campaign will require institutional support and a more open
presentation. Therefore, EJ Steering Committee suggests replacing the EJ Project
and the EJPSC with the UCSU Assembly for Sustainability and Equity (CU ASE).
Bill Summary
This Bill hereby replaces the former Environmental Justice Project Steering
Committee as established under 64LCB10 with the new UCSU Assembly for
Sustainability and Equity (CU ASE). The structure and mission of CU ASE have
evolved into a more inclusive and long-lasting format, thereby allowing
substantial increases in student participation and outreach. Furthermore, the
improved ASE organization will allow UCSU and the student body to become more
aware and responsive to the growing social and equity problems arising from
environmental concerns such as climate change, pollution, waste, and drought.
Whereas, climate change degrades ecological systems, and therefore affects human
populations;
Whereas, climate change and any environmental degradation disproportionately
harms underprivileged and underrepresented communities;
Whereas, landfills, factories, power plants, and other polluting agents are
often located in communities that lack the financial support necessary to
advocate on behalf of the health of the residents;
Whereas, the University of Colorado at Boulder in FY 07-08 contributed to the
emission of over 149 thousand tons of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere (CO2 is
a major contributor to climate change);
Whereas, a portion of the energy purchased on behalf of the University of
Colorado and UCSU is generated by coal-fired power plants that negatively impact
the environment where the resource is extracted, as well as, the communities in
which the plant is located;
Whereas, the University of Colorado Student Union, as a leader in the local
community, strives to provide consistent support for diversity, social justice,
and environmental protection;
Whereas, CU ASE strives for a University of Colorado community that embraces the
five legs of Environmental Justice: environmental protection, economic vitality,
social justice, and procedural and geographic equity;
Whereas, CU ASE and the UCSU recognizes the importance of engraining the
principles of Environmental Justice into popular discourse and decision-making;
THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of the University of
Colorado Student Union, THAT:
SECTION1: This bill, 70LCB, shall replace 64LCB10, thereby establishing the CU
Assembly for Sustainability and Equity (CU ASE).
SECTION2: The CU ASE shall operate under the following bylaws:
ARTICLE I: The mission of the CU ASE is to use the resources available to those
assembled as members of the University of Colorado at Boulder community to
foster sustainability and equity in our spheres of influence.
ARTICLE 2: The assembly shall be made up of voting membership. Voting positions
may only be held by members of UCSU (students). There shall be no upper limit to
the number of voting positions. All voting members shall be ratified by the
legislative council. At minimum, the Assembly must include,
a. A UCSU Executive or a designated student-at-large
b. The UCSU Sustainability Director
c. The UCSU Diversity Director or his or her designee from among the Diversity
Commission members
d. A co-chair of the Environmental Center Board and/or a designee from that
board
e. Two students-at-large
i. At-large student positions to be ratified by the assembly.
ii. The assembly may add student at large positions beyond (2) at their
discretion with a simple majority vote. There is no upper limit to the number of
student at large positions.
f. A Representative Council Representative to be appointed by the legislative
council through its processes.
g. A Council of Colleges and Schools Representative to be appointed by the
legislative council through its processes.
h. Two Environmental Center student employees.
ARTICLE 3: In addition to the voting student positions, the board shall maintain
the following advisory positions,
a. The Environmental Center Director
b. Any other Non-student expert that the Assembly deems appropriate
ARTICLE 4: Two student voting positions will also go to Environmental Center
student staff (Article 2, i.) paid for out of EJ budget; these staff positions
are Environmental Justice Coordinator and the Diversity Outreach Coordinator.
The job descriptions of these positions are under the sole discretion of the
assembly, and acceptance and termination of individuals in these positions must
be approved by a majority vote of the assembly.
ARTICLE 5: Quorum for the assembly shall consist of seven (7) voting members of
which there must be present at least (1) representative of both the legislative
branches and executive branches of UCSU as well as (1) representative from the
Environmental Center Board and (1) student at large.
ARTICLE 6: A representative from the assembly shall report to the legislative
council at least bi-weekly, or more often as events or information arise.
ARTICLE 7: Funding for the CU ASE shall be allocated from the Environmental
Center Budget.
ARTICLE 8: Spending of any funds allocated under the heading of CU ASE must be
approved by a majority vote of the assembly.
ARTICLE 9: The exception to Article 8 will be the regular wage of the two
student employee positions, assuming their appointment has been approved by a
majority vote of the assembly.
ARTICLE 10: These bylaws shall be recorded in all forms accompanied by the
following appendix.
a. Appendix 1: the 17 principles of Environmental Justice
SECTION 3: This Bill takes effect upon final passage and upon obtaining the
signatures of the UCSU Legislative Council President and the Tri-Executives.
Vote Count
2/12/09 Passed Acclamation
2/19/09 Passed Acclamation
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