Aquaplex Solar Array Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

AS Prsident Tyler Boden cuts the ribbon at the solar array ceremony

e3 execs Erin, Holly, Josh and Tara join AS execs to pose with the $286,166 rebate check

e3ers were honored to join SDSU's Associated Students (AS), AS Green Love, Sullivan Power and California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) to celebrate the new solar panel installation at last Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Aquaplex.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as a $286,166 rebate check issued to Associated Students by CCSE for the California Solar Initiative program. Guest speakers included Stephen L. Weber (SDSU president, Tyler Boden (AS president), Grant Mack (AS Green Love commissioner), Christine Kehoe (senator), Kevin Faulconer (former AS president and District 2 city council member), Marti Emerald (District 7 city councilmember) and Daniel Sullivan (founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power).


SDSU’s Aquaplex solar array will generate enough solar power to reduce the emission of 299,940 pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere each year and will generate roughly 241,887 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. The solar system which consists of three separate ground-mounted arrays, each with 280 photovoltaic panels, will save AS more than $35,000 a year in electricity costs, according to Grant Mack, AS Green Love commissioner.

The funding for the project was paid by a fee increase that the student body imposed upon themselves in spring 2008. The event will unite local education, business and political sectors around renewable energy generation in higher education.

::e3 election results::

(Fall 2009 exec board)

We would like to congratulate our Spring 2010 exec board! After conducting interviews and an open election, we are confident in our execs for next semester. It excites and encourages us to know that we have such an intelligent, exceptionally motivated and environmentally conscious exec board for the Spring. We are inspired by all of you and can't wait for you to contribute to e3's positive impact at SDSU and in the community as a whole.

**We are still searching for a student to fill our VP of Marketing and VP of Web Content positions. VP of Marketing is a very important position, especially with our April 22nd Earth Day event next semester. If you are interested please call Tara at (831)227-1436 for more information.**

Spring 2010 exec board:
PRESIDENT Erin Lannon
CEO Tara Kelly
VICE PRESIDENT Holly Hellerstedt
CFO Josh Van Lente
COO Amanda Marrow
VP MARKETING TBD
VP ADVERTISING Sammy Tollin
VP MERCHANDISE Carla Minnichhofer
VP FILM/MEDIA Juan Borja
VP MEDIA RELATIONS Kara Riekstins
VP PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING/SPONSORSHIP Justin Hanson
VP GREEN RESEARCH Ariel Warstadt
VP EXTERNAL AFFIARS Kenzie McDonald
VP GREEK OUTREACH Keven Coe
VP ON-CAMPUS NETWORKING Daniel Citron
VP WEB CONTENT TBD

350 Candle Light Vigil- in Balboa park (12/11/09)

As part of a weekend of climate action organized people all over the world will gather at iconic and strategic locations in their communities. Together, we will light candles of hope to stand in solemn solidarity with the citizens of the nations whose very survival is threatened by the climate crisis.

These nations are calling for a "survival pact" for commitments by the developed world to cut emissions enough to get the atmospheric concentration of CO2 back to 350. They know the simple, mathematical truth of global warming: 350 = Survival.

Please come out and join our vigil in Balboa park:

Friday, December 11 at 06:30 PM
Place: 1549 El Prado, San Diego, United States of America
Host: 350 and e3

Spring 2010 e3 elections

e3 will be holding elections for 2010 Spring executive positions on Thursday, December 3rd from 6-8 p.m. in Council Chambers (lower Aztec Center) during our last meeting of 2009. The applications are online at www.clube3.org.

why be e³ ::

• build a professional network

• enhance your resume

• network with top executives

• engage in progressive philanthropic work

• find cool ways to “green” your life

• indulge in fun social events

• turn the ideal into the real

• separate yourself from other job applicants

Please contact Tara at TaraKele3@gmail.com if you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding this election.

