Gearing Up For No Impact Week, Texas State Talks "Going Green"

Sustainability. Environmentally friendly. Recycling.

The campus of Texas State University is abuzz with talk of all things “green” as this year’s Common Experience theme promotes eco-conscious living.

Many students listed the convenient on-campus recycling bins and university tram system as “green” resources they used often.

"I recycle because if we reuse, then we don't have to create and we lessen our carbon footprint,” said Stephanie Pridgen, a communication studies graduate student.

Management senior Andrea Ray said she recycles because it’s the right thing to do. French major Tammy Erwin, junior, and animal science freshman Abrie Dahle both noted waste reduction as their motivation to recycle.

Audrey McKinney, professor of a class on environmental topics, praised recycling and other eco-friendly practices. To go a step farther than recycling is to use less in total or to use things that don’t even need to be recycled, McKinney said.

"It's shocking and scary how much trash there is, and it'll be there for thousands and thousands of years,” said Adeline Fresch, national business senior.

Being more environmentally conscious isn’t something that comes easy to every student, however.

Russel Booth, philosophy and finance double major, said he isn’t greatly concerned about the environment because it doesn’t affect him immediately.

Philosophy major Jules said he believes the only way to be completely environmentally friendly would be to commit suicide. Alternatively, Jules said he is as environmentally concerned as he can be because it’s a simple thing to do.

This semester, discussions on the environment or sustainability permeate the classrooms of subjects as diverse as political science, philosophy, urban sociology and organizational behavior.

As part of the Common Experience, Texas State plans to hold “No Impact Week” Sept. 26-Oct. 3 to continue to educate students about sustainability.

More information on No Impact Week and sustainability can be found through Texas State’s Common Experience website.