By Helen Ventura
Contributing Writer
The Student Government Association (SGA) is starting off the year by sponsoring campus cleanups in order to help out both the community and campus.
“Maintenance does the best job they can do to pick up the campus, but sometimes it is simply too much area to cover,” Robin Hurlburt, associate director of facilities for maintenance, told Clifford.
Clifford feels these cleanups are important for the campus.
“These cleanups make the campus look better and also help the maintenance staff out,” Clifford said. “I think they are doing a wonderful job keeping our campus looking beautiful, but we are on 500 acres of land so I think they can use all the help they can get.”
Clifford said the First-Year Service Program did similar cleanups last year, but it focused on the area by the railroad tracks and the area where Bonaventure Square will be. This year he would like to focus more on the campus.
The campus cleanup event welcomes the entire community.
“The more the merrier,” Clifford said.
At the next SGA meeting, a signup sheet will be passed out for those who are interested in helping. Anyone else who would like to help out should contact the executive board members whose office is located in RC 3.
The cleanups are scheduled during weekend afternoons, “so people can’t use the excuse of wanting to sleep in,” said Clifford.
The SGA hopes for a large turnout of participants for the campus cleanup. As of now, the SGA has cleanups planned for the rest of the semester. It would like to continue the cleanups next semester as well, but that depends on participation this semester, said Clifford.
The SGA will provide garbage bags, gloves, rakes and anything else that is needed for the cleanup.
“It is part of the Franciscan values to give back to our community which includes not only the Allegany and Olean area but the St. Bonaventure campus too,” Clifford stated.
Every student can help out even he or she does not attend by making sure he or she uses the garbage cans on campus, said Clifford.
Clifford also suggested holding each other accountable.
“If you see someone littering, call them out on it. This is our home, and we should be respectful toward it,” he said.