CSSC Fall Convergnece @ UCSC Recap

e3ers enjoyed a lovely weekend during the California Student Sustainability Coalition's (CSSC) Fall Convergence at UCSC November 6th-8th. The weekend was full of workshops, panel discussions, tasty locally grown organic food, sleep over's at The Grange, beautiful walks under the trees at UCSC and beautiful, bright and open-minded people. The location of the CSSC's Spring Convergence is TBA.

Kick Gas Recap

Thank you to everyone who helped volunteer at the Kick Gas Festival, a fabulous event co-produced by three e3 alumni, Matt Nelson, Rae Gurne and Annie Bessinger. The October 24th event, which tied into 350.org's international day of climate action, included:

91X Sustainable Waves Solar Stage
featuring MATISYAHU!!
Plus 20 more bands and DJs!
The Sterling Collwood Sustainable living Zone
K1 Speed EV Auto Cross Racing and Showstopper Wax EV Car Show
Want to show off your EV?
OB Farmers Market Zone
Ocean Beach Surf and Skate Interactive Zone
Go Vavi Fun Zone
Earthlist.com ECO World Zone
Also including local artists, Julian Hard Cider Adult Beverage Garden
…and a Kick Gas Time!

At the height of the event there were 8,000+ in attendance. Look for another Kick Gas event next Fall.

SF Green Fest Recap

Members of e3 and Green Love attended San Francisco's Green Festival on November 12th-15, which was the nation's largest green festival since 2002. At Green Festival, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, they celebrate what’s working in our communities—for people, business and the environment. Every year there are five Green Festival's in the country, in San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago and Washington DC. This was a great educational experience, full of networking, guest speakers and brainstorming ideas for SDSU's Green Fest which will be held this Earth Week, April 19th-23rd.

Save The Ales Beer Garden Update #1

e3 has just been approved by President Webber to host Save the Ales Beer Garden at our 2010 Earth Day event at SDSU. The logistics are still in the works but our plan is to have local, organic finger food (to eliminate the use of plates and utensils), as well as educational booths outside of the beer garden so students can inform themselves about different issues. There will also be a Root Beer garden for those under 21 years old. Please read our previous post on this Blog for more information, or email us and we'll forward you the resolution.

OB Beach Cleanup & BBQ

On October 18th, e3 hosted a beach cleanup in Ocean Beach. We would like to thank everyone who came out.

e3's Farmers' Market meeting w/ Aztec Shops

http://arc.sdsu.edu/newsletter/nov2009/farmers.php
Erin, Holly and Tara had an efficient meeting with R.D. Williams and Brian Wynne (from Dining Services) this past week. We established a tentative mission for our Farmers' Market:

Tentative Mission: The Farmers Market at San Diego State University and student organizations are committed to providing the students, faculty, staff, and nearby community with local food, as well as, whenever possible, organic and sustainable food options . This will be done along with promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Our market promotes ecological, economic and a sustainable food supply.

We discussed the vendor selection, setting dates for vendors to ban Styrofoam/sale of water bottles, e3's permanent involvement, possible names for the FM, recycle bins at the market, and our new consulting plans. Each vendor will have an e3 exec as their consultant. We will build a personal relationship with the vendors, and will help them and be there for them. We also would love to see Thursdays as a health day at SDSU. We are looking into having bands play every week, a yoga session, and an area where students can eat together (we're going to tiedye sheets and place them on the lawn). Next semester we may change the time of the market and the location, but we are waiting to make that decision.

If you have any additional ideas for our Farmers' Market please let us know.

Fall CSSC Convergence @ UCSC

This weekend (November 6th-8th) a handful of e3 execs, as well as a few others, are attending the California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC) Fall Convergence at UC Santa Cruz. Join students and young leaders from across California as we come together to build community and organizing capacity amongst individuals, campuses, and campaigns in the student sustainability movement. Share skills and resources, learn about what your peers are doing, network with other schools, and have fun! If you're interested in coming, please email Tara.

