黑洞社区

The Green Group is making plans for a greener campus during its second year at 黑洞社区.

According to Jennifer Subero, vice president of outreach for the student organization, the Green Group鈥檚 goal is to educate people about green issues on campus and promote awareness of how students can be more environmentally responsible.

鈥淲e encourage responsibility in how our members communicate the importance of green living,鈥� said Rich Reed, founder and former president of the Green Group. 鈥淓very student I talk to understands that green issues are important and each has their own area of concern.鈥�

Whether it鈥檚 recycling, global warming or alternative fuels, Reed said students are aware, and they are concerned.

鈥淥ur task is to find events and programs that connect with their existing interest in green issues,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd provide them with information and ways to act on their concern.鈥�

The group is working on many projects, but Subero said a main issue is the remodeling of current campus recycling bins.

鈥淲e are working on getting approval to make the bins more visible,鈥� she said.

The group also uses a display case in Hubbard Hall to educate people about the positive impact of recycling.

Last November, the group held a small recycling contest on America Recycles Day for whichever department or organization collected the most paper, aluminum cans and No. 1 and No. 2 plastics.

This winter another competition will be held, and all Greek houses will be competing with a general bin for students.

鈥淭he prize for the winner is still a surprise,鈥� said Holly Jackson, vice president of internal communications. 鈥淏ut it promises to be a good one.鈥�

Reed said recycling helps the university not only by saving money on trash fees, but also by bringing in extra revenue.

Recycling also helps reduce littering and saves landfill space.
One of the largest events the group is working on is Greenfest, which ran for the first time last April. Another Greenfest is in the works for the upcoming spring semester.

鈥淭he purpose was to increase the focus on green issues beyond Earth Day,鈥� Reed said.

For Greenfest, auto vendors were invited to showcase their biodiesel and hybrid vehicles. The organization also showed 鈥淩evolution Green,鈥� a biodiesel film, and an alternative energy panel discussion was held after the film.

The group held a Green Filmfest the week of Nov. 10. Titles selected for the film fest include 鈥淭he Story of Stuff鈥� and 鈥淭he End of Suburbia.鈥�

A new venture for the Green Group, with the support of local groups and citizens, is an Off-the-Grid concert, where electricity and natural gas won鈥檛 be used.

If the bands need power, Reed said, it will come from an on-site solar panel or wind generator.

鈥淭here will be a wide variety of local musicians and a ton of environmentally friendly activities,鈥� Jackson said.

She said she strives to take advantage of every opportunity to tell others about ways they can benefit their shared planet.

鈥淲e鈥檙e small,鈥� she said of the organization. 鈥淏ut we have great ambitions, and soon we鈥檒l have the strength to reach our goals.鈥�

For more information, go to the group Web site at or e-mail wsugreengroup@wichita.edu.