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On the 40th Earth Day, the message is to go green

Ball State and BEAT emphasize sustainability

Ball State University's commitment to have a more sustainable campus has led to awards and country-wide recognition, but its priority is to educate students to become more environmentally aware.

Kevin Kenyon, vice president of Facilities Planning and Management, said the university has taken many steps to become more sustainable. These changes range from small changes in dining to larger-scale plans like the new geothermal heat pump system, which will be the country's largest closed geothermal energy system.

Ball State has received several awards and recognition as a "green campus", earning the Energy Patriot Award in 2007 and ranking as one of the country's 75 green universities in 2008 by Kiwi Magazine.

But the university's main goal as a green university is to provide students, faculty and staff with understanding of the aspects of sustainability, Kenyon said.

SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS
Ball State has gone through different changes to become sustainable. Some of these changes are:

  • Changing most of the incandescent light bulbs on campus in the past few years and replacing them with LED lighting.
  • A reforestation plan, making sure each year more trees are planted on and around campus.
  • Designing buildings, such as Park Hall and the David Letterman Communication and Media Building, to have more natural light, in order to become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified facilities.
  • Dining changes including switching to disposable dinnerware and carry-out containers and using eco-friendly chemicals and cleaning methods.

STUDENT AWARENESS
The initiative to make "green" changes on campus is a way to make students aware that a change in habits can lead to a more sustainable environment, Kenyon said.

"One of the things this generation will have to face are environmental issues," he said. "Our students need to go out to the world with a clear understanding about the aspects of sustainability."

Another step the university has taken to raise awareness about environmental issues is incorporating programs that help take care of the environment, such as urban planning, natural resources and environmental management classes.

Kenyon also helped create the Ball State Energy Action Team — a group of students from different fields that work to promote environmental awareness.

"There's always been students wanting to be more sustainable," he said. "And this group has been very interested."

Nicole Walcott, a member of BEAT, said the group started as a small idea but has grown in the past few months. For Walcott, the initiatives of the university to become more sustainable give a sense of alignment with the ideas of the team.

The university initiatives have also had an effect on students, BEAT member Linsi Latimer said.

"I hear some people complain about lights being on all the time in some buildings, and I think students are starting to realize [about the steps the university is taking]," she said. "I think a few years ago people didn't even think about energy efficiency."

However, Walcott said there is more to be done to maintain a sustainable environment.

"I think the mentality has not changed much, we still have a long way to go," she said. "It's still in the process of changing."

A CELEBRATION
BEAT is joining the Natural Resources Club at Ball State for "Earth Week" to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

This year different campus clubs and organizations, as well as community members and Ball State alumni, have collaborated to educate Muncie about Earth awareness with a series of free events.

So far this week, they have provided students with different learning opportunities, as well as some related entertainment.

Monday night, they showed the movies "Fern Gully" and "Earth" in Pruis Hall. On Tuesday, they hosted the Michael Martin Band, One Side Later and Losing September for a free concert in LaFollette Field.

Since today is Earth Day, the main event will be held in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center from 1 to 6 p.m. in Cardinal Hall Rooms B and C. Different campus clubs and organizations will have booths set up displaying their contributions to bettering the Earth.

"Ball State students will not only learn about these organizations and the information they have to share, they will also have an opportunity to network, create contacts and learn more about potential career fields," said Latimer, who is also the Natural Resources Club secretary.

There will be a sustainable clothing drive where students will be able to get free clothes or give away clothes that they no longer wear. Students will also have the chance to donate unwanted notebooks, pens, pencils and other school supplies to the Back to School Store for teachers in need.

Just as this event is ending in the Student Center, another will be starting in DeHority Complex. The SEXI Committee (Students Excited for Extreme Intelligence) will be hosting an Amazing Race event.

"We're putting on an Earth Day event to raise awareness because it's important to be proactive and know facts about the Earth and the resources you have," said Leda Fortier, the committee's chairwoman.

Although the race is being held in and around DeHority, everyone can participate.

The game will start shortly after 6 p.m., and students are encouraged to join a team in the DeHority lobby. Each team will be sent to a different station with various Earth awareness themes, such as trash pick-up, recyclables, food chains and relevant organizations. The winning team will get a prize.

At the end of the Amazing Race, students will be able to plant their own flowers or vegetables in ceramic pots that they will decorate themselves and be able to take home. The SEXI Committee will also serve dirt pudding, complete with gummy bugs.

Between each of these events, service projects and clubs and organizations, the goal is that students will have the chance to become more active in the "going green" initiative, as well as become more educated about the topic, Fortier said.

"Going green is definitely a trend, but I'm hoping its one that will stay," she said. "Right now ,I think it's more about the surface value, and people just want to fit in by going green. But I'm hoping that people will understand that their actions actually matter and that the environment can really be harmed by what they're doing."

Energy saving tips that save money and help the environment:

  • Turn off lights and appliances when you're not in the room.
  • Use the microwave instead of the oven for small meals.
  • Opt for "green power" electricity in your home.
  • Repair leaks in air conditioners and refrigerators.
  • Use less heat and air conditioning.
  • Insulate your house, water heater and pipes.

Tips to conserve water:

  • Turn the water off when shaving or brushing your teeth.
  • Take showers instead of baths.
  • Refrigerate water instead of letting the facet run until the water is cold.
  • Wash full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine.
  • Repair leaks in pipes.
  • Set sprinklers to water only your yard, not the sidewalk.
  • Sweep instead of using a hose outside.

Did you know you can also recycle...

  • electronics
  • motor oil
  • compost food scraps
  • yard clippings
  • dead plants

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