by Sarah McCall ’26 on January 28, 2026

---

Opinion

---

Happy spring semester! I hope everyone had a restful break and a good start to the semester. I know that I usually keep my ed columns pretty silly and focus on whatever my current random thoughts are, but unfortunately, due to the state of the world, I have had less time to think about these trivial things. As a white college student, I hold a significant amount of privilege in this country, which protects me from having to face most of the cruelty happening around us. However, that does not mean that this cruelty does not exist. Every day, we hear more and more stories of children being ripped apart from their parents, children being used as bait by law enforcement, people being shot and killed for disagreeing with the government, and people being racially profiled and detained. The world we are living in is not normal, and it is completely inhumane. 

I graduate in May, and at this point, I should be concerned about where I will get a job, but instead, I am worried about the state of our country. The federal government has completely locked the state of Minnesota out of the investigation into the murder of Alex Pretti. The Trump Administration is pushing a narrative that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who murdered Reneé Good and Pretti were acting out of self defense, which is actively disputed by both the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis, as well as by countless witnesses. The administration of President Donald Trump is consolidating the authority of government to the federal level, discouraging independent thought and media, using brute force against citizens, and tearing apart communities. I feel immense outrage at what the administration has done and most likely will continue to do. There have been countless anti-ICE protests throughout the country, including many in Providence and Rhode Island. There is a protest at the Rhode Island State House on Friday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m., and I encourage everyone to attend and make their voices heard.

America is a nation of immigrants, and our country, just like any other, is unable to function without immigration. Our country is also not able to function when thousands of hardworking members of American society are inhumanely ripped from their communities. Or if the federal government continues to undermine the legal and judicial systems that form the basis of our democratic society. Or if government officials attempt to radicalize the population into hatred of different demographics. Or if people are murdered in broad daylight by a militarized police force. I can only imagine where our country is headed and what else is happening behind closed doors. 

As I approach the end of my college career, I am hopeful for the opportunities I may encounter, but I am also reflecting on the treatment of members of my community. With that, I wish everyone a good rest of the semester and a better world for all.

by Rachel Barter ’27 on October 30, 2025

---

Opinion

---

I know it is not a popular opinion to have, but Halloween is my least favorite holiday, and it has lost its magic for me.

I don’t like Halloween, probably because I am cut off from trick-or-treating, which was my favorite part of the holiday. However, I also think it is due to the increasingly elaborate expectations of Halloween costumes, especially in college. I feel like there is pressure to create original and elaborate individual costumes or even group costumes. Thus, without trick-or-treating and creative ideas, I often feel at a loss for how to celebrate Halloween every year. 

This is all without mentioning that Halloween in college is associated with excessive drinking, which seems to be heightened at Providence College. Furthermore, even if I had good Halloween ideas or even a couple of bad ones, there is a lot of pressure at PC to have a different costume for every Halloween festivity, especially for women, which adds up.

Despite my ill-will towards Halloween, which has been festering for quite some time, I want to rediscover the beauty of Halloween while I am still in college, given the importance placed on Halloween during this time. Perhaps next year I will dip my toes in the Halloween pond by carving a pumpkin, who knows where I will display its rotting carcass after, and roasting the seeds as well as using the “guts” to make homemade pumpkin goods. 

Maybe I will bake those classic pumpkin chocolate cookies and pass them out to my friends like reverse trick-or-treating, or perhaps I will have an epiphany about what creative or boring costume I should wear using mostly clothes that I already have. 

Or maybe I will continue to celebrate Halloween in the most lackluster ways, such as eating Halloween-branded candy, taking advantage of holiday goodies (especially pumpkin ones), or admiring fall-scented candles in store aisles. 

Realistically, I will visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo during their fall and Halloween-inspired events, such as their Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, which gives me just enough of my Halloween fix.

by Ava Stringer ’28 on October 23, 2025

---

Opinion

---

There’s always a duo in a trio.