Earth Day 2010: Save the Ales

Every year e3 hosts an educational Earth Day event at SDSU. This Earth Day, April 22nd, e3, in collaboration with Associated Students, proposed to included in the plan a Save the Ales: A Garden, Compost and Cultural Event, which will cover another of various aspects including global and local issues such as climate change and water conservation. Our goal is to incorporate social equity into this event while raising awareness about how to green your everyday life through composting, offering students the chance to plant their own victory garden, and providing tips to "green up your gathering."

We have a lengthy resolution which we wrote that we will happily share with you if you're interested. Please let us know if you would like a copy of this resolution.

Kick Gas Festival

On 24 October, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

Three former e3ers, Annie Bessinger, Rae Gurne, and Matt Nelson, teamed up and hosted the Kick Gas Festival, which was uncoincidentally celebrated on October 24th. Everyone was encouraged to take the bus or trolley to kick gas.

This enormous event, which was dubbed the "EcoPart of the West Coast," consisted of the following elements:
91X Sustainable Waves Solar Stage
featuring MATISYAHU!!
Plus 20 more bands and DJs!
The Sterling Collwood Sustainable living Zone
K1 Speed EV Auto Cross Racing and Showstopper Wax EV Car Show
Want to show off your EV?
OB Farmers Market Zone
Ocean Beach Surf and Skate Interactive Zone
Go Vavi Fun Zone
Earthlist.com ECO World Zone
Also including local artists, Julian Hard Cider Adult Beverage Garden
…and a Kick Gas Time!

At the peak of the day, there were 8,300 attendees at the festival. Due to the success, look for another Kick Gas Festival next Fall.

350.org

As we all (should) know, Kick Gas Festival is taking place October 24th in San Diego. This date wasn't chosen at random. October 24th is a date where the world is coming together because of 350.org's international campaign started by dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis- the solutions that science and justice demand.

350.org's Mission:

Our mission is to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis—to create a new sense of urgency and of possibility for our planet.

Our focus is on the number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. But 350 is more than a number--it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.

To tackle climate change we need to move quickly, and we need to act in unison—and 2009 will be an absolutely crucial year. This December, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to craft a new global treaty on cutting emissions. The problem is, the treaty currently on the table doesn't meet the severity of the climate crisis—it doesn't pass the 350 test.

In order to unite the public, media, and our political leaders behind the 350 goal, we're harnessing the power of the internet to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009. We hope to have actions at hundreds of iconic places around the world - from the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef to your community - and clear message to world leaders: the solutions to climate change must be equitable, they must be grounded in science, and they must meet the scale of the crisis.

If an international grassroots movement holds our leaders accountable to the latest climate science, we can start the global transformation we so desperately need.

Modern Space Meeting Oct. 20th!

This Tuesday, October 20th from 3:30-5:00pm in the Arena Meeting Center AB (right in front of the ARC) the ModernSpace (New Student Union LEED Platinum Building) committee will be hosting a meeting with the contractor, architect and LEED consultant to choose and review sustainable strategies for the ModernSpace building. YOUR input is highly recommended and is needed for this project to be as sustainable as possible for 60 years worth of students. Please try to attend and show your support and ideas!

Green Lunch Bag Series

Once again Green Love is hosting the Green Lunch Bag Speaker Series at SDSU. This series will be taking place once a month on Wednesday. The following two meetings are Wednesday, Nov. 18th, 1-2:30 p.m. at Scripps Cottage and Wednesday, Dec. 9th, 1-2:30 p.m. at Scripps Cottage. There will be a catered organic lunch to accompany the fabulous guest speakers.

Kick Gas Pub Crawl- Oct. 11th

Kick Gas Festival, which now has commercials on MTV & many SD radio stations, will be held on Saturday, October 24th at Qualcomm Stadium! The Kick Gas Festival is only 2 weeks away but the Official Kick Gas Festival Pre- Event Pub Crawl is here! There will be 2 pub crawls this Sunday, October 4th from 2-7 p.m. in Ocean Beach at Pac Shores AND Hillcrest at #1 on 5th. Get your favorite kicks laced and get your @$$ on the pavement. For sign ups and more info email nvilla@kickgasfestival.com!



