Keri McClure speaks about sustainability on the FSC campus

Keri McClure, who is part of the FSC recycling program, started a club on campus at the end of last semester that plans to take action to make our campus more sustainable. It was dubbed Students for a Sustainable Campus, or the "SSC". For anyone who is seeking a "greener" world, this is really something you should look into. I asked Keri a series of questions to give FSC students a bigger picture of how this club came about and where we plan to take it in the next few years. 


What has inspired you to become part of the green movement and your recycling program?
"I started recycling in the spring of my freshman year. I have always taken part in recycling, but never really appreciated its worth until I kind of started on my path towards Environmental Studies and really became much more conscious of my contributions to the world around me (or lack there of) when it comes to recycling. On the same note, I wanted what I did to contribute to the world, the spirit of conservation,and to inspire others with the same sense of integrity concerning their daily actions and their effect on the environment."

How does the student body react towards recycling?
"The reception we get from the campus community is give and take. Some days we hear from people who are really excited about the program and we see that people are very active in the program. On other days we get a hamburger in the bin or something along those line. That just kills the hope we have that people are really on board and just as excited about this program as we are.

Tutus is definitely our biggest contributor followed by JR and Spivey. We also get alot of paper from the religion building, communications, and advancement. I feel as though the staff at FSC is much more on board than the students are.

I think the sense of community that on campus students and staff feel is more complementary to a more active role in recycling. If students feel disconnected from the goal, they are less likely to feel an obligation to make the extra effort to recycle."


When did the SSC come about?
"SSC came about last spring with basically the same idea aforementioned in mind. I wanted more people to become aware of our program and lessen the disconnect. I wanted to start a green movement on campus. The facilities department and staff are very excited about becoming more green. Henry Haywood and Billy Hand have been behind me the whole way."


What are your goals for the SSC?
"Our goals are just to get out there and get established this year. I will graduate in the spring and must pass this group along to someone else next year. I would really love to have a big reception by the student by next year so that the SSC can present at Convocation. The major goals for my term are the reusable water bottle filling stations and the recycling competitions."

What are other colleges and universities doing?
"I learned what other colleges were doing at the Dupont Energy Conservation Conference. Oberlin College in Ohio is quickly moving completely off the gird. Other private colleges in our area are taking part in the Recyclemania competition, campus composting, community produce gardens, black out events (reduce electrical usage), and they have implemented the Presidents Climate Commitment in which they have initiated a climate action plan. One college started a community conservation core in which they helped provide energy conserving products to low income areas, installing energy saving light bulbs, for instance. And so much more!

We are behind, but we can get there and become not only the most beautiful, but the most green as well if we set our goal. The great sense of community that FSC has when directed towards a common goal is an amazing thing that can prove to be the foundation for change at this institution when it comes to sustainability."