WHEREAS, the Student Government Association (SGA) is dedicated to creating a culture of environmental sustainability where students, faculty and visitors can experience living in a sustainable community; and,

WHEREAS, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recognizes that livestock agriculture is “one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems”; and,

WHEREAS, recent studies and reports have demonstrated that we can lower our negative impact on the planet simply by cutting down on the animal products we eat; and,

WHEREAS, a plant-based diet has been shown to use fewer resources and cause less pollution; and,

WHEREAS, the American Dietetic Association recognizes that a vegetarian diet decreases our risk of various ailments, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and various cancers; and,

WHEREAS, nearly 10 billion birds, pigs, and cows are slaughtered for food each year in the U.S., most of whom live on massive factory farms that cause tremendous animal suffering as well as environmental destruction; and,

WHEREAS, the University of Maryland-College Park student group VegTerps works to expose the cruelties forced upon animals raised for food and encourages vegetarian eating as a way to help build a kinder world; and,

WHEREAS, the Maryland-based non-profit organization Compassion Over Killing works with VegTerps to promote vegetarian eating on the University of Maryland-College Park campus and surrounding areas; and,

WHEREAS, several Montgomery County businesses are participating in and support Maryland Veg Week, including the University of Maryland Food Collective; and,

WHEREAS, Maryland Veg Week is April 24-30;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the SGA supports Maryland Veg Week; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the SGA encourages students, faculty and staff to participate and choose vegetarian foods as a way to help protect the planet, their health, and animals; and to explore the wide variety of vegetarian cuisine offered in the College Park community.