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Activist Acronyms
by Brandon Estela
Like many people, I have often wondered: Where is environmentalism on grounds? Why aren't there people with big sad eyes in our faces all the time, beseeching us to form human barricades in front of bulldozers ready to annihilate local endangered species? Where is the angst and the great schism between the students and administration? They are nowhere to be found, because they would be counterproductive at U.Va. Instead, our environmental groups operate in a judicious and discerning manner, choosing their causes carefully so as not to alienate themselves from the administration, with whom they often have to work, and from the students, who are the basis of their support. For the past few years, they have been exerting their influence to warm up the community for what is to come. But first, the players: The Student Alliance for Virginia's Environment (SAVE) is the oldest environmental group on grounds, focusing on the immediate environmental concerns of the surrounding areas. Realizing the importance of action and education, they are in charge of an Adopt-A- Highway program on Route 250 and teach environmentalism to children at Venable Elementary School. Their most conspicuous contribution to the university is the recycling program. Until the creation of the Office of Recycling four years ago, SAVE single- handedly ran the entire program on grounds. But by no means has the Office of Recycling made them obsolete. Last summer the two groups worked in conjunction to place recycling bins in all university housing, and they distributed the pamphlet "Treading Gently," which explains recycling and environmentalism on grounds. Despite their gains in recycling, however, SAVE laments the fact that the Office of Recycling is seriously understaffed and receptacles are often found overflowing. There are many people willing to participate in recycling, but they are turned off because of frustration or inconvenience. Despite these annoyances, SAVE co-president Jennifer McCranie urges people not to be discouraged: "Learning about the environment and life is so much more than just a fad." Her co- president Whitney Wallace concurs, "We want environmentalism to be part of people's lives. I know that this sounds trite or cliché, but it is a reality when we say that ŒEvery day is Earth Day.'" The Architecture Students' Environmental Action Committee (ASEAC) is one of few environmental groups in the nation affiliated with an architecture school. Because architecture is so integral to the shaping of the environment and landscape, it would seem that such groups would naturally exist. The truth is that environmentalism is not stressed in architectural programs unless you take a class specifically dealing with the topic, an academic exclusion ASEAC is attempting to change. Who would have thought that a school in our university would actually be a trend-setter for environmentalism? With the enthusiastic backing of Dean William McDonough (the so called "Green Dean"), this two-year-old group is action-oriented (like SAVE) and tries to make the A-School as environmentally sound as possible. Secretary Stephen Chemsak praises the group: "What we're doing here is so awesome; we're helping so many people, not just talking and putting up posters." In the two years since its creation, ASEAC has been successful in bringing recycling into the architecture studios and has consistently completed a sizable project each semester. In past semesters they raked leaves to cut down on noise pollution, made their own paper, planted trees on Carr's Hill, and composted biodegradable waste. However promising this might be, it would be impossible without student involvement. This year, no first years joined the ranks. Is this student apathy or poor advertising? In response, ASEAC plans to double its efforts in running a solid campaign to inform the students about its activities. Student Environmental Action (SEA) realizes that the rest of the university is not the A- School. As one of the more political of the environmental groups, its purpose is to promote environmentalism on a broader level. Its main concern is persuading the administration to implement environmentally-sound policies. Their greatest success is their recycled, non- bleached paper campaign. When President Casteen heard about SEA's concerns, he formed a coalition of faculty, administration, staff, and students on grounds called Green for Life (GFL). In concomitance with SEA, this group studied the best types of paper to use for university publications and computer labs. They successfully convinced ITC (which uses 10% of the university's paper) to change its computer lab paper to Unity DP. But the task is still daunting -- there are 400 individuals at the university who have paper buying power; GFL and SEA have been presenting these individuals and their departments with alternative paper types with modest success. GFL is looking to expand its role to study and make recommendations for other environmentally-friendly purchases. In the past, the university normally did not seem to take a pro-active environmental stance when making purchasing decisions. SEA does, however, give credit to the administration for being receptive to the issues brought up by these groups. "If you approach them, they are, at least surface-wise, receptive. We approached ARAmark, urging them to purchase more organic fruits and vegetables. We got, well, organic carrots. At least that's a start though, and it shows a lot of promise," SEA leader Angela Menegay commented. Hoping to better coordinate their efforts and help each other out, environmental coalitions are currently being formed. Next week we will see SAVE, ASEAC, and SEA join with 15 other progressive groups in Wake Up Week to promote activism. This is unprecedented in recent university history. "The problem with many student activist groups like SEA and SAVE is not that people don't care, but that they don't want to take the time. Those who do have the time limit themselves," states student activist Michelle Yau. "Everyone has their pet cause -- that's why we've had a problem forming a coalition." No longer. There is a new spirit of activism around grounds; people are getting excited. Let's just hope the twin evils of student apathy and administrative sluggishness do not stifle the possibility of true change.
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