Hi! My name is Ian Spink. I have been a resident assistant at Indiana University South Bend River Crossing Campus Apartments for three semesters. Before that, I was an ordinary resident for two.
This year, I have been acting as the leader for the Gaia Sustainability Learning Community. My main goal in this role has been to build up the sustainability culture on campus as well as to encourage and empower my fellow learning community members to do the same. Having been around River Crossing for a decent amount of time, I came into this job knowing some of my most difficult challenges.
My neighbors pay a flat fee to live in River Crossing. No matter how much energy and water they save, they will not pay a dime less for utilities. Motivation via monetary compensation is thrown out the window.
I know that the conveniently located grocer across the street seems much farther away in the cold or heat. Many times, my friends pass me in their vehicles as I brave the winter’s bite only to have me pass them at the stoplight. Shortly after, I see many more people leave with their collective nutrients stuffed in flimsy plastic bags rather than the sturdier, reusable sacks I almost always remember to bring.
Outside, the snow blesses us with its ephemeral presence. Two years ago, this was not the case. The snow accumulated by the foot, leaving us to navigate our way to class through the network of trenches orchestrated by the maintenance crews. I know in my bones that something is wrong, but all is not gloom and doom. The quickly approaching spring will bring rebirth and a wealth of opportunity. Before then, however, there is much work to be done.
The campus garden boasts eighteen beds, twice as many as we had a year ago. Perhaps a closer source of fresh fruit and vegetables will encourage my peers to use less fuel, both for their automobiles and food containers. Until then, I will continue to trudge to the store with my trusty totes. Reusable bags are so much cooler than plastic, anyway.
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