UNI presents ‘Green the Scene’ as part of Earth Week

This week, "Green the Scene," an initiative sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa College of Education, highlighted ways to go green on a smaller scale. Throughout the week, a series of brown-bag lunch sessions were held that offered information for individuals and professionals on using spring cleaning time to reduce, reuse and recycle.

The first session, on Monday, emphasized the importance of ergonomics and workplace safety measures when clearing clutter. According to university safety manager Wendel Reece, people need to prepare physically before taking on the challenge of spring cleaning.

"You see professional athletes stretch before a contest. However, how often do you see a regular worker warm up before stressful activity?" Reece asked. He encouraged lifting with one's legs rather than one's back as much as possible when moving heavy objects.

Tuesday's session focused on the role of fire safety in green spring cleaning. UNI fire and safety specialist Jason Kayser explained that "anything that might cause a fire to spread should be a major concern."

Kayser listed several key elements of fire safety, including keeping fire doors closed and stairwells clear, not plugging microwaves and other kitchen appliances into power strips, and making sure bulletin boards are used properly, not overloaded with paper.

Jack Geary, assistant manager of building services, presented "Green Cleaning" Wednesday. In the last of the brown-bag lunch sessions on Thursday, Kelly Stark, energy engineer at UNI, and Eric O'Brien, university sustainability coordinator, discussed "UNI's dedication to energy use as well as sustainability, the separate energy projects we have completed in the last year as well as in-progress (projects)," according to Stark.

Among the energy projects Stark mentioned are changing the lighting in various campus buildings and updating the heating and cooling systems in Maucker Union. Most of the projects will happen this summer. Aside from the projects, Stark and O'Brien talked about making a difference at UNI and at home by being conscious of one's energy consumption.

Through Friday at 3 p.m., containers for donating used textbooks will available in the SEC lobby and WRC room 206. University Book and Supply has partnered with the College of Education to help students get rid of old textbooks by passing them along to Bridge to Asia, a nonprofit organization that provides otherwise costly educational materials to classrooms in developing countries in Asia.

"Green the Scene" will conclude this weekend with "Super Saturday." Students, faculty and staff will gather in the SEC to "green clean" offices, storage rooms and public spaces.

For more information, contact Mary Herring, interim associate dean of the College of Education, at 273-2719 or mary.herring@uni.edu.