Green U? Hardly

I recall reading an information packet GW distributed to all prospective students. When I came to look at the school, I picked up one of the packets. I was taken aback when I read that Vice President Al Gore had designated GW a “Green” University. Although this was not my sole reason for transferring here, it definitely appealed to the environmental advocate in me.

When I arrived at GW, I expected to see recycling bins in both on- and off-campus housing. I envisioned bins in all of the classrooms and buildings. Although there are recycling bins and containers in some of the residence halls, in mine, the Aston, there is no recycling facility.

Therefore, I must not only provide my own containers but haul my recyclable material to the less-than-adequate bins in the Marvin Center. Shouldn’t a “Green” University make recycling more accessible to all its students as well as to those who use its facilities?

J Street is an anti-“Green” institution on its own. Why are Styrofoam plates used as dishes at J Street? Styrofoam is as far from biodegradable as you can get. Wouldn’t it make more sense to use paper, a biodegradable material? Both Thurston dining hall and J Street have dishwashing facilities. If they used real plates, silverware and glasses, a great majority of the waste would be eliminated.

Also, there must be some way GW could incorporate a work-study program that would give students an opportunity as dishwashers.

Even though many students awaited the arrival of Burger King with open arms, I felt let down yet again by my “Green” University. Is inviting a major destroyer of rain forest land onto campus to serve its products really the route our “Green” University should be taking?

Although GW is designated a “Green” University, do not be fooled by the title. Sure, it may have a “Green” course curriculum, but as far as its’ on- and off-campus environmental practices, it has a long way to go before I will consider it truly “Green.”

As students, we can help eliminate the amount of waste produced in the dining facilities by bringing our own containers, silverware and a water bottle or mug.

-Stephen Tanenbaum
sophomore

Missing the big picture

For years now I have thought the media too often focus on the negative aspects of society, often ignoring the positive ones. After reading the Nov. 2 edition of The GW Hatchet, it seems that even The Hatchet is susceptible to reporting the negatives around campus, instead of the positives.

This Halloween, like the past several Halloweens, the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon have done their share to ensure that underprivileged children have a Halloween to remember. Countless numbers of hours were spent turning the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house into a haunted house for children. The children love the community service event, but so do those involved. There definitely is a sense of self-satisfaction knowing that you have contributed to a child’s Halloween memories.

With three children gripped tightly to both my arms, I walked children through the house, knowing that they would have a great Halloween because of something I am a part of.

I was saddened to see only an article of a fluke crime that occurred in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house instead of an article about a yearly community service event that touches hundreds of youngsters. There was, however, a picture of the event; I guess The Hatchet felt that a picture is truly worth a thousand words.

-Keith Sambur
Sigma Alpha Epsilon member