Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo by Meghan see

Brackett brings VWC one step closer to being green

By Ina Solms

cmsolmsbaruth@vwc.edu

We hear it every day: we have to become more environmentally conscious; future generations depend on us to start taking care of our earth. Yet somehow, Virginia Wesleyan has been lagging behind on sustainability efforts. Thanks to SEAL, Student Environmental Awareness League, we have a growing recycling program. There have been other smaller efforts towards sustainability, such as the discontinuance of the use of trays in the Caf, but it is really time to step it up. There is good news for environmentalists: Kerry Brackett has been hired as VWC s first Director of Sustainability and Energy on campus. For those who still throw water bottles in the trash can instead of the recycling bin, watch out: Virginia Wesleyan is going green.

Brackett, a graduate from Berea College, is the front line manager for ARAMARK, a facilities managment company. His position at Virginia Wesleyan will be paid for by ARAMARK for one year. He is responsible for guiding the green efforts on campus, and will work closely with the Physical Plant to monitor and reduce energy usage on campus. His specific duties include developing and introducing sustainable programs, directing grant-writing efforts for environmentally-friendly initiatives, and serving as project manager on the President s Environmental Issues Council.

Brackett s main goals for VWC include improving student awareness regarding sustainability and developing further initiatives to compliment our recycling efforts. He is also looking into possible renewable energy resources such as solar panels and even wind turbines in the future.

Brackett defines sustainability as the ability to adhere to the needs of the present without jeopardizing needs for the future. Brackett attended a SEAL meeting and was surprised to find the lack of support for environmental initiatives. He plans on supporting SEAL in their efforts by serving as a liaison between the club, the college administration and the student body.

Kerry s top tips on going green for the students are recycling, being mindful of energy use and simply being aware of one s environment.

 The initiative is good, but there is a lot of work to be done, Carolyn Ludwig, a member of Virginia Wesleyan s Trail Club said. We have to make students aware of the efforts and their importance.

Ludwig and Jasmin Rahman, both exchange students from Berlin, came up with a few suggestions of how students can painlessly contribute to the effort, such as turning the lights and computer off when not in use, taking shorter showers, driving less, cutting down on air conditioning use, and not littering.

 Everyone can do it, Rahman said,  our campus needs to be a good example for the communities around us.

Freshman Christine Markham mentioned starting a compost initiative on campus. She also suggested that RAs join the cause by enforcing recycling and discouraging students from throwing beer cans around campus.