The Kick Gas Festival is looking for some FUN, ENTHUSIASTIC, GREEN LOVING, HARDWORKING VOLUNTEERS! They're going to need help in their different zones, ensuring that each zone is well-kept and if the zone leader needs anything, you'll be there! The time slots for volunteers will range from 3-4 hours throughout the day. They will need volunteers from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. If you want to get involved with the Kick Gas Festival check out this site: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/eve/1413975315.html

Greening SDSU Athletics

Holly, Erin, David, Josh, and Tara met with a representative of SDSU Athletics on Wednesday, October 7th. The meeting was to put our foot in the door and to see how receptive Athletics would be to working with e3 and making green changes in their building and in their departments. We want to focus on continuing to make changes at SDSU and we think this will be a great project for us. Athletics has their own building (AZAT which is located across from Viejas Arena/ARC on 55th), hundreds of involved students/staff, and local high schoolers look up to some of the SDSU sports stars.

We have a tour of AZAT scheduled for Wednesday October 14th. We have some ideas of how we can make our Athletic department more eco-friendly but after the tour we will have a better understanding of what changes we would like to see made, and how we can implement those changes. If you have any ideas of how we can improve our Athletic department, please contact us: TARAKELe3@gmail.com

Bike Lane Update

On Friday, October 2nd Holly and Tara attended a very positive and progressive bike lane meeting held by the architectural consultants KTU+A. Some of the other attendees included A.S. Director Dan Cornthwaite, Associate Vice President of Operations Bob Schultz, A.S. President Tyler Boden and Green Love Commissioner Grant Mack. We were able to give input and discussed the challenges and concerns that people were having with the bike lane.

Stated current challenges:
- SDSU is a commuter-based campus
- adjacent topography limits easy bike access
- no bike use in "ped areas" may not be understood/enforced
- high speed/volume roadways around SDSU
- safe and secure bike parting facilities are in short supply/not in dismount zones

A Spring 2009 survey (307 surveyed) gave the following results:
- 305 lived on campus, 65% commuted, 5% were campus staff/visitors
- 46% lived in 92115, 12% lived near campus, 13% lived in other SD areas, 17% lived in other cities
- the day surveyed: 40% drove, 24% walked, 15% biked, 8% used transit, 6% carpooled, 7% other

The consultants gave very details and informative slide show presentation, with simulation photographs of the bike lane on our campus, which was very exciting to see! Instead of painting bikes lanes on our campus, they are going to stain the ground. It looks more natural and the stain will stay for many years.

Currently there are 5 proposed bike lanes, additional bike racks, and bike lockers at SDSU. The lanes are located in the following locations:
1. near Cuic/Zura/LLC/Tenoch
2. from the start of the foot bridge to 55th exiting near Viejas Arena
3. near the Music Building
4. from the start of Campanile Walkway near Campanile/Hardy Ave to Hilltop Way in front of Hepner Hall (which would lead to the already legal bike area)
5. from Campanile Walkway to Aztec Center between Open Air/Adams Humanity

Construction will most likely begin at SDSU, but plans to work with CalTrans and San Diego city are in the works. Proposed bike lanes going to/from SDSU have been studied but will take longer to implement due to additional parties involved and their regulations.

We are anxiously waiting to hear back on about the finalized plans. Stay tuned & keep your fingers crossed for the construction to begin in Spring 2010!

::e3/Surfrider OB Beach Cleanup:: Sunday Oct 18th

On Sunday, October 18th e3 & Surfrider are hosting a beach Cleanup in Ocean Beach from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. 91X radio station will be there playing some sweet tunes during our beach cleanup as well as during our potluck ,which will follow the cleanup. Bring your friends, a dish to share, and come join the fun!

