In regards to the class discussion of "why greening Oxy is important," specifically the idea that prospective students take into consideration eco-friendliness when looking at a college, the article states that, "about two-thirds of applicants reportedly [take] eco-friendliness into account when choosing. . .." While this number may be exaggerated, it is still exciting that students look at green schools in a different light than those that are not.
What ideas from these top-green ranked colleges (#1 University of Colorado at Boulder, #7 UC Santa Cruz, #8 Berkeley, #9 UCLA) can Oxy apply to the campus? For instance, UCLA increased tuition by including a $4 increase per quarter. I think this is a good idea to break up the payment because then it doesn't seem like a "chunk" of money. Also, including it in the tuition almost makes it an invisible payment, making opponents less likely to complain. Is there a way we can change the payment method of the sustainability fund so more people are aware of it and its purpose. Also, UCLA uses bio-degradable eating utensils!
Yale was another school that practices advanced sustainability with a one-acre garden that provides food for the students and flowers for school events. Also, 49% of food served at Yale is local, seasonal, and/or organic.
What do you guys think about these practices and applying them to fit Occidental? Wouldn't it be amazing to have a flower garden that could be used to decorate dances, productions and other school events? How many to-go forks do you grab in a week? Bio-degradable utensils sound great. Finally, what do you guys think about making an advertisement (on the tables) about the sustainability successes of the marketplace as of now, as well as providing information about our on-campus garden?
Hopefully Occidental can learn from other colleges/universities, increase our own sustainability and become a leader and innovator in the campus greening movement.
Kylie
I agree with Kylie that these schools are making simple changes that can and should easily be implemented at Oxy. First off, biodegradable utensils are a great idea that could definitely be applied here. Many times the marketplace only has out plastic utensils, which forces students to use these and throw them away after use.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, the idea of advertising on the marketplace and cooler tables is excellent. As a class (more specifically, the food group,) we can make different informational sheets such as how to make smart choices at the marketplace (listing the local and organic foods) and on campus greening projects including the garden (when students can help) and the sustainability fund (how students can contribute).
Our garden is an amazing start to a greener campus. Unfortunately, due to liability issues the school cannot sell any of the produce from the garden. However, if we planted more flowers or had a separate flower garden, I am sure the school can use this flora for events without compromising our safety. Native flowers and plants could even be used to decorate the campus in general. The school should not be decorating our campus with non-native flowers. If Occidental wants to make a statement about being green then this should be obvious by walking around campus.
It seems ridiculous to me the time, money, and water spent on watering the flowers and general landscaping on our campus. I mean doesn’t the school know we are in a drought! Their actions certainly do not show this. For example, often when I go to soccer practice at 4:30 in the afternoon our field is moist from the sprinklers. The grass does not need to be watered in the middle of the day when it will only evaporate. I think that we need to talk with facilities about limiting their water use and conserving more.
Also, I want to add that because of our role as Occidental’s environmental stewards, we in UEP 246 should take the initiative in creating these changes on our campus. It is now our job and responsibility to make Oxy a greener campus!
-Grace
"is there a way we can change the payment method of the sustainability fund so more people are aware of it and its purpose."
ReplyDelete> we've asked the admin to put it on clearance so students/parents would have to decide before registration, but the admin wouldn't allow it :( The solution may be to amend the fund to be mandatory, that would require an election, perhaps something for a future class to lead after a few more projects have been funded