READER COMMENTARY: Eco-rep influence benefits campus
To the Editor:In light of the article "Despite flaws in programming, Eco-Reps benefit campus," (Forum, Oct. 27), we as current eco-reps just wanted to let you know what we're up to.
For the past couple of weeks, we've been in intensive training and are now armed with knowledge about environmental issues and peer education techniques, and we are ready to dedicate our time fully to engaging the student body. Here are a couple of projects we are working on and welcome you all to join.
Green Room: An environmentally friendly certification program aimed at commending those who are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and encouraging their peers to do the same. We are not only acknowledging current behaviors but also educatingstudents regarding alternative behaviors they may take.
Recycling Grades: Brandeis students in particular are responsive to grades! As eco-reps, we wanted to play on that sentiment, and thus we implemented a "recycling grade" program. In just one semester last year, recycling grades in East Quad improved from an average of C to A-, which is quite a significant jump. Recycling grades have been proven to work and get people thinking about what they put in a trash can.
While both of these initiatives seem simple, we've found that they are effective ways of reaching out to average Brandeis students and making them aware of their simply mundane behaviors and how these behaviors affect the world at large.
As always, we welcome questions, comments and concerns and are looking forward to meeting and working with you all.
-Aka Kovacikova '11
and Jenna Brofsky '10
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Justice.