Everyone on campus is invited to wear green when Westfield State College observes national Campus Sustainability Day with a campus-wide “Green Fair” to draw attention to issues of environmental sustainability and global warming. The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Ely Campus Center Main Lounge.
“Our Green Fair will be both informational and fun,” said Trudy Knowles, professor of education, a co-organizer of the college’s activities. “The fair is intended to raise consciousness about the very real environmental issues that we are facing today and to suggest practical things that students can do to make a difference. We’re encouraging everyone to wear green to campus that day to be eligible for eco-prizes.”
For its Green Fair, Westfield State’s student organizations and academic departments will create informative displays about environmental issues and their own efforts to promote sustainability. The student public interest research group MassPIRG, for example, will make hot cider from solar panels. Participants are asked to bring their own mugs, rather than using disposable cups. Other snacks at the fair will be made from local produce.
Two area businesses are supporting the college’s efforts. Columbia Manufacturing Inc. of Westfield is donating a bicycle as a raffle prize. Raffle tickets for the bike will be given to anyone who makes a pledge to adopt a new “green” behavior. Big Y World Class Market, a regional supermarket chain, has donated 400 reusable green grocery bags for students and employees with the aim of reducing their use of plastic bags.
The college also will give away reusable water bottles inscribed with the slogan “think green,” to discourage the use of purchased water bottles on campus.
At 11:00 a.m., Maloney will give welcoming remarks including reference to Westfield State’s participation in the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. By signing the commitment, Maloney led Westfield State to join over 330 colleges and universities nationwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to institute an action plan within two years for becoming “climate neutral.”
Westfield State already is taking major steps to save energy and recycle, Maloney said. These efforts include participation in a shared Energy Savings Program that resulted in $1 million in savings over the past nine years. The college also uses biodiesel fuel for its truck fleet, and four hybrid vehicles for transportation on college business. Campus computer labs have an “auto shut-off” feature to reduce electricity consumption. Bathrooms have been retro-fitted with low-flow facilities. Families were advised to pack with reusable containers rather than cardboard when moving students into residence halls at the beginning of the year.
“Westfield State is joining a nationwide higher education effort to ingrain principles of sustainability into campus culture and curricula,” said Robert E. Thompson, director of the Environmental Center at the college and co-organizer of the college’s Green Fair. “We’re making great strides in working with the community as well, through the Environmental Center’s partnerships with regional groups like the Westfield River Watershed Association, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and The Nature Conservancy.”
Westfield State is the only college in New England to offer a bachelor’s degree in regional planning. It also offers majors in biology and environmental science.
Also as part of the Green Fair, at noon the college will present a national Campus Sustainability Day webcast, "Building a Durable Future: Community, the Campus, and Deep Economy,” sponsored by SCUP.
“Westfield State’s strategic plan calls for an increased investment in sustainability,” said Maloney. “We are hoping that this day will be a kick-off to a full year of events that will help us reach our goals.”
