Rationale for SENATE RESOLUTION 11-16-17

Rationale for SENATE RESOLUTION 11-16-17

All,

Undergraduate Student Government considers the health and wellness of students at The University of Akron to be a top priority. Several students have voiced concerns over the lack of fresh produce available on campus. This is a concern because there is not a grocery store within walking distance to the University, which can be a hindrance for students without transportation. If The University of Akron implements a farmers’ market program, students will have easy access to fresh produce. Additionally, this will strengthen ties between the University and the Akron community, as students will have an opportunity to interact directly with vendors and learn more about local business and agriculture. According to an article posted by the University of Michigan: “Eating local promotes a better nourished world…[and] supports the local economy and community by creating jobs, raising incomes, supporting farmers, and strengthening community ties.” Hosting a farmers’ market on campus will help to promote healthy life choices. A farmers’ market will also offer a variety of fresh produce to students who have voiced concern about a lack of healthy food options on campus. Therefore, the sponsors of this resolution urge The University of Akron Undergraduate Student Government to adopt this resolution and encourage The University of Akron to bring local food vendors to campus through the implementation of a farmers’ market program.

Regards,

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Katherine Elizabeth Holcomb Claire DeBruin

Senator At-LargeSenator for Residence Life

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Collin T. Hayes

Senator for the College of Education

USG LEGISLATIVE FORM

LEGISLATION NO. 11-16-17 SUBJECT: FARMER’S MARKET

SPONSORS: SENATORS HOLCOMB, DEBRUIN, HAYES

DATE INTRODUCED: APRIL 13, 2017

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ARESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON TO IMPLEMENT A FARMERS’ MARKET PROGRAM ON CAMPUS

WHEREAS:STUDENTS HAVE VOICED CONCERNS OVER THE LACK OF VARIETY OF FRESH FOOD ON CAMPUS AS WELL AS THE ABSENCE OF A GROCERY STORE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF CAMPUS; AND

WHEREAS:THE ADDITION OF A FARMERS’ MARKET ON CAMPUS WOULD ALLOW STUDENTS TO HAVE EASY ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE; AND

WHEREAS:A FARMERS’ MARKET WOULD ALLOW FOR STUDENTS TO BUY DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL VENDORS, WHICH, IN TURN, WILL SUPPORT THE AKRON COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY; AND

WHEREAS:A FARMERS’ MARKET WILL PROVIDE HEALTHIER FOOD OPTIONS AND WILL ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY LIFE CHOICES; NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED:THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON UNDERGRADUATESTUDENT GOVERNMENT HEREBY URGES THE UNIVERSITY TO IMPLEMENT A FARMERS’ MARKET PROGRAM WITH LOCAL VENDORS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.

______, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT GOVERNMENT SENATE CONFIRMS SAID ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION BY A MAJORITY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SENATE AS A WHOLE.

ACTION TAKEN BY SENATE: ______

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USG SENATE CHAIR SIGNATURE DATE

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USG PRESIDENT SIGNATURE DATE

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FACULTY ADVISOR USG SIGNATURE DATE

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VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS OR DESIGNEE SIGNATURE DATE