'Sustainability' more than a word

By Ann Thomas

The word on the street is that Santa Clara will be rethinking and adding an environmental component to its mission statement.

Of course, being the "crunchy granola" person that I am, I think it is essential that our school strives to become more sustainable. Being just and humane, two goals of the institution, require sustainability.

But there are many questions that still need to be discussed before adding this component.

For example, what does sustainability mean?

Are we really ready to commit ourselves to not only becoming a more environmentally friendly institution, but also an equally conscious student body?

Is adding the buzzword "sustainability" to our mission just a "green-washing" tactic to make ourselves feel and look good, or are we actually going green?

Was last year's edition of the Santa Clara Magazine dedicated to sustainability part of a green public relations stunt?

The definition of sustainability is a complicated idea that is often overused and has broad-reaching meanings. It has been described as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations. However, measuring sustainability is quite difficult.

Another struggle the school will have is converging our dedication to technology with our dedication to sustainability.

Any institution of higher education, especially "The Jesuit university in Silicon Valley," is expected to invest in the latest technological resources. But it's important to take a good look at the "amazing" and "incredible" new library to see a few ways that this investment in technology could conflict with our goals toward sustainability.

For all of the energy that we might be saving in a well-designed, energy-efficient library, aren't we just using it up on hundreds of flat screens and outdoor heating units?

I am not trying to bash the incredible new facility, but it is important to keep in mind the consequences that these new perks have on the environment.

It is clear that students are becoming more interested in environmental issues -- an environmental studies/science major is one of the fastest growing majors at Santa Clara.

Yet, the Environmental Studies Institute has an estimated operating budget of under $20,000, which is less than two-thirds of one student's tuition. If the school is really committed to sustainability, it needs to start putting its money where its mouth is.

With all that said, Santa Clara as an institution is doing a relatively good job in the environmental realm. We have a sustainability coordinator and a recycling program, and the school has committed to constructing all new buildings in an environmentally friendly way.

But what about the students? Are students really committed to fashioning a more sustainable world?

This Tuesday, April 22, we will be celebrating Earth Day. Weather permitting, students will be frolicking outside the Benson patio and walking from booth to booth to see and partake in all the green activities.

However, at the same time we are celebrating the Earth outside on the lawn, there will be students inside Benson using take-out boxes and buying plastic water bottles, which could very well end up in the trash instead of the clearly marked recycling bins.

After this day of green fun, students will go back to their dorms, flip on their lights, turn on their computer or TV (if it isn't already on), and pull out a drink from their minifridge.

If we are truly going to be committed to a sustainable world, it is one thing to build green buildings and have recycling programs, but another thing altogether to educate and motivate the student population about environmental issues and create a culture of sustainability on campus.

If we do add sustainability to the mission statement, we need to acknowledge that this goal will constantly need to be evaluated, and standards for doing so should always be rising.

Ann Thomas is a senior political science major.