Triple dorms are the definition of unnecessary chaos: cramped, loud, and awkward. The math isn’t adding up. These rooms are built for two, yet somehow, we’re squeezing in three and pretending it’s “community living.” It’s like trying to have a dinner party in a broom closet and calling it “intimate.”

You can feel the tension before the semester even begins. There’s always an odd one out. Don’t even get me started on when it’s two friends and a random roommate. Two strangers, a communal bathroom down the hall, and barely any floor space? That’s a social experiment, not housing.

Let’s talk about the dimensions. Freshman triple rooms average around 15 by 13 feet, which is roughly the size of a one-car garage, except with three beds, three desks, and three sets of everything else. Sophomore triples aren’t much better, averaging the size of a small studio apartment cut in half. And let’s not forget, we’re paying upward of ten thousand dollars a year for the privilege of living in a glorified shoebox.

What better way to stress out new students than to confine them to a space smaller than most people’s bedrooms, all while they’re learning to live away from home for the first time? The college talks endlessly about wellness, community, and adjusting to campus life, but how’s anyone supposed to “find themselves” when there’s literally nowhere to stand?

Providence College can do better. Triples aren’t a solution to overcrowding; they’re a shortcut that makes students pay the price for poor planning. Everyone deserves a room that feels like a home, not a closet with three beds. At the very least, hand out noise-canceling headphones and emotional support water bottles on move-in day.

Triples might build character, but so does surviving a natural disaster. Neither of those should be a part of the “college experience.” If it is, hazard pay seems reasonable.

by Courtney Wight ’26 on October 23, 2025

---

Opinion

---

Connecting To Our Community & Beyond

One of my favorite things about coming to Providence College was the ability to use public transportation to explore the city of Providence. My freshman year orientation leader was very passionate about the Rhode Island Public Transport Authority (RIPTA) and made sure to tell us all about the benefits of using the public transportation offered to explore areas throughout Rhode Island. I’ve been using the RIPTA for all four of my years at PC. Whether it is just a trip to the mall or going to Shaw’s, the RIPTA is easy to use and, best of all, free. 

I acknowledge the system is not without its flaws. There have been frustrating days where I end up calling an Uber since buses can be delayed, leaving me waiting, or buses run too ahead of schedule that I miss. However, despite these misfortunes, the RIPTA has been extremely beneficial and useful during my time at PC.

Public transportation systems, like the RIPTA, have many added benefits rather than using a car all the time. Public transportation reduces the carbon footprint of each individual, reduces congestion and traffic, and promotes safer travel. Public transportation reduces the number of cars on the road, which leads to less air pollution, reduced individual carbon footprints, and less traffic. Additionally, when I am on the bus, I don’t have to worry about knowing where I’m going or the other drivers on the road. I wait for my stop to be announced, pull the yellow cord, and I can leave at my destination. The best part about using the RIPTA as a PC student is that the RIPTA is free for all with a PC ID. Even for those who are not PC students, public transportation is cheaper than using and owning a car. This allows more accessibility to those of all income levels to move around the city and state, creating a better-connected and serviced community.

While Rhode Island has a decent public transportation system, nothing compares to the public transportation systems I’ve had the benefit of experiencing when traveling abroad. For example, during my freshman year, I went on the Honors Spring Break trip to Paris. For most of our travels, we used the Metro since there was a stop close to our hotel. Using the system, we could navigate the city effectively, and it was relatively simple to use once you got the hang of it. Also through PC, I went to South Korea on a Maymester trip. On the trip, we stayed in Seoul and Busan, which are on opposite sides of the country. Instead of driving, we took the bullet train across, and it was the most amazing experience. The train ride took about two and a half hours to travel over 200 miles. Compared to the U.S., this would be roughly the same distance between Boston and NYC. This drive would normally take over four hours (with minimal traffic), but using high-speed bullet trains reduced the travel to two and a half hours.

