Administration moves to literally paint campus green
While some staff and students have raised concerns about the $30 million that the University of Guelph has invested in fossil fuels, the university administration is going ahead with a transparent publicity stunt meant to boost their green image. Already, solar panels have been installed on the roof of Raithby House, facing northward, away from the sun.When asked about the reasoning behind their positioning, vice-president of finance, Don O’Leary, responded that while there are plenty of flat roofs on campus that get more sunlight, this location was the most visible.
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Another recent project is the truck that drives around campus with the “Green Gryphon Initiative” logo painted on the side as a sort of mobile billboard to advertise the school’s growing concern for the environment. One student even noticed the driver of the truck toss a Nestlé water bottle out of the window to protest the controversial beverage company.
Furthermore, a fairly new bike shelter has been installed on campus that appears to have a plant or two growing on top. A green roof is a great idea, if you ignore the cost and amount of concrete and other resources required for construction. More importantly, green roofs are trendy, so Guelph just had to have one. Despite all of these initiatives, the U of G admin are not quite satisfied with their green efforts and want something even more visibly green.A plan put forward last year has been approved, so that starting in the spring, the exterior walls of MacKinnon, the UC, and the library are going to be painted a bright green, so that no one will be able to walk by without realizing how very green our school is.
When asked about concerns regarding the University’s large investment in fossil fuel companies, O’Leary responded, “Is that really what we should be concerned about? Look at how full the parking lots are. We should be focusing on how many students drive to school.”
Before the interviewer had a chance to respond, O’Leary quickly added, “Stupidsayswhat?” before hopping into the sidecar of an idling motorcycle and then driving away.
Photo courtesy of the University of Guelph