In the last few weeks, I've been getting more and more excited about Zipcar and bike sharing programs. Despite quite a few bumps in the road, we're finally nearing the end (or the beginning?) of the Zipcar saga. With the support of risk management and several other key administrators, the only step left is to get approval from the Cabinet. With amazingly positive survey results and not many reasons to say no, the future is looking bright for car-sharing! Although there are a few more hurdles for the bike sharing program, that's looking good as well. It's incredible that after just a semester of hard work, we can potentially get both alternative transportation programs on campus.
It seems that the rest of the campus is moving towards sustainability on its own, as well. After installment of bike racks, the number of bikes on campus has exploded. In addition, a large number of my friends are considering bringing their bikes to campus next semester (or, hopefully, will be avid users of the new bike sharing program!) This snowball effect could easily turn Oxy from its current car-centrism to a campus where Zipcars, bikes, and good old-fashioned legs are the new norm for transportation around our urban environment.
But as much as I want to celebrate the work that has been done by both my group and individual Oxy students, I'm amazed by how much work is yet to be done to make this college truly sustainable. As important as it is to recognize the current accomplishments of the College towards a 'green' campus, we also need to begin to plan what the next steps will be. Judging by how long it took to get Zipcar, pre-existing program, approved at Oxy (thus far, unofficially approved), brainstorming and work for future projects should begin as soon as possible.
What other projects could Oxy students pursue in order to improve our college's sustinability? Here's my brainstorming below - feel free to post your own ideas in a comment!
- Start a composting program. We could start with just the Green Bean, and perhaps slowly expand to the Cooler, Marketplace, and even the dorms. I started a composting program at my high school, and it was surprisingly easy, even for a school of 700 students + faculty/staff. Composting usually involves an extra receptacle for non-animal product food scraps, compostable cups and plastic containers, and food-soiled paper products, like napkins. Our contracted trash collecting company likely works with composting as well; if not, there are a good number of other compost-collecting companies in the LA area.
- Add hand dryers to all bathrooms on campus (including dorms). This may seem like a small gesture, but I always hate seeing the thousands of paper towels thrown into the garbage each week.
- Make our landscaping more sustainable. Replacing water-sucking non-native plants with some local, natural growth would decrease our water usage, which is currently astronomical (70% of our total water usage on campus comes from watering!)
- Keep working towards getting solar and more local and organic foods at our dining halls.
-Get rid of the leaf blowers! They're pretty much pointless, and awful for the environment. If the administration insists on getting rid of fallen leaves, would it be so awful to use a rake??
- (this is a little wishful, but...) Turn Rangeview into an energy-generating gym! We could also do this with the gym they're planning on installing in Alumni gym. If people are already working out, we might as well get some free energy from it!
Judging from the level of excitement surrounding local foods month, the potential solar array, Zipcars, and bike sharing, Oxy students are willing to help make campus sustainability a reality. Post your ideas below OR, better yet, apply for funding to make it happen!
http://clubs.oxy.edu/asoc/sustainability.htm
