Voice!

Hey all,

I wanted to update you all on the efforts of students, faculty and the university to go green. Last night we had our weekly EON meeting, and it was exciting to see the progress that has been made over the last several years. EON stands for the Environmental Organizers’ Network – it’s basically the place where students come together to talk about environmental stewardship on campus and in the community. We then break up into smaller ‘campaigns,’ where we will work with the community to get a specific goal accomplished.

I’ve been going to EON meetings since my RA (resident advisor) dragged me to a meeting my frosh year. I had never been interested in environmental activism before, but I kept coming to meetings because it was a group of incredibly passionate people, and they had a track record for getting things done. The group has become a big part of my experience at Wes – and I think it proves the point that if you come to Wes, you will undoubtedly get interested in something that you never could have predicted back in high school.

OK, back to the green. EON has worked closely with administrators to become more environmentally conscious. Walk into WESHOP (grocery store on campus) and you will without thinking buy organic, cage-free eggs – thanks to an EON campaign that occurred even before my time. Walk through the dorms and you will see nifty labels for cans/bottles and paper, thanks to pressure from students and support from administrators. We also have an up-and-growing composting program that has taken off thanks to the help of Bon Appetit, the new food service, which will compost all pre-production waste from Usdan.

Most exciting is that the university has started a Sustainability Committee, again with the help/prodding of students. Together with faculty and staff (and the people who hold the purse-strings), we meet to talk about new initiatives and how we can improve sustainability as a school. We have had a couple good meetings and we’re looking forward to the next one, where we will be discussing the possibility of President Roth signing a university commitment to combating climate change.

I’ll keep updating you all on the progress we’re making as a school. But look out on your next visit for recycling labels and compost bins, or ask a student what they think of the environmental awareness here. And, of course, you can do your own part in making your own lifestyles more sustainable.

Izaak Orlansky ‘08
Senior Interviewer

P.S. If you’re interested in following EON more closely, check out our blog at http://www.wesleyaneon.blogspot.com