For a club with so much potential, there is one foreseeable problem for the environmentally conscious group Cougars for Change -- almost every member is a graduating senior, with no underclassmen successors. The current members urge younger students to join Cougars for Change to help the group continue to pursue visible, sustainable improvement in the community.
Senior member Rachel Roa doesn’t seem to be worried about the transition from cougars to cubs. “I’m not nervous because I know a lot of students want to be involved and it’s just difficult right now because of class schedules,” she said. “Now that a lot of people know about us, I don’t think it will be difficult to keep [the club] going.”
Club officers plan to keep the group busy this semester to continue their eco-conscious mission on campus, and also to attract potential members. “We hope that through our activities on campus and using resources like CougarCast and The Highlander we can get more people involved,” said Roa.
Cougars for Change is a group of MU movers and shakers. After attending a Mercy student leadership conference in 2008, MU’s nine representatives birthed the club to bring real change to the community. The group focused on environmental sustainability, including a project called “Trayless Tuesdays” in its first two years on campus. The project started as a weekly attempt to cut back not only on water wasted in cleaning the plastic trays, but also to bring awareness to the enormous food waste of 20 to 30 pounds in one lunch.
Trays have been removed from the cafeteria entirely, hopefully encouraging students to take only what they can consume and carry. Metz Corp. has also made some changes in the Cougars’ Den, presenting food choices in more environmentally friendly recyclable containers. Students are given the opportunity to purchase a reusable travel mug, the use of which rewards them with discounted beverages At the Intermezzo Café in the Sandy & Marlene Insalaco Hall. The Residence Hall Association has also started paper recycling in the dorms.
Cougars for Change participated in a nationwide event last March called “Earth Hour,” during which the entire campus was asked to turn off unnecessary electricity. Outdoor activities and games were planned during the temporary blackout. Other campus clubs, such as Peer Advocates who passed out glow in the dark bracelets, got involved as well.
“We went around the dorms to give out extra hot dogs, and there was one room full of about 20 guys. All the lights were off but they were crowded in front of one TV. ‘Sorry, the game is on!’ they said. I was surprised and happy they were participating at all!” said senior member and group leader Ashley Ballard.
“Earth Hour” will be held again this year in March, and Cougars for Change is looking for other student clubs and individuals to participate in any way they can. They are looking to make this year’s event even more successful than the first, and any participation helps.
Cougars for Change has made a big impact on MU’s campus, even though the group is a young organization. “Being a part of Cougars for Change is actually being able to see change” says senior member Rachel Roa.
For more information contact Ashley Ballard ballarda@misericordia.edu or Megan Baker at bakerm3@misericordia.edu
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