A Carbon Neutral UMD

University of Maryland students gathered on the snow-covered McKeldin Mall on Dec. 6 to support a carbon neutrality policy that would affect 11 Maryland universities by requiring the institutions to run their campuses with entirely renewable energy and establish clean mass transportation to the schools.

The "Green Out" rally, organized by student-run group Clean Energy for UMD, took place against the backdrop of 13 wind turbine replicas constructed by the group as a representation of what the students say is one of the many clean energy resources that could be utilized to reduce the school's carbon footprint.

Clean Energy UMD along with other student groups in the Maryland Student Climate Coalition will meet with the University System of Maryland's Board of Regents in mid-February to present their carbon neutrality petition showing the student backing for the policy change.

"This isn't about reaching standards. It's about setting them," said Andrew Friedson, the university's Student Government Association president, in a speech at the rally.