The trees are blooming; the birds are chirping; and the sun beams down on the backs of students making their ways toward classes they'd rather skip. As the semester continues to wind down, students spend more of their time outdoors not knowing they take for granted the beauty of our campus.
From the brick buildings to the fountains, this campus is easy on the eyes.
I hear complaints daily about how the construction is destroying our campus, and I've even said some things myself. However, it is much more disgusting to leave cigarette butts all over the ground and gum on the sidewalks than to have big machines or dirt piles at campus construction sites.
While enjoying lunch outside of the Art and Journalism building, along with a countless number of other students lounging around on any structures they could find, I was disgusted at the overflowing garbage receptacles. More so, I was disgusted with the students refusing to walk to the trash cans that had room for their garbage instead of piling it on top just to watch it blow off.
Students take advantage of how beautiful Ball State's campus really is. It is apparent how enjoyable it is to be outside because they bring their lunches, sports and even homework out into the sun, but when more students are outside, there tends to be more litter and more destruction. Ball State students need to appreciate this campus and clean up after themselves.
I never really thought much of the trash around campus. I mostly just ignored it, like everyone else. Last weekend changed my mind, though, as I witnessed firsthand the problems that litter causes.
Being a frequent visitor to the duck pond, I was disheartened last weekend while looking at the water to see miscellaneous litter and trash. Why don't students care enough to keep campus clean? I was standing on the edge throwing bits of bread onto the water's surface. I saw a duck on the edge of the pond, desperately wanting the bread. He leaned in as far as he could from the edge, but he couldn't reach it. I wondered why he wouldn't just jump in; I mean, come on, he's a duck. But I can't say I blame him. I love the duck pond; it might be my favorite part of campus, but it's so dirty. People are inconsiderate -- even the ducks think so.
Of all the annual holidays, Earth Day is among the most forgotten. This not-so-popular holiday promotes the improvement of the environment. From riding in a car pool for reduced pollution to picking up trash, Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to take small steps toward a big effort.
The idea of Earth Day, a holiday that took over seven years to put onto the calendar, began in 1962.
However, we shouldn't need a reason to keep our earth clean; we should be eager to work toward environmental wellness.
This Earth Day, make a difference. Even if it means picking up just one piece of garbage or taking the few extra steps to throw your lunch remains away instead of piling them on top of the receptacles. I hate to say it, but every little bit helps.
Happy Earth Day.
Write to Whitney at
wlhoyt@gmail.com
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