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The Behrend Beacon
Sustainability plan preserves
Behrend's natural beauty
by Christine Kleck
staff writer
Behrend’s natural beauty has long been one
of the college’s most visible assets. An effort is
now underway to preserve and protect the
college and surrounding land for future
generations.
As requested of all Penn State campuses by
the University’s Green Destiny Council, a task
force of Behrend teachers and administrators has
established an ecological sustainability plan
geared toward preserving the college and its
adjacent areas.
Previously owned by the Mary Behrend
family, this 700-acre Harborcreek township
college has “naturally" drawn in students, faculty
and staff members from all different areas of the
world.
Upkeep of the college and surrounding scenic
areas is no easy task. With expansion of the
campus and construction of nearby roads,
upkeep of the college and the surrounding scenic
areas is a growing challenge.
Tom Wortman, special projects assistant to the
Provost and Dean, and Dr. Robert Light,
associate provost and associate dean, acted as
coordinators of a task force for this project.
“The University feels a responsibility to the
land, the people, and the rest of the world,
because the resources are finite,” Wortman said.
The task force was then divided into seven
working groups, with each working group
including faculty and staff members required to
devise their own short-term and long-term goals.
The goals outlined in the 2001 plan for
Ecological Sustainability plan, are:
* Reduce energy use and promote cleaner
fossil fuels.
* Conserve water use.
* Minimize solid, liquid and hazardous waste.
* Increase healthfulness and reduce waste of
food.
* Delineate, protect and preserve forest
wetland communities.
* Incorporate “green” practices into the
renovation and construction of facilities.
* Promote ecological stewardship within the
college community.
Wortman says this project does more than just
educate students - it forces them to
act. “It’s about more than just awareness, it's
about a positive effect on the future," he said.
Dividing specific working group areas has
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made it easier for the members to gather
information on past statistics about Behrend
(water, paper, land use, etc). From that
information they are able to see where they
would like to be in the future and how to make
these sustaining practices second nature to all
members of the Behrend community.
When it came to searching for ideas and
practices to preserve the local resources,
Wortman said that each working group started
small. “We were able to collect up numbers and
discover a lot of little things that just needed to
be adjusted to be corrected,” he said.
Actions promoting sustainability have not
only been seen within the task force's working
groups. The Student Affairs office is planning
Behrend sustainability events surrounding the
April Earth Day celebration within the college.
The Behrend Biology club has tackled several
pressing ecological issues within its education
committee. The Pennsylvania Sea Grant has also
played a big part in this project, as its staff
members are bringing their educational efforts
related to sustainability to the Behrend
Community. Beta Beta Beta, the biological
honors society, is planning several elements of
an Earth Week celebration that coincide with the
efforts of the overall sustainability project.
Several of the Bi Sci classes are also taking
part in the efforts, as they have been instructed
to form mini working groups within theirclasses,
to tackle the real-world environmental issues that
are pressing Behrend.
As for the future of the Sustainability project
at Behrend, Wortman has very strong faith in
the leaders of the working groups and the
Behrend community at large. “We have some
real active minds, and some live eyes working
together. Some of the most responsible people
on campus are included in this. I don’t know
how it can fail,” he said.
As with any Earth preservation project,
Wortman believes that the efforts and ideas
established at this time will become common,
everyday practices and beliefs of the Behrend
community. “The Behrend family would be very
happy to hear that we are taking an interest in
their land - it is a process that will take forever,”
he said.
Continued coverage of events occurring
within the task force at large and specifics on
each of the seven working groups will appear in
up-coming issues of the Behrend Beacon.
SPECIALS THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU!
NEwwH
Friday, March 1, 2002
, The Student Activity Fee Committee is preparing to allocate money for Fall 2002. We need
f’ your requests. Please pick up a Funding Proposal Request Form at the Reed Union Building
1 (RUB) Information Desk, the SGA Office, the Office of Student Activities, or the Office of
Student Affairs to suggest uses for the available funding. Forms and additional information
are also available at the Student Activity Fee web site located at
www.pserie.psu.edu/activitv/saf/index.htm. Funding guidelines are summarized below:
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES that enhance out-of-class experiences for students, including registered
student organizations, publications and radio stations, publicity for student activities and
programs, learning experiences, and travel. (NOTE: The Committee will accept project-based
proposals from registered student organizations. Funds will only be allocated for one-time events.)
EQUIPMENT that facilitates opportunities for student involvement and campus-wide
programming.
FACILITIES UPGRADES in direct support of out-of-class experiences.
PROGRAM SUPPORT to meet campus-wide programming needs, such as lecture series, music
programs, cultural events, and entertainment.
RECREATION, including support for club sports, intramurals, open recreation, and facilities and
equipment that support these needs.
DIVERSE POPULATIONS AND ISSUES, including programs and activities which support
and/or enhance such diversity and non-traditional activities as women’s and multicultural issues,
subsidized child care, special lounges, and program support.
SELECTED SUPPORT SERVICES, including athletics, career development and placement
services, child care services, health services and health education, personal counseling, and
student activities.
To strengthen your proposal, please provide itemized details and quotes.
Written quotes are required for all food or refreshment requests.
Been there. Done that.
What’s next? You decide.
STUDENT ACT
GENE,
Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 15, 2002.
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