The members of Student Senate passed a DACA Resolution and focused on new energy related implementations at their second meeting of the year on Sept. 6.
President Trump has decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Programs, also known as DACA. This program allowed undocumented immigrants that had entered the country as minors to receive a two-year renewable period of deferred action from deportation as they receive higher education.
Tim Hernandez, an English major, helped to organize “Dream Without Borders” rally in order to support the students that are affected by the new implementation. The rally will take place at 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Garden Theatre.
According to Hernandez, the rally will include a welcome speech, a march on campus and several speeches, including one from Larissa Romero-Perry, UNC’s Enrollment Coach and University Recruiter.
“The rally is more so to assist and become educated on what DACA is,” Hernandez said. “It’s something that is very close to my heart.”
Student Body President Kevion Ellis said the cabinet had talked about creating a resolution for the DACA Students at UNC. The resolution states that the Senate is dedicated to supporting all students that are protected by DACA.
“This program has provided over 800,000 young immigrants with a chance and a dream here in the US,” Ellis said in a campus-wide email that was sent out prior to the senate meeting. “It is time for our university to do just what it has already pledged to do prior to the ending of this program, and that is support and protect our DACA students.
The resolution is mainly to represent the University’s stance on the ending of DACA and to show symbolism for the unwavering support, Ellis said.
The Senate passed the resolution and will be released to the students shortly.
Student Senate also talked about Student LEAF, otherwise known as Student Leadership for Environmental Action Fund.
Green Team director Maria Lee discussed upcoming events and new implementations made in order to create a more sustainable environment.
According to Lee, Student LEAF has recently implemented new “Bear on the Run” to-go boxes. The idea is to reuse the to-go boxes instead of constantly getting a new one each time.
“I’ve been going to all the new student orientations to get new ideas from freshmen,” Lee said. “We are really looking forward to more engagements with new students.”
Student LEAF will be hosting a Lights Out event from 8 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 on Turner Green.
Along with Student LEAF the UNC PowerED Program, or People.Power.Planet., is also focusing their attention on saving more energy around campus.
According to Alison Schwabe, a representative from PowerED, UNC has saved $243,711 and 6.6 percent in energy related costs since July of 2016.
During the fall, PowerED will be handing out LED bulbs and recruiting more members.
UNC Student Senate also brainstormed ways to assist in Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma relief efforts. They considered setting up a GoFundMe account and sending money to Red Cross, as well as reaching out to students at UNC that have been affected in order to make the UNC community feel more involved.
The next Senate meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the UC Conference room.
