By Caitlin Masterson
The Green Action Team (GAT) began meeting two weeks ago to brainstorm ways to improve sustainability efforts on Ball State University’s campus. GAT is a part of the larger student organization Partnership for Sustainable Student Advancement (PSSA), a group founded this year after the Ball State Energy Action Team (BEAT) outgrew its name. PSSA now includes both BEAT and the Recycling Action Team (RAT). Both BEAT and RAT have names relevant to their specific responsibilities, but what does the Green Action Team do?
GAT is responsible for improving everything, besides energy conservation and recycling, that falls under the umbrella term “sustainability efforts.” The group works to network with other student organizations and the residence and dining halls on campus in order to address student concerns about Ball State’s impact on the environment. Students are represented by Eco-Reps from their residence halls. Eco-Reps work with hall directors and Resident Assistants to implement policy changes and organize events within the halls to raise awareness of environmental issues.
DeHority Hall has three Eco-Reps, two of whom are sophomore actuarial science major Kelli Kramer and sophomore classical culture major Allie Hartman. When asked what they would like to see improved in DeHority and on campus in general, Kramer replied, “We do not do enough. We have a lot of recycle bins, but they’re not effective.” Hartman commented, “Even if I only convince one kid in my hall to use silverware instead of plastic utensils…it’s [an] improvement.”
DeHority residents have been among those expressing their interest in improving sustainability efforts on campus. Hannah Banks, a sophomore Latin education major, suggested educating students about the blue recycling bags in dorm rooms. Rebecca Weber, a sophomore speech pathology major, proposed placing more water bottle fountains on campus, both inside and outside of the buildings.
Quintin Thompson, a senior political science and philosophical studies double major and an executive director of PSSA, mentioned the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ at the second GAT meeting, which underlines the idea that individuals will act in their own best interest without considering the ways their actions may work against the common good if the individual doesn’t have an understanding of why they ought to consider the common good: “Solutions can’t come from policy and technology. Change must come from a change in the culture itself.”
GAT is responsible for improving everything, besides energy conservation and recycling, that falls under the umbrella term “sustainability efforts.” The group works to network with other student organizations and the residence and dining halls on campus in order to address student concerns about Ball State’s impact on the environment. Students are represented by Eco-Reps from their residence halls. Eco-Reps work with hall directors and Resident Assistants to implement policy changes and organize events within the halls to raise awareness of environmental issues.
DeHority Hall has three Eco-Reps, two of whom are sophomore actuarial science major Kelli Kramer and sophomore classical culture major Allie Hartman. When asked what they would like to see improved in DeHority and on campus in general, Kramer replied, “We do not do enough. We have a lot of recycle bins, but they’re not effective.” Hartman commented, “Even if I only convince one kid in my hall to use silverware instead of plastic utensils…it’s [an] improvement.”
DeHority residents have been among those expressing their interest in improving sustainability efforts on campus. Hannah Banks, a sophomore Latin education major, suggested educating students about the blue recycling bags in dorm rooms. Rebecca Weber, a sophomore speech pathology major, proposed placing more water bottle fountains on campus, both inside and outside of the buildings.
Quintin Thompson, a senior political science and philosophical studies double major and an executive director of PSSA, mentioned the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ at the second GAT meeting, which underlines the idea that individuals will act in their own best interest without considering the ways their actions may work against the common good if the individual doesn’t have an understanding of why they ought to consider the common good: “Solutions can’t come from policy and technology. Change must come from a change in the culture itself.”
The Green Action Team meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. in NQ 039 to discuss their plans to make Ball State University a more sustainable campus.
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