The Environmental Student Assembly's Environmental Core gathered Thursday at Tommy Trojan to ask the administration to implement solar panels on campus. About 20 members from the Environmental Core marched in front of Bovard, holding up signs and chanting, "Go solar or go home!"
Sarah Berry said the organization's goal was to gain visibility and bring awareness to their cause. "We started holding solar rallies to try to get USC's attention, make it more difficult for them to ignore us."
The Environmental Core created the 'Go Solar Campaign' over four years ago and collected more than 800 signatures in support. The organization hopes to reach a 10 percent solar initiative campus wide through installing panels on USC's largest roof at the Galen Center. The Core drafted a plan requesting for 1.6 million dollars in funding, just 0.03 percent of USC's endowment.
Executive Director of E-Core, Zach Manta, said USC administration has been unresponsive to the organization's proposals and calls for change.
"The resources are absolutely there. What we've heard from administration is we're not concerned with being that university. Every university in our opinion should be concerned with being sustainable, forward thinking, innovative, and a living laboratory for these sorts of technologies of the future," Manta said.
Members collected signatures of students who support USC going solar and afterwards went on to deliver their proposition to President Nikias's Office. E-Core was not allowed inside; however, a representative from the administration accepted the proposal on his behalf.
Annenberg Media