One of my favorite things when traveling or discovering a new place is to use their public transportation. I’m not saying never drive a car again (I like my car too!), but having the freedom to quickly walk to a train or bus station, hop on, and arrive on time at my desired location is a must!

by Kaelynd Brouillette ’29 on October 23, 2025

---

News - Campus

---

If you have scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately or turned on the news, you’ve probably seen the panic surrounding the current government shutdown. Personally, I was scared. When I heard the shutdown was actually happening, I was worried about my flight home. Was it going to be cancelled or delayed? Should I get to the airport extra early in case the TSA takes forever? On Oct. 9, I flew out of Logan International in Boston to Syracuse, NY, and business was operating as normal. TSA took 10 minutes, and my flight took off on time. I prepared for the absolute worst going in there, but I was surprised by the relatively normal experience. After all,  TSA workers and air traffic controllers are federal employees who are affected by the shutdown. The situation left me thinking that maybe this is what America feels like right now—everything looks normal on the outside, but beneath, our system is cracking. That realization made me wonder how much the people around me actually understand what’s going on, not just at the airport, but across the country. To find this information out, I sent out a student-run survey regarding Providence College students’ perceptions of the shutdown. 

PC students’ reactions show how younger generations perceive government dysfunctions from the outside looking in. While most aren’t directly affected, many recognize the shutdown as a symptom of deeper political failure. Their voices reveal both frustration with leaders and a desire for better civic understanding, as only 14.8 percent of PC student respondents said they felt truly informed about the shutdown. Most reported that they get their news from social media, such as TikTok and Instagram, with only some getting it directly from well-known news sources. This highlights a broader issue: young people are surrounded by political content on every platform, and lack context or real, trustworthy explanations. Social media, although helpful in some capacity, is not an entirely reliable source of information regarding obtaining facts on the current state of our government, containing often biased and heavily skewed “information.” 

I also found it interesting that 52 percent of respondents said they were not personally affected by the shutdown in any capacity, and 74.1 percent said they only felt somewhat connected to the events happening in D.C., although several cited indirect consequences, such as their family and ROTC members being furloughed, as well as some stating they did experience TSA/flight struggles. This data makes it clear that students see through political dysfunction, yet struggle to feel connected to government processes. It is important to note that although we, as a generation, find it difficult to feel impacted by national government events such as this shutdown, we recognize the implications of it and see that it has real-world effects in society. One anonymous student stated, “We feel isolated in our own little world when we’re on campus, but there’s so much going on around us that is important to learn.” This quote really stuck with me because it holds true that when we are on campus, we do feel like we’re in our own little world, and although there are such frightening government events happening in our country, we don’t feel affected by them. Therefore, it is incredibly important that college students make any effort to learn about and care about the current state of the government. Although we don’t feel the direct effects, our society as a whole is facing the consequences. 

Through my collection of data, students also made it clear that the shutdown is not a good look for our government, with 74.1 percent of respondents saying that this has changed the way they see our government and its leaders for the worse. Two anonymous students expressed frustration with the way our administration is handling the shutdown, stating “The propaganda that has been plastered all over official government websites, calling this a ‘Democrat shutdown’ has worsened my feelings towards the Trump Administration,” with another stating “Misinformation and the control of news and media I feel is at an all time high attempting to divide the country with Democrat versus Republican without being genuine to the inherent ideals of the parties.” These responses reflect bipartisan frustration, as students are annoyed with the rhetoric on both sides of the aisle, and, from what I have gathered, believe it is important for both sides to work together to solve the bigger issue at hand. 

