When Loyola Disrespects the Grass

Loyola Sustainability Committee works

Bob+Thomas%2C+holds+signs+that+will+be+featured+around+Loyolas+campus.+The+Loyola+Sustainability+Committee+urges+people+to+use+the+sidewalks+to+protect+the+grass.

Bob Thomas, holds signs that will be featured around Loyola’s campus. The Loyola Sustainability Committee urges people to use the sidewalks to protect the grass.

Taylor Galmiche

The Loyola Sustainability Committee is not happy with the walking paths obstructing the campus green space.

Rundown pathways are beginning to present themselves across Loyola’s once-green landscape.

The committee is concerned with how these paths will effect the university aesthetically and financially.

According to Bob Thomas, chairman of the Loyola Sustainability Committee, it cost $3,500 for the sod in the Palm Court.

In the past, the committee has placed signs on the lawn in hopes of reducing these footprints.

The signs were stolen shortly after their placement.

Thomas thinks that the thievery could be due to the sign’s phrasing.

“The signs actually said, ‘Respect the Grass.’ You can just imagine that those are placed up in some students dorm room.”

Since then, the Sustainability Committee has designed a new sign design, free of allusions to illicit drugs.

The signs will say: “We’re all here to grow, including the lawns. Please use the sidewalk.”

Last fall, history senior Cayla Kelton saw a WFF worker, Lionel, sitting alone in the Orleans Room. She joined him and the two quickly became friends. Kelton’s views of the grass changed when she learned that it is Lionel’s responsibility maintain Loyola’s Landscape.

“I know him personally now … whenever I see people walking on the grass I get very upset and offended because people are taking care of that,” said Kelton.

Lionel told Kelton that his job requires long summer hours with few breaks.

“Actual humans are working to make this campus look beautiful, and you’re going to keep walking on it and taking that for granted?” questioned Kelton.