Faulkner University

by Kelly Dix

The Faulkner campus is blessed with an abundance of the trees, green spaces and landscapes that evoke the experience of walking through a park rather than a modern university. However, at the start of the fall 2008 semester, the University determined not to merely admire the green on campus; the University determined to permanently add the shade as a new school color. As a result, Faulkner has commenced efforts to "go green" with the intent of reducing the school's impact on the environment.
Going green isn't just about recycling and tree-hugging. A green policy is about being more efficient with the earth's resources and reducing waste. Dr. Heath Willingham, assistant professor of counseling and green committee chair states that the University's interest in going green springs from a care for God's environment. "Part of being a Christian is about taking care of our blessings," he says.
A green policy is in line with God's plan for caring for the earth as seen in Genesis. After his creation, God entrusts Adam with the responsibility for the earth and all its inhabitants. In exchange for man's responsibility, God provides him with the abundance of the earth's plants and animals for food. As God rules over all, humanity imitates Him by ruling over all else. Man takes care of the earth and should benefit from its fruitfulness without wasting is blessings.
One step Faulkner is taking towards good earth stewardship is maintaining a recycling plan. At this time, there are collection bins for paper and cardboard products. The library also collects used ink cartridges. Plans are in effect to place recycling containers all over campus for aluminum, paper, plastic and other commonly recycled items. These containers will be maintained by green committee volunteers and interested students.
Faulkner is working to conserve water and electricity too. The cafeteria has gone "trayless," removing the food trays to reduce food waste and to cut back on the water it takes to wash them. "In the cafeteria, waste of food has decreased by about 7 percent," says Dusty Kozak, manager of the Multiplex Grille and member of the green committee. "We can tell that the dish machine is running less without the trays and the soap needed to wash [them] has decreased as well."
Additionally, during the two-week Christmas break, electricity was cut off in unused areas on campus including two men's dorms, the top two floors of Harris Hall, and in several other buildings not in use. With the amount of electricity used to keep state-of-the-art buildings running, it made sense to give them a break, too.
These efforts are dependent upon the support of individuals. The green committee is composed entirely of volunteers who are interested in reducing Faulkner's impact on the environment. Gwen Chapman, Burton Dorm supervisor and green committee volunteer states, "We are a group of people who want to change and take responsibility for our earth and are determined to research, ask questions, and do everything in our power to help our school start doing a better job of taking care of this 'green ball' we call home."
One step at a time, the University will reduce waste as she makes the most out of the resources with which she has been blessed.