While many Americans view the shutdown as a distant political event, federal employees are experiencing a direct disruption of their livelihoods. I conducted an interview with an Environmental Project Manager who has worked for the federal government for 10 years now, and he gave us an inside glimpse as to what the work environment is currently like. He describes his frustration with seeing “highly respected people in their fields,” being scientists and engineers, labeled to be nonessential by “people unfamiliar with their work.” This label, he explains, is “demeaning to someone who takes pride in the work they do.” For these workers, it’s not just about a paycheck, but rather being told their contribution to society suddenly does not matter. The shutdown reduces public service to a checklist of expendability, reflecting a broader cultural disregard for labor that does not produce an immediate political or financial gain. When asked about the overall morale in his workplace, he stated, “Disruptions such as this shut down and callous decision making created a negative environment locally and I’m sure through the federal workforce.” Imagine going to work knowing your role is “essential,” yet your paycheck is suspended and some of your colleagues have been determined “nonessential.” This situation therefore corrodes morale and creates resentment towards leadership that appears indifferent to human cost. The government relies on the expertise of people like him to keep important systems running, but refuses to compensate him for his contributions in real time. He notes that essential workers must “adapt, find a solution and press forward” despite missing staff support and resources, showing that it is adaptability and the quiet resilience of people like him that keep the country functioning even when Congress does not. It’s a stark reminder that the strength of our institutions lies not in the politicians who run them, but in the ordinary professionals who continue to do their jobs day in and day out despite being furloughed. His words reveal the human face of government dysfunction and the emotional labor carried by workers unseen by the public. Shutdowns are often discussed in terms of cost per day or economic impact, but the true cost is personal: pride diminished, morale broken, and trust in leadership eroded. The story of this one federal employee becomes a mirror for a much larger truth, being that America’s “nonessential” workers are often the ones most essential to its stability. The government shutdown is therefore not just a budgetary failure, but a profound human failure, one that exposes the gap between political rhetoric and the lived reality of those keeping the country running.

Just like the airport seemed to be functioning normally, in my case at least, despite the chaos behind the scenes, so too does America, as we continue to move forward during this shutdown. Even in states of complete dysfunction, daily life goes on because of the people who choose to let it, such as our TSA agents, the National Guard, and environmental project managers. Make no mistake, the shutdown is a serious reflection of a larger failure within our government and its leaders, as well as political stubbornness and polarization. It reveals how fragile our systems can be when struggles for power on both sides outweigh public service. Yet, despite all of this, I still believe in the strength of our system. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is resilient, as it bends under pressure yet does not break. The American system has always found a way to adapt to change, and I believe it will again—not because of the politicians in D.C., but because of the people who keep it running. As students, citizens, voters, and future leaders, it is our responsibility to pay attention, to learn, to question, and to care about the government that shapes our daily lives, although we may not directly feel it. Understanding what’s happening beyond campus is the first step in ensuring the next generation leads with more empathy and accountability. The government may falter, but its people never do. Students, workers, and citizens together prove that America’s system, though strained, will always endure.

by Emma Cody on October 23, 2025

---

Letters to the Editor

---

A Letter to the Editors by Local Assembly Members

The federal government could have fixed the gaps in traditional government-run Medicare and created an improved Medicare for All single-payer program, but instead, it paid private middlemen billions to offer Medicare Advantage plans.

Seniors were lured into buying heavily advertised, “cheaper,” heavily subsidized Medicare Advantage plans while the private corporations that offered these plans saw their profits soar. 

Unfortunately, costs, utilization, and oversight increased, and corporations began abandoning these once lucrative plans—and the seniors who relied on them.

In Rhode Island, UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans stopped covering patients who seek care at four major Rhode Island hospitals in July. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island recently told about 275 of its own retirees that it would no longer offer them a subsidized Medicare Advantage group plan.

Clearly, this abandonment is yet more evidence that we cannot allow private corporate middlemen (“payers”) who stand between patients and providers to manage health insurance. 

Studies have found they impose 15–20 percent administrative costs, compared to traditional Medicare, which has about two percent.

Every other industrialized nation has a single-payer system and pays half per capita what the U.S. pays, and gets universal coverage, better health outcomes, and doctors who do not get burnt out spending hours a day on insurance paperwork and “prior authorizations.”

It’s time to move to an improved Medicare for All single-payer system.

Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol)
Sen. Samuel W. Bell (D-Dist. Five, Providence)
Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. Seven, Providence)
Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket)

by Rachel Barter ’27 on October 23, 2025

---

News - Campus

---

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Protecting & Supporting Our Fellow Friars

As a person who has friends and family members who have been survivors of domestic violence, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a very important month full of reflection and education, which is not often enough brought to the forefront. The goal and purpose of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence, encourage support of survivors, honor victims, and, perhaps most importantly, mobilize people to take action to prevent it. By raising public consciousness of domestic violence, Domestic Violence Awareness Month encourages people to get involved, support preventative legislation, and build communities where everyone feels safe. Similar to Mental Health Awareness Month, which is also observed in October, the month-long observance helps to bring this often-silenced issue into the open and to empower survivors to seek safety and support. 

In the U.S., “an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner… more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.” Additionally, more than “one in three women (35.6 percent) and one in four men (28.5 percent) in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.”  

Given that around 30 percent of men and women in the U.S. have experienced domestic violence during their lifetime, Domestic Violence Awareness Month should not be taken lightly and should be used as a stepping stone for taking action against domestic violence, rather than a pit stop on our journeys throughout the year. Domestic violence does not cease during the other 11 months of the year, so it is very important to utilize Domestic Violence Awareness Month as a consciousness-raising tool, but not to let our efforts stop there.

As demonstrated by the statistics above, no person is disconnected from the effects and experiences of domestic violence, whether we have personally experienced it or are connected to other people who have or are currently experiencing domestic violence. We are all connected to domestic violence in one way or another, and if you are someone who has not experienced or interacted with domestic violence, then we have an obligation to take action against domestic violence and the broader interpersonal violence; survivors should not be perceived as responsible for fixing a society and an issue that they were violated and discriminated against by. However, survivors and victims of domestic violence should be the very people using their unique personal experiences to guide the actions against domestic violence because they are the only people who have comprehensive knowledge about how to protect themselves and others.

Recognizing the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and taking action is also particularly relevant for us as college students when considering the following statistics about domestic violence for teens and young adults: about one in 12 experienced physical dating violence, about one in 10 experienced sexual dating violence, and 33 percent of teens who were in an abusive relationship ever told anyone about the abuse. Additionally, it is important to highlight that certain marginalized groups are more at risk than others, including female students, students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and students of color, which points to a larger societal discrimination.

Lastly, I want to discuss how we can do our part to help take action against domestic violence and support survivors. One of the most important things to remember is that it is never the victim’s fault that they experienced domestic violence, and we should not be using any language or acting in such a way that explicitly states or implies it; for example, we should not ask the survivors questions like, “Why didn’t you leave sooner?”, “Why didn’t you report it sooner?”, “Why didn’t you just say no?”,  “What were you wearing?” or “You were drunk.” Such lines of questioning are all too common today, especially regarding female college students, yet they are so damaging and hurtful to victims, considering one of the greatest barriers to seeking help and reporting abuse is the victim feeling they are to blame for what has happened to them. Therefore, when people speak or behave in a way that reinforces this feeling of self-blame, the impact of the abuse may be greater, leading to a longer recovery. Instead, we want to be there for them and let the survivors tell us what they want/need from us so that we can best support them without taking charge of how they want to begin taking action against it or begin the never-ending journey or “healing.”

As Dr. Driessen, an Assistant Professor of the Social Work Department and an Affiliated Faculty with the Women’s and Gender Studies Department, states, “PC is a place where community is so important to our values. We can all draw upon the strength of this community, such as being part of the Friar Family, to break the silence, debunk stigma, remind each other that you are never alone, and encouragement of just how powerful and impactful a nonjudgmental, listening, and empathetic presence can be.”

