President's Corner: Why Sustainability Matters

Sustainability: Bringing into line human's wants with their needs and continuing the ability for humans to live comfortably into the indefinite future. 

Unfortunately, few people understand this definition and the importance of sustainability.  We are facing an exponentially growing human population with decreasing natural resources available for our use.  Meanwhile, fossil fuels that we are heavily reliant upon are almost undeniably causing a warming earth.

If you or someone you know plan on having children, you should be even more concerned about sustainability, because they will be the ones who will pay the most significant price for our lack of action.

I don't expect our students to try to make sweeping changes to our country's environmental policies at this point in our lives.  But there are steps that each of us can take every day to lessen our "footprint" on the earth and live more sustainable lives.  Everyone, not just a select few, must be more sustainably minded. 

If you are interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle on campus, there is a new housing option being offered next year.  The Gray House residence hall is becoming a "Green" house.  The residential life department is looking for 10 students who want to live a green lifestyle to live in the gray house next academic year.  For more information and to request an application, email the director of Residential Life, Erin Rossetti. 

Maybe you're a commuter or aren't ready to take such a big step in sustainable living.  That's OK.  There are a few simple steps you can take to be green starting today.  Reduce the amount of packaging you buy and throw away by purchasing items in larger amounts.   Reuse items as many times as you can before throwing them away. When you are throwing something away, look to see if it can be recycled first.  If you are throwing away anything biodegradable, compost it by burying it in the ground. 

Ways to live a more sustainable life are almost limitless. From turning off and unplugging items you aren't using, to taking shorter showers, to buying locally, there are many ways to save energy and resources.  If we each adopt these steps, we are making a better life for our children and their children.  The time to start is now.