Coming from an area that has very severe water shortages, where the law restricts days and times when residents and businesses can use water outside to do things like water plants or wash cars, it has shocked and angered me in recent weeks to see the University watering plants and lawns in full daylight. Watering during the heat of the day simply does not make sense; it is a huge waste of resources, both physical and financial. Because of the effects of evaporation, it takes significantly more water to irrigate during the day and achieve the same effect as it would to water at night or in the morning. The University should look into switching watering times and finding alternative methods of irrigation such as rain barrels or timed sprinkler systems. This is a cost-effective and common sense move. Being environmentally friendly is not limited to simply recycling or composting. As the University observes Earth Week, I invite students, faculty, staff and other members of our community to help pressure our administration and Facilities Management to adapt changes that will lessen the University's environmental impact and benefit us all.
Will Feeney\nSARC II