Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Letters

As a firm believer in the "if it's yellow let it mellow" rule and an avid recycler, I not only support our university's efforts in "going green" but also admire its attempts at doing so. From "Trayless Tuesdays" and disposable cups courtesy of the campus dining services, to the compact florescent light bulbs distributed throughout the residence halls, the university really has made a conscious effort in reducing our ecological footprint.

However, I have noticed that our institution is striving to go green in more ways than one. I, of course, am referring to the lawn watering that has taken place throughout the campus grounds.

Now don't get me wrong, I like lush green grass as much as the next person, but discontinuing the lawn watering (and in some cases sidewalk watering) on campus would easily conserve hundreds of gallons of water. And this is not just a matter of conservation either. Watering campus grounds is simply another selfish act of American ignorance.

In Leonardo DiCaprio's film "The 11th Hour", which addresses the dire state of our environment, Wade Davis of the National Geographic Society proclaimed that, "America spends more money maintaining our lawns than India collects in federal tax revenue."

I doubt that I'm the only person around here who finds that statistic at least a little disturbing.

Jaclyn Hauser
sophomore
undeclared

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