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What is
the Campus Ecology Group? |
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The Campus Ecology Group is a
committee made up of students, faculty, administrators, and staff members
who are interested in addressing the environmental impact of Colgate's
operations in an effort to promote greater environmental sustainability.
The Group officially formed in 1997 when Ron Blackmore, a concerned member
of the Colgate community, came together with Environmental Studies faculty,
Students for Environmental Action (SEA) student leaders, and the Faculty and
Staff Environmentalists group organized by Blackmore. Mark Spiro's
predecessor in Administrative Services, Ernie Cross, and then Dean of
Faculty, Jane Pinchin also contributed to the formation of the Group.
The effectiveness of the Campus Ecology Group seems to come from the diversity of its members. The Group incorporates two types of people, the "thinkers" and the "doers." The "thinkers" are those who come up with ideas and suggestions for changes and improvements that can be made. These people are usually environmentally-minded faculty and students. The "doers," on the other hand, are usually members of Administrative Services who are in positions that allow them to make the changes that the "thinkers" suggest. Since all of these people are actively involved in the Campus Ecology Group, it creates a situation where the "thinkers" aren't coming up with ideas that are independent of what is feasible for the "doers," but the two groups are working together to determine the best possible course of action for each issue that arises. Paul Pinet, Professor of Geology and one of the founding members of the Group believes that Mark Spiro, Vice President for Administrative Services, plays a critical role in the functioning of the Group. "Mark Spiro is very committed and he gets things done," Pinet notes. This was illustrated recently when at a Outdoor Education/Environmental Studies Roundtable discussion a student suggested that the COOP offer free trade coffee, and Spiro said he'd look into it. A few days later, free trade was being offered daily. Today the Campus Ecology Group is actively working to influence change at Colgate. Every semester the Group brings forth recommendations and ideas pertaining to energy use, waste reduction, recycling, campus auto use, and property management, and then works to see that these issues are addressed. Among the Group's more recent ideas that were put into action were the use of more efficient light bulbs in the reading areas of the library, and better recycling and trash facilities in the student apartments. The Group is also continuing to work on finding a site for a composting facility to deal with Colgate's food waste. What does the future hold for campus ecology at Colgate? Blackmore says that he would like to see "environmental awareness institutionalized in the everyday operations of the University and habits of the users." While this could be a huge task with long-term implications, the Campus Ecology Group is making steps in that direction. "It is my feeling that the Campus Ecology Group should be open as the best way for anyone in the Colgate and surrounding community to air environmentally-related concerns that arise from Colgate's operations," explains Blackmore. Those who are interested in presenting an idea or a concern to the Campus Ecology Group should contact Emily Boyd at eboyd@mail.colgate.edu or 228-6997. |