More than 30 students and faculty gathered together for the introductory meeting of the revived student club known as The Green Machine.
Professor Robert Gilbert, the club’s advisor, stated that the club started a few years ago, but quickly fizzled out for lack of student interest and involvement.
Club student board members President Nate Dumtschin, Vice President Jayne O’Zemko and Secretary Reece Shope said they want to transform Sinclair into a more green and sustainable campus.
“We want to be a voice on campus,” Dumtschin said. “We are stronger as a group rather than just a few people coming together.”
Sinclair has a sustainability program in place in Building 11. The building is equipped with a wind turbine and a solar array supplying most of the energy used in the program.
Sinclair is also the only college in the state of Ohio to convert used vegetable oil into bio diesel, something the club wishes to expand and improve on. The goal of The Green Machine is to build on the existing sustainability program, expanding it to include organic agriculture.
At the meeting, members talked about establishing a community garden on Sinclair’s campus. Professor Joseph Giardullo of the nursing department, spoke of his personal experience with composting and the benefits the club could gain, if it were to implement a composting program. There is also a possible team effort underway with the University of Dayton and Wright State University in accomplishing the Green Machine’s goals.
At the meeting, students and faculty were enthusiastic about the possible changes on campus.
“It’s student involvement that will make the difference,” Adrienne Cassel, professor in the English department said.
Cassel said she has incorporated environmental issues in her classes, and was excited to see the club forming.
Liz Hawkins, a Business Information Systems major said she is interested in environmental sustainability because of what it can do in the future.
“I’m very passionate about creating a more sustainable future,” Dumtschin said.