n Professor Mark Friedl of the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Geography and Environment recently wrote that he and representatives from the departments of Biology and Earth Science, “encourage Boston University to position itself as an international leader in the basic science and public policy of global environmental change, one of the grand challenges of our time. We believe that failure to do so will contribute to a weakened position in the global educational community and loss of prestige and support from alumni and corporate leaders,” (“Attention to global warming will make BU greener,” Feb. 27, p. 6)
That being said, it’s important to note that the one BU Report of the Strategic Planning Task Force, that “propose(s) a set of priorities for the next decade,” doesn’t attempt to address the task of achieving university-wide environmental sustainability. The fact that BU considers itself a preeminent, cutting-edge research institution- all the while getting a “D” letter grade from the College Sustainability Report Card 2007-is preposterous.
Our geography and geosciences programs were ranked third and ninth respectively by the Chronicle of Higher Education due to their excellent performances, but nevertheless, it seems that none of the imminent environmental concerns that each department rallies around is a concern to the Task Force. That kind of neglect is a considerable shame and mockery to the hardworking faculty, staff and students that pass daily through the Stone Science Building and the labs on Cummington Street.
After working for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety and realizing what little funds and scant planning go into recycling services, this call to arms is much more dier. The additional recycling bins at The Fitness and Recreation Center and the blue recycling bags handed out by the Office of Residence Life are just a beginning.
In addition, attention must be paid to where the energy that powers our buildings and facilities is coming from, how efficiently it is being used, what waste streams we develop and so on.
Professor Cutler Cleveland is presently calculating the impact of BU’s “ecological footprint” with help from his students. The Environmental Students Association conducts a trash and recycling audits “to show everyone on campus just how much we waste.”
Funding and support for projects like this need to continue. Every party is responsible — administration, faculty, staff and students alike. In order to improve our BU, we need to address sustainable practices campus-wide.
Benjamin Anderson
CAS ’07