by Tom Chambers
Staff Writer
Three thousand years ago, men built Stonehenge to measure the exact length of the vernal equinox. The significance of their measuring has transcended time, and today people all over the world measure the size of humanity’s heart during the equinox to celebrate Earth Day.
The University of La Verne will celebrate Earth Day during its own earth week beginning April 23. With the vernal equinox turning the corner of winter into spring, ULV has decided to take nature’s cue. The Associated Students Federation (ASF) Forum will host several activities designed to remind people that each individual is a trustee of the earth.
Earth Day, now a global holiday, was first celebrated on March 21, 1970, in the city of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology. A year earlier, a visionary named John McConnell made a proposal to the San Francisco board of supervisors to observe Earth Day. The proposal included that it be observed on the first day of spring. The board went ahead with approval and Mayor George Christopher issued the proclamation, which inaugurated the first Earth Day.
Since then, Earth Day has grown all over the world. In 1975, the U.S. Congress and President Gerald Ford proclaimed and urged observance of Earth Day. The idea continued to gain momentum throughout the world. Margaret Mead called Earth Day one of humanity’s great discoveries.
The momentum has landed and the discovery has begun at ULV with a week of activities for the student body.
Monday, ASF will be distributing an Earth Day newsletter with stories and artwork from students and faculty. This is intended to promote awareness in the student body about current earth issues.
On Tuesday, ASF will host a debate in the quad at 10:30 a.m., on “President Bush, The Enemy of the Eco-State.” After the debate, ASF and Davenport are offering a free commuter health conscious lunch. Other lunch options are available such as an In-and-Out double-double animal style.
Wednesday, ASF is targeting the ambitious with a hike into the La Verne foothills. Students interested in participating can sign up at the desk in the Student Center. The group plans to meet at the rock at 1:30 p.m. Drinks and food will be provided for those who hike.
In the evening students can cool off and relax with an environmental movie in La Fetra Hall at 7 p.m. Wednesday’s activities continue with a raffle after the movie.
Thursday closes the week with a night under the stars in Sneaky Park starting at 9 p.m. Students in attendance will be sang a lullaby by student band Mila-Bizu.
“Overall we are trying to create awareness of the relationship between the ULV community and mother earth,” said Michael Houdyshell, coordinator of campus activities and commuter programs.
ASF has also set up an advocacy committee undertaking a fair trade coffee campaign. The committee will be researching La Verne coffee vendor Seattle’s Best and the possibility of partaking in a fair trade coffee exchange with smaller farmers. Davenport, owned by Aramark, has other plans and is considering switching to Java City, a company they just purchased. Students are trying to negotiate terms between Aramark and a possible fair trade agreement.
“I think it is a positive thing that ASF has taken in interest in Earth Day. I’ve been here for many years and it seems like it has been overlooked in the past,” said senior Katherine Franklin.
With ASF taking on the task of informing students it is important to remember that our planet, capable of love, beauty and life; is being destroyed by ignorance, greed and waste.