Recyling Program in Tenochca- Pilot Program FA 09

Benida Mann, Steve Lincoln, and Igancio Prado have been working with the recycling coordinator at Allied Waste to work on a recycling program for our dorms!

We3 are very excited to hear about this great initiative! Tenochca will be the first dorm used as an example for this pilot program. Allied Waste currently picks up recycling on campus so they are simply adding another stop to their route. Presently, a search for funding options is in the works, but so far they have found a great alternative for blue recycle bins in each dorm room (which can be very costly). They are proposing to give every student living in the dorms (about 4,000) a reusable bag made from recycled materials, with the hope that the students will take these down to the recycling center or large 90 gallon bins that will be on each floor. The bags are coated with a special covering, which prevents them from getting sticky.

If you have any suggestions for educational campaigns please direct your comments to Erin and she can give feed back to Residential Hall Association (RHA).

Green Fest 2009 in San Fran Nov 13-15th

Green Fest is almost here! Mark your calenders for our trip.

What is Green Fest?
At Green Festival (or "Green Fest"), a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, we’re celebrating what’s working in our communities—for people, business and the environment. Think of Green Festival as a walk through a sustainable community. Organizations and businesses showcase programs and products that restore the planet and all that inhabit it.

• e3 will be covering hotels and travel
• we are applying for travel funds and will hopefully receive the full amount
• admission is $10 with a valid student id for all three days
• we are looking into volunteer options for a fee waiver but it may be worth it to just pay the $10; let us know your thoughts
• if you have any ideas for a place to stay or have any family discounts on hotels (AAA discount may apply) let Josh or Erin know :)
• check out the festival for more details http://www.greenfestivals.org/san-francisco/

Travel Internary:

Thursday Nov. 12th: depart from SDSU late afternoon (who can carpool/willing to drive?)

we may be able to get a van from Mike

Friday Nov 13th: Attend GreenFest

Saturday Nov 14th: Attend GreenFest

Sunday Nov 15th: 10 a.m. departure San Francisco and leave for San Diego

Green Fest 2010

Green Fest April 19th-23, 2009

• We are teaming up with Green Love this year to put on Green Fest @ SDSU
  
• We need other input on what e3 wants for Earth Day because we currently need to have line items for the budget
  
• e3 is in charge of Earth Day events and putting on a Farmers' Market on Thurs/Friday
• We want to find solar laser tag company- any suggestions?
  
• ideas?? Please let us know!
  

Kick Gas Mini Mass

Oct. 6th @ 11 a.m.

We will be having a Kick Has Mini Mass to get amped up for the Oct. 24th event. We will have an MTS bus on campus (near Aztec Center) and hopefully some really great visual components. Please be brainstorming ideas and Holly will post the notes from the GM meeting soon!

Farmers Market

Farmers' Market (FM)

John, Tara, Holly and Erin met with Brian and Ashley from Aztec Shops about the first FM. We went over how the FM went, clean-up, finances, profit margins, future ideas, and where we go from here.

• Dining Services wants to make sure that the VENDORS feel welcome so please make sure to introduce yourselves to the vendors and ask how the vendors are doing and if there is anything you can do to help.

• We need to make sure we pick up our wooden signs from around campus after the FM on Thursdays so Brian/Ashley do not have to go around picking up our signs since that isn't part of their duties, and since they kindly storing and transporting our signs already
  
• Dining Services totaled the revenue from our first FM. We made about $980 based on percentages of the vendors. This money will go into covering pay for Brian and Ashley, Physical Plant Clean-up, marketing expenses, etc. It is unknown at this point how much money e3 will receive but we will negotiate towards the end of the semester
• If this semester proves to be beneficial to Aztec Shops and Dining Services we will most likely re-vamp the FM with a design, name, posters (made by the on campus design people)

New SpringWidget

Get this widget!

Something Funny