News

La Verne community celebrates Earth Day

Offering students a taste from the garden of earthly delights, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, along with other organizations, joined in the Earth Day celebration last Friday. / photo by Brian Murphy
Offering students a taste from the garden of earthly delights, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, along with other organizations, joined in the Earth Day celebration last Friday. / photo by Brian Murphy

by Christie Reed
Staff Writer

“Stop the Violence” is not only a phrase referring to the abuse to people, but also to the abuse of the planet Earth.

Twenty-five years ago last Saturday, a group of individuals reached an epiphany that if humans kept abusing the Earth at such an alarming and increasing rate, our planet would become uninhabitable. They brought up the moral question: Is that any way to treat a home that has welcomed life for billions of years?

Apparently there are still people that cannot stand by and watch human indulgence destroy the planet. Among those who care about Earth conservation are 24 on and off-campus clubs and organizations, along with participating ULV students, that emphasized the need to practice “Earth Day Every Day,” in the campus celebration last Friday.

The weather made it a perfect day for the outdoor celebration, which has been planned for the third consecutive year by Maria Lara of University Relations, Donna Camer­on, head of the public summer school program and ULV rideshare, and Craig Young, Environ­mental Club president.

The Science Department began the day’s events at 10 a.m. with the Greenhouse dedication by Dr. Harvey Good, professor of biology.

At the same time, fair participants began to set up their booths for the lunchtime crowd.

“This year, there was definitely more involvement by on and off campus clubs,” said Heidi Rudin, the ASF representative on the Earth Day committee.

Among the organizations that were either selling ‘earthy’ items or providing free information were Colors International, La Verne Recycling, the Resi­dent Hall Association and Circle K, the University of La Verne Bookshoppe, Le French Club, Pre-Health Club, ULV Honors Society, the National Coalition for Clean Air and many others.

A contest was held for the most creative booth and the Department of Natural and Physical Sciences won the $50 prize.

A free lunch was served courtesy of Davenport Dining Hall in the quad area. Picnic tables were set up and students enjoyed a lasagna or tofu burger lunch, while being informed on “returning to and protecting the Earth.”

Speakers included Young, Lara, Dr. Sheridan Merritt, professor of zoology, and Michele Di Francia, outreach coordinator for the National Coalition for Clean Air. Her non-profit organization strives to clean the air in the South Coast Basin while asking for college-level participation in the fight against pollution. She emphasized that California, especially Southern California, is the smog capital of the United States.

Di Francia stressed, “Students need to be active in their environment by reducing smog. They can carpool, take the bus or bike to school.”

Her presentation was followed by a raffle for donated items, such as gift certificates, CDs and gift ensembles by Natural Wonders.

Shortly following the raffle, Young presented the environmentally-conscious band, Bastard Lounge.

Their instrumental piece “Suburban Experiment” was written to encourage “mental contemplation,” and it appeared to initiate a reaction amongst the ULV audience.

Over to the side, students were crowding around the dunk tank, wandering around the booths, buying plants in Snapple bottles, picking up free flowers, teasing two large parrots, and trying various types of unique raw vegetables.

“I still felt apathy from the student body though,”said Young “It’s a shame since they don’t realize that it [preservation of the Earth] effects life as much as the financial aid funding that they rallied for.”

Christie Reed, Editor in Chief
Christie Reed
Other Stories
Brian Murphy
Other Stories
Previous article
Where am I?
Next article
LVPD faces allegations of harassment

Latest Stories

Related articles

Arts, Etc.

Latino Student Forum hosts night of cumbia

The Latino Student Forum hosted a “CumbiaLandia” event May 14 on Citrus Lawn. 
LV Life

CAB does merch spring cleaning

CAB hosted the event to allow anyone an opportunity to grab leftover merchandise from events throughout the school year.
News

Protesters object to University’s protest policy, lack of transparency

Lordsburg Liberation, a grassroots organization on campus aiming to unify the University through anti-imperialist activism, organized a walk out from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
LV Life

Earth Day event educates on environmental issues

The University held an Earth Day Fair on Wednesday at the Vista La Verne Courtyard and Citrus Lawn. The fair included free thrifting, live music, eco-friendly crafts, food and drinks.