Alexandra Phelps | Contributing Writer
For four years, the Green Campus Initiative at Florida International University has fought to reduce unnecessary single-use plastics on school grounds.
By collaborating with the Honors College, Student Government Association, Office of University Sustainability, and Panther Dining—along with state programs such as the Plastics-Free Initiative Florida and Florida PIRG Campus Action—GCI was quickly successful in their endeavor.
In a matter of months, the changes urged by this initiative, cleverly referred to as “Plastics If You Ask,” went into effect on campus. To encourage student use of reusables, this success meant that non-essential plastic straws, bags or utensils were no longer to be offered, except upon request.
Inspiring such growth takes a village. Or a very tight-knit club.
“I think it’s really important that everyone stays connected and works together as a community, or else nothing is going to happen,” GCI President Pooja Lad said. “There’s so much value in getting these unique perspectives from different people and different majors with different sorts of interests all coming together with one shared goal: trying to make the world a better place.”
To get this input from all angles, starting fall, interested students will be given the option to be a part of three different committees inside the club: Environmental Politics & Legislation, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Science & Research, ensuring that members can help in whichever way they deem best for them. And of course, non-committal participants are welcome just the same.
“You don’t have to be, like, super official to be a part of the projects we’re doing or anything like that,” Lad shared. “It’s very much: when you’re available, we’d love your help. Whenever you can make the time, any sort of effort counts with what we’re doing.”
Baylee Holcomb (left) and Caroline Barrabes (right) take part in Debris Free Oceans’ community cleanup for World Water Day | Nikkita Cheriel
To include the broader FIU community in making itself greener, GCI holds a variety of events with various levels of engagement. Some directly benefit the environment, such as hands-on cleanups of the Biscayne Bay campus, while others are used to simply motivate students to become more eco-conscious, like a pot painting party to encourage gardening.
“What we’re trying to do is promote sustainability across FIU through different ways, whether it’s recycling or making your house a little greener,” GCI’s Co-Outreach Director for the past semester, Caroline Barrabes, said. “You can make an impact in any way that you can think of.”
GCI even sells plants to fundraise, planting the seed for a new green thumb with each purchase.
However, the organization’s current focus is on more than passing out pots. Its agenda is packed with plans for butterfly gardens across the Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
Results of a GCI painting event where all contributed rocks are promised to be added to MMC’s butterfly gardens | Ashley Bryan
With the club currently anticipating three locations to be developed across school grounds, these collections of native flowers are intended to support all kinds of South Florida’s pretty pollinators. To install these spots, much teamwork will be needed—student participation, close contact with FIU faculty and services, etc.—and with the circle GCI has created for itself, it may be smooth sailing from the start.
“It’s all about creating a culture—getting everyone else involved and into being more sustainable, especially at FIU,” said Marianela Lobaina Hassan, a Co-Garden Lead, not only referring to designing the butterfly gardens on campus but also the role of educating students on how to care for plants in their own homes. “I love how wonderfully FIU takes care of their plants. It’s a beautiful campus, it’s something that I’m a huge fan of. And GCI, I would like to say, also plays a part in making sure that FIU stays that way.”
To those wanting to help GCI keep its campuses beautiful, it’s important to note that the club is fully funded by the Honors College and does not limit its admittance to Honors students.
“We’re very open to any and everyone who wants to apply,” Lad offered. “Doesn’t matter what major you are, whether you’re Honors College associated or not, if you’re a freshman or a senior, everyone is welcome to join. We’re honestly just looking for passionate individuals. If we see that you really care about making an environmental change like us, then you’re more than welcome to join in any capacity you would like.”
With the initiative opening E-board positions in the fall, the time to get GCI on student radars is now.
“It’s a club that I’ve always found to be very considerate of others and considerate of the floor that you walk on—the grass that is next to you every single day,” Hassan said. “It’s just all about bonding over your shared love of considering something greater than yourself. Just caring about the climate and caring about the FIU community and space as a whole.”
About Post Author
