November 27: The Better Planet Project Works to Spread Information About Its Initiatives

Article featured in The Ontarion.

If students were not previously aware of the Better Planet Project (BPP), they were certainly made better aware of it after three significant events that focused on the project and informing students, staff and faculty about its initiatives took place in the last week.

On Nov. 16, the Better Planet Student Council held an informal event in Branion Plaza where they welcomed students to discuss what they are doing to make the planet a better place, and shared information about the project.

“We had over 31 surveys that were filled out. We spoke to over 60 students that stopped and actually had engaged conversations with us,” said Jacqueline Watty, the development manager, CME and Vancouver region, for Alumni Affairs and Development.

Watty added that many students were unsure as to where the money for the university is coming from.

“[We’re] debunking the myth that tuition covers everything. It really only covers 20 to 25 per cent of what it costs to operate the university and then we have to fundraise to fill the gaps in government funding,” said Watty.

According to Watty, the event achieved its purpose.

“Branion Plaza was really successful, and everyone was really receptive. They key is that they’re asking questions and even if we don’t have an answer right there, we find out those answers and get back to [students].”

On Nov. 19, students Anthony Ngai, Ben Hayes, and Derek Alton discussed their personal project, We Change the World and the Small Actions, Big Change Movement, at the Better Planet Speaker Series in the University Centre.

Finally, on Nov. 20, the BPP Student Council invited Alastair Summerlee and other senior administrative staff to speak at the BPP Conversation Café. Again, in an informal and relaxed setting, students were encouraged to ask the president and the staff any questions about the project.

“We’re just trying to create awareness and tell people what [the project] is about, and how it directly impacts students, because I think that’s one of the biggest questions,” said Watty.

During the discussion, Summerlee spoke about how the project has elevated the status of the university beyond its reputation as “Moo U” by raising awareness about the positive impacts of the university on health, community, food, and the environment, the focal points of the project.

“We’ve always done things that make this a better planet,” said Summerlee, adding that the project has aimed to illustrate exactly what faculty, staff, and students do to a broader public.

Several controversial points were brought up during the event, such as the belief that the donors dictate what the university does with the money. Summerlee described instances where the university did not want to be associated with a donor and refused their gift because their ideas did not align with that of the university’s, like when Imperial Tobacco offered money to the U of G.

Watty also addressed a popular misconception concerning the project before the café.

“There are policies in place and major legalities on who we can accept money from, and how we use that money…[Donors] are certainly involved with that money because they’re giving it to us, but we come to a general agreement and we have legal terms and conditions on to how we use that money.”

The senior administrators and Summerlee ended the conversation on a student-oriented noted by promoting student participation in the project. The president encouraged students to contact him or talk to the student council to let them know about how they’re making this a better planet.