Overall, we are responsible for educating ourselves on domestic violence and doing our best to support ourselves or the people around us who have experienced domestic violence. We cannot ignore the important and life-threatening issue that the month of October reminds us about every year, and we need to carry this momentum with us throughout the rest of the year by treating survivors with dignity and respect, as well as looking out for your fellow Friars and neighbors to keep everyone safe. “And remember that there are many resources for everyone on campus, including the opportunity to speak to a confidential victim advocate to learn more about resources, rights, and processes.”

by Sarah McCall ’26 on October 23, 2025

---

Editor's Column

---

Hi again Cowl readers. We took a week off, so I hope you didn’t miss us too much. My thoughts this week are still about the future, so I will try to stray from the existential and focus more on the random things I have been thinking about. I just finished another book, and I decided to revive (start actually using) my Goodreads account. I would let you all follow, but I probably will forget about it again. I just started A Little Life, and I have heard mixed reviews, but I am enjoying it so far. I still have approximately 600 pages left, so it will be a while before I can update Goodreads anyway. I may start adding my books for class to Goodreads in the meantime, but also probably not. 

I am so excited that SNL is back! I have a few thoughts about this season, but a 500-word limit, so I will list them with no explanation. I miss Ego Nwodim, I don’t like Jane Wickline, I think that Jeremy Culhane will be one of the best on the cast, I am so happy Andrew Dismukes is in every sketch, and Weekend Update has, and will always be, the best part of each episode. I haven’t been watching much TV, but I have been deep into YouTube. I am still obsessed with Gabby Windey, Matt and Bowen, Quen Blackwell, and Caleb Hearon. I have also been listening to a ton of Lorde.

I also am so happy that it is fall and I can break out my sweaters. The only issue with that is I got a new sweater this summer and unfortunately I have to wear it every day, so the rest of my sweaters remain in my closet (what they said about me back in high school). I want to get more sweaters soon, so maybe you will find me in a different outfit for once (probably not). Speaking of clothes, finding a dress for Senior Ring Weekend has been horrific. I have gone through every mini dress on every website and have not liked a single one. Not sure what to do about that, but at the end of the day, it is not my circus nor my monkeys. I do have a new signature scent though! Counting my blessings.

Right now I am figuring out postgrad plans and scared out of my mind, but I am trying to remember to live in the moment and celebrate the little things that are keeping me going. Enjoy the fall in Providence and give yourself space to let go a little. Talk soon.

by Courtney Wight ’26 on October 9, 2025

---

Opinion

---

As October rolls around and fall begins, I get excited about all of the fun activities to do in the upcoming months. Fall’s best holiday, Halloween, is always one of my favorite times of the year as people get together to celebrate and let loose with a variety of creative costumes. My mom still has most of our childhood Halloween costumes in the basement, just in case we ever need them. However, now many people are planning multiple costumes and buying brand new items for each outfit, which they never intend to wear again.

This issue with Halloween costumes highlights the more serious underlying problem of fast fashion. A majority of clothing companies have shifted from creating quality products to producing cheaper and poorer quality items to hop onto trends before they change. Fast fashion is extremely bad for a variety of reasons, including from an environmental standpoint and a labor rights perspective.

The fashion industry as a whole is responsible for roughly 10 percent of global carbon emissions. From 2000–2014, clothing production doubled, with these problems continuously getting worse, resulting in over 90 million tons of textile waste every year. Additionally, fast fashion clothing is bought with the intention of wearing it a few times before discarding it; therefore, less than 1 percent of fashion textiles are recycled and many of these items end up in landfills.

To combat this growing issue, governments have started to propose potential solutions to minimize the negative impacts. France has been the first major nation to acknowledge fast fashion as a major issue and enact legislation to penalize companies for selling fast fashion. Additionally, the state of New York has proposed legislation to attack the other main con of fast fashion, which is exploitative labor conditions. The proposed bill would require clothing companies to disclose their supply chain in an effort to encourage companies to use properly sourced labor and reduce their excess waste in the supply chain.

