On Wednesday I was walking through the BU Beach to meet a friend for lunch at the GSU. It was nearly 85 degrees outside and the Beach was swarming with students hanging out, catching some rare Boston sun, studying and throwing footballs and Frisbees. I was looking around, taking in the scene, when I noticed the little yellow signs from Facilities Management warning that the grass was treated with pesticides and that people should keep away. This scene was disturbing for a few reasons. First, why are hundreds of students walking around or even lying shirtless in grass that is covered with harmful chemicals? Second and more importantly, why would the university treat the BU Beach with pesticides when it knows it is a popular place to go when the weather is nice? Isn’t it even promoted this way to incoming students? If the grass is safe, then the signs should be removed. Otherwise, the university owes the students and faculty an explanation for why it is putting so many people in harm’s way, and why it is not doing more to stop people from putting themselves in danger.

George Gay

CAS ’08