Month: January 2015

Welcome Back!

I hope you all enjoyed the winter break, and are as excited as I am to be back for the spring semester. Now that we are living in dorms again, we must continue to think about what we can do to protect the environment, and follow the ideals which resulted in a successful EcoMadness month in the fall.

Every single dorm is equipped with recycling bins situated on either all floors or the ground floor for convenience. It is important not only to recycle items such as cans, bottles, and paper, but to aim to reduce your total waste production. Just by switching from disposable water bottles to a reusable bottle, you can eliminate a significant amount of plastic waste. Not to mention, this can save you money in the long run. On the subject of recycling, UConn also provides bins to recycle electronic waste, such as ink cartridges and cell phones. These can be found in the Student Union, Co-op, and Homer Babbidge Library.

Stop The DropThere are also efforts that can be made in order to conserve water while living in dorms. By taking faster showers and washing clothes in one large load rather than multiple smaller ones, we can all save an incredible amount of water and energy. It is especially important to report all leaks and dripping faucets to Residential Life in order to “Stop the Drop.” This is a simple act that can prevent unnecessary water loss.

There are so many effortless ways to conserve energy and water, and save the environment. Make it a goal to turn off lights when you leave the room and unplug electronics when not in use. Now that we are back at UConn for the spring semester, it is of even greater importance that we contribute in any way that we can. Because we attend a university that puts the utmost effort into protecting the environment, we have no excuse not to.

-Christen Bellucci

Meet Christen!

Hello everyone!

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My name is Christen Bellucci, and I recently joined the intern staff at the Office of Environmental Policy. I am a freshman majoring in biology, quite undecided about what career path I would like to pursue. I have explored opportunities such as marine science, medicine, and teaching, all which touch upon my many interests and strengths. I am anxious to determine a clear direction; however, I have lots of time to experiment with these options.

Prior to coming to the University of Connecticut, I attended Hampton Bays High School on Long Island, New York, and graduated top of my class. It was there that I realized my love for math and science, as well as an unanticipated passion for painting after creating a mural within the school. My closest friends refer to me as the “mom,” and I have been told that I don’t have a mean bone in my body. I believe that this is quite an exaggeration; however, I strive to be kind, honest, and reliable every day.

I care deeply about the environment, and am incredibly proud that the university I attend goes to such great lengths to protect it. I am especially honored and thankful to now be a small part of this, and am excited to see what the future holds.