Nonetheless, legislation can’t change everything. Ultimately, it is up to consumers to better educate themselves on the impacts of their actions. Social media has created a culture of constant consumption of goods, including clothing, leaving many feeling a constant need to buy and shop more. With the rising costs of necessities and a potential for a recession, consumers need to avoid falling for micro-trends and purchasing cheap, poorly made clothing that they will only wear twice.

Now, I’m not saying don’t have more than one costume, or not to buy clothes online anymore. I just ask that students take a second thought before buying more things online. Are there fun costumes you can do from pieces you already own? Do you have any existing items, either at home or from your friends, that you can wear instead of buying something new? Can you and your friends take a trip to the thrift store or Spirit Halloween to buy items in person, instead of online? Small changes like these matter, and it is necessary to change our mindsets regarding fast fashion for real progress to be made.

by Courtney Wight ’26 on October 2, 2025

---

Opinion

---

The Ever Complicated Question

Recycling is extremely important on campus, and all students should know how to properly recycle. It is disheartening to take my recycling down to the trash room and see that our recycling bins are absolutely disgusting and full of non-recyclable items. I understand not everyone may know how to recycle, but that’s okay! College is a place to learn, grow, and develop skills that will be used for the rest of your lives. Therefore, Providence College must emphasize recycling education to ensure the students who graduate from PC enter the world with the knowledge of how to live sustainably.

Recycling is simple and boils down to one rule: when in doubt, throw it out. If there is ever something that may or may not be recyclable, just throw it out. The contamination of recycling is detrimental, as all the properly recycled items may have to be discarded. Contamination is costing Rhode Island taxpayers, as the rejected loads of recycling have a fee of $20 per rejected ton and a maximum of $250 per load for the city or town where the load originated. Contaminated loads risk the overall operation, as there is a chance of equipment breaking due to the improper materials entering the recycling machines. While Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC)—the main organization that handles recycling within the state of Rhode Island—admits its equipment needs an upgrade, that does not change the need for recycling education across the state.

I have witnessed numerous instances on campus where students are confused about whether or not their items are recyclable. One case I frequently see is a half-full or almost finished Dunkin’ or Starbucks plastic drink cup. If the student deposits their cup into the recycling bin, it can contaminate all the other items in the recycling bin since the liquid inside will likely leak. To be properly recycled, all plastic containers must be emptied and rinsed before being placed in the recycling bin. In this case, to prevent contaminating the entire bin, a person should engage in the previous rule by throwing out their plastic cups.

Another recycling mistake I see many fellow students make is forgetting to break down cardboard. Cardboard is one of the easiest things to recycle, but many students fail at the final step. All cardboard must be broken down before it can be recycled. I have seen numerous recycling bins full in the trash room, simply because there are a couple of cardboard boxes that haven’t been broken down. Breaking down cardboard is an easy step that goes a long way to make sure the recycling is properly done and to make our trash rooms cleaner by reducing the likelihood of the recycling overflowing.

Finally, PC needs to promote the multipurpose recycling area located in Lower Slavin by Dunkin’. For example, there is a specific place to dispose of batteries since it is hazardous to throw them away with regular trash. This is a serious safety concern, and more needs to be done to educate students so they can enter the world with the necessary knowledge to not only live sustainably, but also safely.

I believe PC needs to do more to educate incoming students since they are least set in their ways and most willing to learn new habits. PC should mandate proper and updated signage regarding the recycling policies on campus, especially since recycling policies vary. Furthermore, all students living on campus should have a recycling bin in their dorms. I know this is not always the case; therefore, all students should know that if there is no recycling bin, students can put in a work order and Physical Plant will supply them with one.

I know many students across campus who want to do their part, learn to improve our campus, and keep it safe. However, without mass-scale initiatives pushed by the administration, widespread change is not possible. As a member of ECOPC for over three years now, we have tried to push recycling to be included in Freshman Orientation, yet we have not received the proper support to make this a reality. In my final year at PC, I will continue to educate others about proper recycling, but without the support of the administration, I am not confident the change I want to see is possible.