Published on Monday, April 21, 2008

NIU dorms need action not magazine covers

By LETTER WRITER

In response to the “NIU’s next top models get fierce” article published in Thursday’s Northern Star, while the environmental message that Northern’s Next Top Model is attempting to promote is wonderful, Housing and Dining should be doing more than just putting someone on the cover of a magazine for good PR.

Housing and Dining Services has been resistant to environmentally directed efforts for years. The Committee for the Preservation of Wildlife has been pressuring Housing and Dining to remove polystyrene take-out containers and cups from its locations for years with some, but little progress. CPW had provided student surveys showing support for green alternatives to polystyrene, has had numerous meetings with Housing and Dining director, Ralph Chaplin, and written numerous letters to the editor. The most environmentally progressive action Housing and Dining has taken is a trial period of having biodegradable containers. Polystyrene is not only detrimental to the environment and the wildlife on campus, but it is also suspect to many health issues. As a non-biodegradable product, the most environmentally friendly thing Housing and Dining can do is to get this stuff off our campus!

In addition, Avon products are not what most would consider an environmentally friendly award. Cosmetic companies such as Aveda, The Body Shop and Urban Decay would be a much more environmentally sound choice, as all three make the environment a top priority within their companies, as well as offer “green” products.

Visit the NIU Students for a Polystyrene Free Campus or Committee for the Preservation of Wildlife groups on Facebook for more information.

Jericho Winter
Graduate student, geography