RHA votes to ban use of non-reusable plastic water bottles

The Resident Hall Association passed two resolutions at its meeting last night, one of which bans the use of non-reusable water bottles at meetings and another that establishes open forums to gauge student feedback on the dining food and experience at 251 North.

RHA officials said they were prompted to implement the legislation after the Student Government Association passed a similar bill last semester, which banned plastic water bottles at its meetings. Although the RHA initially debated the legislation, they eventually passed it 42 to 5, noting that the bill would help promote sustainability on the campus.

"I just think that this resolution is so important," RHA Public Relations Officer Meenu Singh said. "It's something that seems so minute because it's water bottles at meetings, but I think it really does have a large impact. We as leaders on this campus need to set an example of how to be sustainable."

But some RHA members said simply banning water bottles was not enough, and questioned why soda and tea bottles were not part of the resolution. Others said they were unsure of how effective the bill would be, if it could be enforced and if it was simply a way for the body to seem like it practices sustainable methods.

"I think there's going to be a tendency to support [the resolution] just for the sake of sustainability, but it doesn't mean we should compromise on things that don't make sense," said junior history major and RHA member Alex Bleiweis.

But many students said the bill was an effective way for the body to take simple steps to creating a more a sustainable environment.

"This is just one step for the university towards becoming a greener campus," said junior economics major and RHA member Marcela Lima. "I'm sure you could reuse plastic bottles, but this is just better in the long run for everybody."

The body unanimously passed the resolution concerning the 251 North open forums.

"The idea behind this is just for students to have a place to say, ‘This is what I like about 251 North, this is what I don't like about 251 North,'" said sophomore plant sciences and theatre major Dwight Townsend-Gray, who also authored the resolution. "[Dining Services] really values our input because they don't have a lot of ways to gauge student reactions besides surveys."

The groups will meet in Cool Beans, the coffee shop outside 251 North, on Nov. 14 and 28 and Dec. 7. Dining Services Senior Executive Chef John Gray and Dining Services Director Colleen Wright-Riva will attend the last two meetings to listen to students directly.

Some RHA members said the focus groups will be a valuable tool for students.

"I think it's nice to have these groups," said sophomore journalism major Jasmine Cruz. "It will be nice for students passing by to just see a flyer and be able to stop in and give input."