What on EARTH?

(09-16-2009)

  • The EARTH group garnered almost $95 from its bake sale held during the Autumn@Adams Chile Cook-off.
  • The EARTH Recycled T-Shirt 5K Fun Run/Walk, Aug.29 was quite successful, with 32 runners/walkers. It will now become an annual event. Thanks to James and Angela Bedard for organizing.
  • Chef Kristen Zagranski and Sodexo's cafeteria have made Trayless Dining a daily event. This measure saves significant energy, water, and soap costs, while reducing food waste.
  • Electronics Recycling is planned for Oct. 10. Watch the Portal for details
  • EARTH has two volunteer activities for campus members to choose on ASC Cares Day, Saturday, Sept. 26, which is also National Public Lands Day. EARTH will again sponsor a clean-up of the riparian zone along the Rio Grande north of campus. If interested, plan to meet by Richardson Hall before 9 a.m. to get food and drink, then walk to the Rio Grande by the softball diamond and begin picking up trash. The project will last until noon. Please wear old clothing - gloves and trash bags will be provided. Those who'd like to go farther afield can assist with cleanup of a dump site BLM lands southeast of Manassa (near a wilderness study area). Rob Santoro, the Volunteer Program Coordinator at the San Luis Public Lands Center is coordinating the project. Volunteers should meet at the Manassa Junior High School at 8 a.m. This project will continue until about 2 pm. Lunch will be included and gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. For more information about either project, please check the ASC Cares Day website.
  • Several initiatives are saving energy in the computer labs, including auto shutdowns at night, forced shutdowns after a certain period of inactivity (still a few bugs in this system, but they are being addressed), and introduction of some Linux "Thin Clients" - computers with no hard drive, so less energy is used.
  • The Green Bike program now offers 15 bikes for free "rental," thanks to a donation of 5 bikes by LiveWell Alamosa. There is a pressing need for more bike racks on campus for the increased bicycle traffic. Dr. Marty Jones is gathering email requests for more bike racks to pass on to college administration.