Spring Break
Cleanup takes trash out for OSU campus
Saturday campus-wide garbage collection effort finds more trash, success than anticipated
Tim Pfarr
Issue date: 5/14/07 Section: News
Those who took a stroll on campus Saturday morning may have noticed several individuals with plastic gloves and trash bags collecting filth from the ground. No, they weren't scavenging, they were serving the community.
The Oregon State University Campus Cleanup took place Saturday morning, with students and community members alike joining together to assist in the effort.
"We're trying to give something back to the community," said Travis McGowan, co-organizer of the event and member of the Weatherford Hall Council. "We're focusing on trash pick-up and restoration projects."
The event began at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Union Quad, providing water, trail mix, cookies and stickers before the three cleanup teams departed to separate sides of campus with rakes and trash bags to begin working.
"It's going pretty well," said sophomore in biology Allison McNamara midway through the morning. "There have been a couple big things and lots of little things."
Near the end of the cleanup, McNamara assisted in retrieving an empty beer can from the end of a tree branch.
But students weren't the only ones helping to give back to the Corvallis community Saturday.
"I'm impressed with how clean the campus is," said Jill Sisson, 53, who volunteered to help out.
She recalls one of the more peculiar things she collected, a black and red ladybug magnet.
During the two-hour event, the teams collected an estimated total of 250 to 300 pounds of trash, which was placed primarily in a dumpster outside Gilkey Hall.
Before disbanding for the afternoon, those who participated took a group picture with their findings.
"There were a lot of people there," said Tiffany Karby, a sophomore in general science. "I would do it again."
The cleanup crew worked on more parts of the campus then expected.
"We covered more of the campus than originally planned, which is always a positive outcome," said Rebecca Busch, co-organizer of the cleanup. "Every time you start something new, there is always something to be learned and the opportunity to improve the event in the future.
"Discussion is already in process for our campus cleanup next spring. We are hoping to gain more involvement from groups on campus and possibly have some type of raffle for volunteers."
The cleanup was sponsored by Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism, a non-profit organization which focuses on cleanup, beautification and enhancement projects throughout Oregon.
The Oregon State University Campus Cleanup took place Saturday morning, with students and community members alike joining together to assist in the effort.
"We're trying to give something back to the community," said Travis McGowan, co-organizer of the event and member of the Weatherford Hall Council. "We're focusing on trash pick-up and restoration projects."
The event began at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Union Quad, providing water, trail mix, cookies and stickers before the three cleanup teams departed to separate sides of campus with rakes and trash bags to begin working.
"It's going pretty well," said sophomore in biology Allison McNamara midway through the morning. "There have been a couple big things and lots of little things."
Near the end of the cleanup, McNamara assisted in retrieving an empty beer can from the end of a tree branch.
But students weren't the only ones helping to give back to the Corvallis community Saturday.
"I'm impressed with how clean the campus is," said Jill Sisson, 53, who volunteered to help out.
She recalls one of the more peculiar things she collected, a black and red ladybug magnet.
During the two-hour event, the teams collected an estimated total of 250 to 300 pounds of trash, which was placed primarily in a dumpster outside Gilkey Hall.
Before disbanding for the afternoon, those who participated took a group picture with their findings.
"There were a lot of people there," said Tiffany Karby, a sophomore in general science. "I would do it again."
The cleanup crew worked on more parts of the campus then expected.
"We covered more of the campus than originally planned, which is always a positive outcome," said Rebecca Busch, co-organizer of the cleanup. "Every time you start something new, there is always something to be learned and the opportunity to improve the event in the future.
"Discussion is already in process for our campus cleanup next spring. We are hoping to gain more involvement from groups on campus and possibly have some type of raffle for volunteers."
The cleanup was sponsored by Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism, a non-profit organization which focuses on cleanup, beautification and enhancement projects throughout Oregon.
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