Earth Day!

Submitted by Jenn Thorpe, Director of Residence Life, Chestnut Hill College

When the weather gets nice it is hard to stay focused, especially if you have to spend most of your time in doors. It’s natural to get a little antsy towards the end of the academic year especially when that sun is shining brightly. Who wouldn’t rather be playing Frisbee or relaxing outside than sitting in a classroom?

Earth Day is celebrated in the month of April. In honor of Earth Day and to celebrate our residents need to get outside, I encourage you to engage your residents in purposeful fun activity, to enjoy the great outdoors and to show appreciation for our globe. Here are some ideas:

Clean up campus-Go around campus and clean up trash and pick-up cigarette butts.

Plant a tree-or flowers…get permission to plant more on your campus, perhaps near your residence hall. Have your residents make clay stones or sign a rock to dedicate the new greens. This can easily become a tradition.

Walk!-Stop those campus shuttles for a day and reduce emissions in the air. Have water stops along pathways to thank those using their feet and not carbon!

Go Canvas-Buy yards of canvas material and make bags that can be used for purchases in the bookstore or your campus café. Students can decorate their own bag and use it instead of those plastic bags.

Recycle-Not just aluminum, but “stuff”. Have an end of semester yard sale so residents can reduce trash and swap items. Shoes, clothes, that desk lamp…your trash may be someone’s recycled treasure. Donate what doesn’t get traded.

About the Author

Jennifer Thorpe is currently the Director of Residence Life at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia . She has been a residence life professional for 14 years, spending most of it living amongst college students. She recently finished serving as President of the Mid-Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers, which has been a highlight in her career. Jenn earned her Bachelor’s degree in History at Rosemont College and her Master’s Degree in Counseling/Student Personnel from Shippensburg University.

Jenn’s favorite part about being in residence life is the staff. Working with student and graduate staff has been her motivation and whom she has learned the most from. Jenn believes that these are some of the best years of your life. “You don’t always get to do them over again so enjoy your college years. More importantly, being an RA is one of the greatest experiences you can ever have, so take advantage of all there is to learn, accept the challenges and most of all, enjoy it.”

She enjoys being involved in other campus activities, such as campus ministry and also serves as the advisor to the drama club. Off campus, she enjoys her family and friends, quilts, plays co-ed softball and assists in the management of the Zachary G. Wallace Fund, in memory of her nephew.