New class cleans campus, conserves dorm energy

11/25/08 - As of 2007 the University of Rhode Island has accumulated over 96,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This type of extreme CO2 emission has been linked to many serious environmental phenomena, such as global warming. However, URI has taken steps to help reduce its environmental impact, including the implementation of a new course, Honors Program 411, "Environmental Controversies."

The class focuses not only on helping URI become a "greener" campus, but allows students to engage in discussions about various environmental concerns solutions. "You get a perspective you wouldn't ordinarily get about the environment," HPR 411 student Kenny Critz said.

Besides focusing on a unique topic, the class is also distinct in that it does not include formal assignments, such as papers or exams. Instead, the students work on a class project that aims to benefit the URI campus and community as a whole.

"Not only do we learn a lot, but we have something to show for the class," said senior Nicole Heidt. "[It shows that] if you really put your mind into doing something you can." Senior Pia Peterson said.

"The hard part was getting started and taking initiative"

"However, once students began brainstorming concepts and finalizing ideas, they found that URI was willing to help make their plans a reality. "A lot of administration wanted to help," senior Nick O'Brien said.

One of their first projects was the URI Campus Cleanup Day on Nov. 7.

The HPR 411 students, along with 120 volunteers, met on the Quadrangle in the afternoon to pick up, sort and dispose of litter on campus.

"We sorted through all the litter to recycle the recyclables and get rid of the trash," Critz said. The students' efforts culminated in filling 36 bags of trash and 15 large recycling bins.

"Some people even came back with just recyclables," senior Ariana Darcy said. Among the average bottles and cans collected on campus was an assortment of trash, which included a bike, a workout bench, a cement model of a human, several mismatched shoes and many articles of clothing.

The class also discusses the problem of URI's carbon footprint and what students can do to help reduce the campus' environmental impact.

A carbon footprint is defined as "how much energy you consume," Peterson said. "[It is an] index of environmental friendliness" O'Brien said, which involves every aspect of daily consumption, from keeping a laptop on at night, to the car one drives, to using disposable cups instead of reusable ones.

"It's every decision you make and the impact on the environment," Stephanie Gregory said.

The group plans to help reduce URI's carbon footprint "through carpooling and the [dorm] energy contest," O'Brien said.

The "Rhody Goes Green Dorm Competition," which will be held during November, will measure which dorm can reduce its energy usage by the highest percentage.

This competition will help dorms the "channels to reduce energy usage compared to readings of the past year," senior Amy Diez said.

Students can make simple, everyday changes to reduce their dorm's energy usage. "Unplug things, take shorter showers, turn off the computer or lights," Heidt said. These efforts can not only help the university save money and reduce its impact on the environment, but it can help students save money.

As a reward for their efforts, the winning dorm will receive a free pizza party.

The group is also focused on a carpooling forum that will help address the problem of campus transportation, which accounts for 28 percent of URI's carbon emissions.

"Eighty-one percent of commuting students drive alone," Peterson said. The carpooling forum intends to reduce single drivers by helping commuters arrange rides back - and - forth to campus with students in the same or neighboring towns.