ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE

Environmental Quality Committee

The Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) is a student club and committee of Associated Students of Pomona College (ASPC) dedicated to improving the environmental sustainability of Pomona College's campus, in recognition of the College's environmental policy. EQC and the Environmental Affairs Commissioner are stipulated in the ASPC Bylaws and Constitution.

The structure of EQC may change each year, and is generally up to the pervue of the Environmental Affairs Commissioner. In previous years, the four main members of the Committee (who are approved by ASPC) have been the chairs of sub-committees, which take on specific topics (e.g. landscaping and water use, energy, food). However, there is no requirements for how the Commissioner structures the committee.

The activities of EQC and the Commissioner

The activities of EQC and the Environmental Affairs Commissioner have generally fallen within these main areas:

1. Education: EQC is responsible for educating the campus community about environmental issues, with emphasis on those that directly affect campus. For example, campaigns regarding the use of organic and local foods in the dining halls. Educational activities include bringing speakers or other such events to campus, writing articles for campus publications (such as the EA Newsletter, The Student Life, etc.), tabeling in the dining halls, and many other options. This can also mean increasing outreach about others' programs that EQC doesn't feel get enough attention, for example the college's green building program.

2. Operational projects: EQC is partially responsible for initiating, implementing, and monitoring campus operational projects and programs to promote the sustainability of the college. Good examples of these projects are listed in the college's Environmental Policy, though many of these are somewhat out of the reach of student groups. Common projects have included helping to coordinate and expand the college's ink cartridge recycling program, getting more recycling and trash cans on campus, working with Grounds to plant more native and drought-resistant plants, negotiating the use of organics and other environmentally-friendly products in the dining halls, the Green Bikes program, the setting of campus printers to double-sided printing by default, and many, many others.

3. Funding: EQC's budget, requested each year as part of ASPC's annual budget process, may be used to help fund environmentally-related events and projects not from EQC.

4. Acting as student representatives for campus interests: EQC, but more specifically the Environmental Affairs Commissioner, is responsible for coordinating student interests regarding environmental issues. In reporting to ASPC, college administration, the Board of Trustees, or any other similar group, EQC may seek informal ideas, or may engage in campaigns such as petitions, proposals, etc.

POINTS OF INTEREST: Associated Students of Pomona College | Pomona College | Pomona College Organic Farm | Pomona College Environmental Analysis Program