The Go-Green initiative may be a recent addition to ASCC’s many plans for Cerritos, but in reality, it has been around for a few years.

Professor Crystal LoVetere spearheads the Go-Green initiative with support from ASCC.

Go-Green focuses on making the school more sustainable and environmentally friendly. One of the many goals of Go-Green is to have hydration stations on campus, nullifying the use of Styrofoam on campus, more bike stations for students, an Earth Day event and increasing general awareness of the environment.

ASCC President Miles Aiello, who joined the Go-Green committee last year, is glad to see Go-Green begin to make progress.

“It’s one of my passions – the environment,” he said.

One of its goals is now a reality, as many students may have noticed the new recycling bins around campus.

Part of the budget for Go-Green comes from the ASCC budget, while another comes from the revenue generated by the recycling bins, according to Aiello.

Some of the goals require a lengthy process, such as the nullifying of Styrofoam.

“It would have to be talked about in Cabinet and Senate, and if both sides of the governments would agree, then there’d be legislation written and we’d go from there,” he added.

ASCC has also begun to accept applications for the Go-Green task force, the deadline being Nov. 14.

Students who are applying for the task force must have a 2.25 GPA, at least five units enrolled at Cerritos College, unofficial transcripts and need to write a 250-word essay on why you would want to join the task force.

The student-run task force would be in charge of solidifying the goals for Go-Green and make them come to fruition.

ASCC Vice-President Charles Caguioa said, “We’re looking for people who are definitely passionate about the project, with the mindset that it’s all for sustainability. We definitely agree that there are multiple people out there that are extremely qualified for this, and students are definitely passionate about this.”

He added, “The Go-Green initiative is going along with what the college is doing … (it’s) definitely going more green, more sustainable; making sure that we are saving and being more cost efficient, but at the same time we’re working toward bettering the environment.”

Caguioa encourages students to join the task force but also to find ways of going green at home.

Go-Green also benefits students in other ways. Students can be hired to collect and empty recyclable material from the bins. It’s “student work,” according to Caguioa.

The Go-Green initiative is also working in conjunction with the Green Cerritos College initiatives, which is the district equivalent of the ASCC-run Go-Green.

“We, as ASCC, we have to listen to (Green Cerritos) and stand with (it) and with the initiatives already in place,” Caguioa said.

The Green Cerritos initiatives include:

• Green facilities that meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

• Energy efficiency and alternative energy sources.

• Waste management.

• Transportation – increased use of public transit, ride-share, walking, biking and advanced fuels.

• Water conservation.

• Instructional programs.

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Students on campus have received Go-Green with positive feelings.

First-year student Elizabeth Rosas, a nursing major, said, “I think it’s really nice. (It’s) helping the community.”

Once the task force has been established, it will hold open meetings [to be announced] every other Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in room BK 111.