In 2000, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's recycling program was a model for institutions across the nation. In 2002, Chancellor Harvey Perlman cut the program from the school's budget, and a graduate assistant position was created to replace regular recycling.
Since then, UNL's former standing as a top recycling university has fallen to abysmal levels. In addition, a national collegiate "report card" from endowmentinstitute.org tells us that while other schools around the U.S. are exemplifying the benefits of conversion to sustainable campuses, we have reached a new low, receiving a D+ grade in all other areas of sustainability on campus. Astonishingly, UNL received the same grade the previous year.
There is an agreement that other universities have joined with to better the environment and climate, but unfortunately, UNL has yet to sign on.
Last year, a small group of students calling themselves the Campus Climate Coalition went door to door and spoke to classes campus wide, getting signatures to show the administration that UNL students and faculty support signing the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
The agreement calls for the creation of an institution-wide action plan to move toward climate neutrality, and schools are asked to initiate two or more concrete actions while the broader plan is developed. Such options include adopting green standards for buildings; requiring ENERGY STAR certification for products the university purchases; offsetting emissions due to air travel; purchasing energy from renewable sources; supporting climate and sustainability shareholder proposals through their endowment; and minimizing waste generated on campus. The group reached their signature goals, except for the chancellor's.
Even with the commendable job the current recycling staff (three people) do, there simply isn't enough manpower to handle the overwhelming volume of waste. This is especially apparent at Memorial Stadium after football games, where the greatest volumes of recyclables are thrown away after games.
A brave student group, Ecology Now!, took on the daunting task of trying to recycle as many bottles as possible after last weekend's game against Virginia Tech to help counter the lack of a recycling collection at the stadium. The game turned out to be a big letdown, and it took one glance for the handful of volunteers to realize how daunting a task recycling the stadium waste would be. It took until the wee hours of the morning to clear one section of plastic bottles. Not discouraged, the group plans to do it again this weekend after the Homecoming game.
In case you hadn't heard, Concordia University-Seward beat UNL to represent Nebraska in the President's Climate Commitment while we twiddled our thumbs. Now all 50 states are represented in the PCC, and UNL has yet to take action.
Since when has being last in anything been an acceptable route for UNL to take? The last time I can remember something as embarrassing as coming last at this school is when we finished last year's football season 5-7. Remember how we dealt with embarrassment on such a scale? We replaced staff and completely revamped our whole program.
UNL is more than a football institution. It is one of higher education and should be held to such standards. With the inception of Bo Pelini as new head coach, one can taste the anticipation and excitement saturating the state, let alone on campus.
Is it impossible to have such enthusiasm for as wholly beneficial a program as recycling or the President's Climate Commitment? Pelini's arrival proves that it is not. The football program of yesteryear is a prime example of how we can learn from our mistakes. A comprehensive recycling program at UNL needs to be enacted, plain and simple.
Students shouldn't have to lobby their college for adequate recycling, but in this rare case, it appears necessary. Let us pressure the administration to sign the President's Climate Commitment and to reinvigorate the recycling program as one of our first commitments. Help Ecology Now! recycle the stadium waste this weekend and sign the petition to support the PCC.
Brett Bogenrief is a junior biochemistry and chemistry major.
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