Can $1,500 dollars change the world?
According to David Downie, director of environmental studies and associate politics professor, the answer is no. However, he says, “Ideas do.”
Downie is referring to the announcement of three $1500 grants being offered to students by the Campus Sustainability Committee.
The grants for the 2012-2013 academic year will be awarded to Fairfield students that submit proposals, and that “have a positive impact on environmental and sustainability issues affecting the Fairfield University campus,” wrote Jen Klug, associate professor of biology, in an email sent to students mid-September.
The grants serve as “seed money for students to initiate and carry out good ideas,” said Downie. Projects like the campus garden and the beehive have flourished with seed money from the biology department. The committee hopes that this will be the case for these new projects.
While students are given the opportunity to make a difference, will they take advantage of the opportunity?
Some may argue, our campus culture is indifferent to the environment or even cynical about making any real change. Junior Jesus Nuñez, a member of Leaders for Environmental Action at Fairfield and a Fairfield garden intern, has a strong opinion about the culture here.
“Recycling is awful. We have a bad rate for recycling. There are also really bad amounts of food waste,” said Nuñez. Although in Barone one can hear complaints about the terrible food, students still insist on bringing overloaded plates to their table. This cultural habit is what needs to change, according to Nuñez.
Junior Arturo Jaras-Watts, a student representative on the committee, thinks that, “behaviors can move in a more sustainable direction.” This would include cutting down on the food waste, opting for reusable water bottles and turning off the lights.
Engaging in sustainability is more than simply being passionate about the environment. Even if students are not concerned with climate change, there are economic, ethical and political aspects to sustainability; thus, making the grants an interdisciplinary project for the entire school.
Because sustainability is a diverse issue with a variety of implications, the committee hopes to attract a variety of students to propose their ideas. “This isn’t just for people who are a part of LEAF. I hope this opportunity speaks to students in every corner of campus, connecting sustainability to their future vocation,” said Watts.
But even with the financial support and student initiative, can an impact be made without administrative support? Administration receives many ideas at a time and has to prioritize the demands of the students. However, so far the committee feels administration has been receptive to sustainability issues.
One of the reasons for this receptiveness is the win-win situation created by sustainable initiatives. Changes toward sustainability save resources and money. “Overtime these ideas will pay for themselves. Increasing recycling, and turning off the lights will pay for itself in the course of a year,” said Downie.
For James Fitzpatrick, he was not only motivated fiscally to get involved with the committee but personally. Fitzpatrick has been at Fairfield University since 1966 and through out the years he has seen environmental movements begin with inspiring professors and enthusiastic students. He hopes he can continue their passion for years to come.
With financial and administrative support, a student impact is possible. And the committee members believe in the strong possibility of local change. “I hope locally Fairfield University becomes known as an environmental powerhouse. Fairfield University is in a geographic position to be a really environmental school,” said Nuñez.
Whatever comes of these grants students can remember, “Many of the best ideas start small,” said Downie.
The Grant submissions must be submitted to the Campus Sustainability Committee, Box A in the Barone Campus Center by Oct. 15. Finalist will be announced Oct. 30.
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