LSU Campus Sustainability and Student Government held the first Keep LSU Beautiful cleanup of the year on Saturday.
Campus Sustainability is an affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, a statewide litter-removal effort.
SG assists in organizing monthly cleanups on campus. For this month’s cleanup, participants set out to tackle areas near the UREC and LSU Lakes.
Chemical engineering junior Gabreyela Gonzalez is the coordinator of Campus Affairs and Sustainability for SG. She said that SG decided to begin cleaning around the UREC, LSU Lakes and Sorority Row because Facility Services cleans those areas less frequently than places closer to the center of campus.
She added that the cleanup had a good turnout: 57 students came to participate.
Krishawndalyn Clark, a political science freshman, showed up early Saturday morning to clean up campus with her friends Parker Jackson and J’Kaira Claiborne. She said they started by the lakes but ended up venturing to Fraternity Row where there was a lot of trash.
Clark said she and her friends have hearts for service.
“Plus, we just really felt like we saw a problem on campus with a lot of littering and pollution,” she said. “So we wanted to go ahead and be the good that we want to see in the world and clean it up directly.”
Parker Jackson, a public relations freshman, said she and her friends have volunteered in multiple community service events but that this is their first time picking up trash.
“But this is our first of many,” Clark added. “We definitely want to come back.”
Claiborne, a pre-vet freshman, said participating in this cleanup was a good way to start her and her friends’ day.
“Start off the day serving the community,” Claiborne said. “Is that not the best way to start the day or what?”
Molly Bozell, a political communications freshman, also participated in the cleanup. She said she heard about the event from her sorority’s community service chair and thought it would be fun to help.
“I think that this campus provides us with so much, and the least we can do is give back to it in a small way like picking up trash,” Bozell said. “Plus, it’s just fun, and it’s so beautiful today. Get outside; go with your friends.”
Gonzalez said that Student Government will hold another cleanup during Geaux Big Baton Rouge later this spring.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful has different chapters for most cities and universities. Gonzalez said she initiated Keep Zachary Beautiful when she was in high school about four years ago. Many Zachary High seniors participate in Keep Zachary Beautiful to earn community service hours.
Gonzalez added that participating in Keep LSU Beautiful cleanups would benefit students pursuing LSU’s Engaged Citizen Program Medal, an award that honors LSU students who participate in outstanding community service.
She also explained that many of Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s chapters work together. For example, the organization’s Baker, Zachary and Baton Rouge chapters will have a cleanup during the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 14.
Gonzalez encourages students to participate in these cleanups and get involved in something bigger than oneself.
“Even if it is not our trash, whether you are living on campus or off campus, it does not matter where you are,” she said. “You can always make a change somewhere.”
