Alcalá View 1992 8.13

Physical Plant Hopes to Expand Recycling Efforts USD's recycling program has come a long way in two years. Before January of 1990, the university's only involvement in recycling was through the Associated Student's Conservation Oub. The club es- tablished the recycling of glass, aluminum cans, and with the help of Dining Services, the collection of used cardboard. In December of 1989, the club asked Physical Plant for help in enlarging their project, and the General Services depart- ment of Physical Plant assumed the respon- sibility of developing a plan designed to gradually expand recycling efforts throughout the university community. Consequently, a system for recycling white office paper was set in motion, and aluminum and glass collection points were set up near drink vending areas, and three newspaper collection points were added. During this time, the recycling program was staffed part-time by three students, Marta Malone '92, Cary Casey '91 and Paul Cook '91. Cook is continuing the job of coor- dinating recycling plans for the future, and has represented USO at several public hear- ings where proposed recycling regulations were presented and discussed by the San Diego City Waste Management Board. Under Cook's direction, and with the cooperation of the custodial personnel, the recycling program expanded again this past fall, when plastic containers for the collec- tion of mixed paper were placed in academic and administrative offices. This phase should be complete this spring. Despite the growth of the university's recycling program over the last two years, more still needs to be done. According to California state mandate AB-939, 25 percent less trash must go to landfills by 1995, and SO percent less by the year 2000. Since November of 1990, the number of trash dumpster pickups at the university

has been reduced from 207 to 164 - an ap- proximate 20 percent reduction. Continuing this reduction will be dif- ficult and all members of the campus com- munity will have to be strongly committed to helping reach the goals of AB-939. Further expansion of the existing pro- gram will include collection of recyclable items in the student housing areas. It is also recommended that in the future, all major offices throughout the administrative and academic community curtail the use of paper products for multiple informational notices, presently distributed to all univer- sity employees. One or two notices per department, printed on white paper and posted for all to see, will result in less paper used, less paper going to the landfill, and less money spent on printing. The purchase and use of recycled paper products is also recommended. Although they are currently more costly, use of recycled products will help create a better market for these items, in turn lowering their cost. This will help to "close the loop" on recycling, lessen the environmental im- pact caused by the use of virgin materials, and prolong the life span of our landfills. For more information, call Paul Cook or Bill McGibney at ext. 4536. New Hires, Promotions Welcome to the following employees who recently joined the USO community: Juan F. Felix, custodian, Main Dining Room; Rebecca A. Gilbert, administrative secretary, Copley Library; Elizabeth J. Mar- tel, library assistant, Legal Research Center; Marjoel L. Montalbo, administrative secretary, Planned Giving. Congratulations to the following employee who recently earned a promotion: Tina L. Smith, from cashier B to clerical assistant A, Controller.

Benefit Briefs By Vicki Coscia

The Social Security Ad- ministration recommends

employees check their earnings history every two or three years. After three years, three months , and 15 days, the statute of limita- tions on your earnings report runs " out it becomes much harder to correct mistakes. Accurate earnings records are important be- cause they effect your future benefits. For more information call Social Security at 1-800-772- 1213. A special meeting is scheduled on April 24 for employees plan- ning to retire in 1992. Employees who have TIAA/CREF contracts and plan to start their retirement income this year will find this meeting very interesting. This is USD's first TIAA/CREF meeting where account representative Helen Jackson will explain the various retirement options, answer questions and help employees complete actual retire- ment forms. Call TIAA/CREF Benefit Pay- ment Information Center at 1-800- 842-2777 to order your retire- ment packet today. Allow two weeks for delivery. Join us on April 24 in UC 103 AB, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for this once-a-year opportunity to plan your retire- ment. Your personal invitation will be sent through campus mail in early April. Don't forget to bring your TIAA/CREF retire- ment packet with you to the meet- ing. Call Vicki, ext. 8764, to RSVP. To avoid a $(iO late fee in the fall, tuition remission applica- tions must be received in Human Resources on or before the fol- lowing deadlines: Aug. 20 for law students; Sept. 4 for under- graduate students; and Sept 14 for graduate students. Effective March 1, 1992, TIAA/CREF's fixed annuity rate will change from 8.75% to 7.5%. The fixed rate for Supplemental Retirement Annuities (SRA) changes from 8.25% to 7%. These rates will remain in effect through Feb. 28, 1993. Human Resources will have a supply of first quarter 1992 investment comparisons for both TIAA/ CREF and Scudder bv April 17.

IS) University of San Diego Publications Office Maher Hall Room 274