'Students promoting environmental action in Knoxville', also known as SPEAK, is a group that is steadily growing in its members. Each semester they meet on Mondays at 8 p.m. in room 225 of the University Center. 

On campus, local problems and solutions on an envrionmental scale are discussed across a student threshold. "The goal of the group is to make students aware of environmental issues. Stephen Holland, co-president of SPEAKThe goal of the group is to make students aware of environmental issues," said Stephen Holland, co-president of SPEAK.

Meetings consist of devising proposals and suggesting ideas on ways to make our campus "green." While it is challenging to solve environmental issues on a global scale, students can start here in the campus and community.

Several successes have arisen from the group in past semesters. For example, some students are choosing to ride bikes as opposed to driving cars. By doing so, harmful greenhouse gases are not emitted into the atmosphere. In addition to this, the university has incorporated a green fee in tuitions.

"The green fee is a student environmental initiatives fee that provides funding for sustainable projects on campus," Holland said.

Throughout the semester, representatives from various sustainable organizations also come to inform students on ways they can help become a part of various community projects. To find out what is in store for this semester be sure to attend the next meeting on Monday.