A resolution to save USD’s trees was approved by the Student Government Association during their meeting Tuesday.
The resolution, which was written by Sen. Laura Kuschel, calls for the university to implement a ‘two-for-one’ rule when removing trees ‘- meaning they would replace each tree they removed by planting two new ones somewhere on campus.
Kuschel said the resolution was prompted by the recent landscaping and construction projects on campus that necessitated the removal of several trees.
Sen. Mason Schramm, who serves on the committee that introduced the resolution, says USD’s recent effort to go green would be well served by such a policy.
‘We feel that there needs to be a policy in place,’ Schramm said. ‘They took out a lot of trees for these recent projects.’
Although the senate has no power to force the university to implement the policy, Schramm and Kuschel are optimistic that the university will take the suggestion seriously.
In addition to the resolution, the senate voted to approve a special appropriation in the amount of $1,440 for buses to transport USD students to the women’s basketball game between USD and South Dakota State University Feb. 15. The buses will be able to accommodate 112 students.
SGA is also selling tickets to the game for $15 each. SGA would like all students who buy tickets from them to ride to and from the game on a bus.
Reach reporter Nick Woltman at Nick.Woltman@usd.edu.
