1. How did Greeks Gone Green get its start?

Bland: Greeks Gone Green (GGG) was started by a group of determined Greeks who all shared a passion for the environment and the drive to create an organization that would bridge the gap between the environmental organizations on campus and the Greek community. Since the UC San Diego Greek system is comprised of so many active, energetic and committed leaders, we were able to combine the resourcefulness of our Greeks and the sustainability platform already set up by the environmental organizations on campus. Our main objective is to educate UC San Diego Greeks in order for them to live healthier and more sustainable lives. Our events combine social and environmental aspects, which make them not only fun but educational as well.

2. You attended UC San Diego, in part, because of the Environmental Systems Program. Tell me about your studies, your internship and your future goals.

Bland: I have been really impressed with the Environmental Systems Program (ESYS) here at UC San Diego. The flexibility of the major provides me with the opportunity to mold my classes around what I want to learn and also choose the classes I feel would help me the most in pursuing my career goal of becoming an environmental lawyer. Being an ESYS environmental policy major/economics minor, I was able to take all the required classes as well as add in classes from the political science department and from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I was also able to craft an environmental focus for my economics minor with classes that dealt with law and economics, environmental economics, public policy and ocean resources. 

The ESYS program’s senior internship project masterfully introduces its sudents to the real world. We earn UC San Diego credit, compile a major paper and presentation, gain experience to add to our résumé and learn what we want to do with our education. I was able to pick up a paid paralegal position at the Law Offices of O’Mara & Padilla working on environmental litigation. I am convinced that the knowledge and experience I am obtaining in the ESYS Program is simply invaluable for my future goals.

3. How have your studies and internship helped you with your role as President of Greeks Gone Green?

Bland: GGG could not have accomplished all it has since its founding in January 2008 without the dedication of all those who have helped it along the way. Being President of GGG, I have had the pleasure of working with many skilled and talented Greeks. My studies provided me with the passion needed to start up an environmental organization at one of the leading green universities in the nation. The classes I have taken and professors I have worked with have opened my eyes to the potential of an organization like GGG. The interest from the students and fellow Greeks was already there, we just needed an organization that could consolidate it in an efficient way.

The leadership roles that I took in Pi Kappa Alpha and my internship responsibilities provided me with the background to take on the management of such an organization. Looking back on everything that we accomplished in our first year, I am really impressed with everyone involved and with the steps we have taken to make GGG’s message and structure enticing enough for universities like San Diego State University and Bucknell to want to emulate our organization on their campuses.

4. Tell me about some of the Greeks Gone Green events, past and future.

Bland: Our first big event occurred in May 2008 when we partnered with San Diego Gas and Electric to host a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) exchange. We put the emphasis on inter-Greek competition in order to make it a fun event that would (hopefully) attract a large response. In the end, we succeeded in exchanging over 600 bulbs, saving over 30,000 watts of electricity for a year and over $6,000 in energy consumption.

Our second big event occurred during the New Member Service Week this last quarter when we held our California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) New Member Recycling Competition.  One hundred thirty Greeks representing 15 different chapters collected large bags of recycling for three-plus hours from trash cans in the dorms and around campus.  We partnered the event with a CPK fundraiser, in which we awarded the top fraternity and sorority with a free CPK dinner.

Next quarter we are looking forward to hosting a Green Dance Party, promoting and educating Greeks about the upcoming charter, The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), as well as holding additional service events starting in January.

5. Why is it important to you to get people involved in the “greening” of the campus?

Bland: It is important for everyone at UC San Diego to become involved in the environmental movement on campus because global climate change is one of the biggest problems facing our generation today. Little by little, each decision we make affects the environment around us, for better or for worse. GGG further enlightens students on these important issues and also makes the events and service opportunities fun enough so the average student, who wouldn’t normally attend an environmental service event, has a good time socializing with fellow Greeks and also picks up some helpful tips on how to live his/her life more sustainably.

In order to attract greater numbers of Greeks to our events, we created a Greek Award that will be presented to the top sorority and fraternity that has accumulated the most GGG “points” throughout the year. We award points for chapter participation at each event we host and sponsor, as well as award percentage points for how well their team/chapter did in the competitions. GGG also is attaching incentives to the service events such as awarding free CPK during our fundraiser for top teams and contributing 5 percent of the money raised to each chapter’s philanthropy based on their chapter turn-out. By holding events that educate students, and giving them opportunities to have fun and socialize at the same time, we hope to add enthusiasm and general turn out to all other UC San Diego “green” events.

6. Why is community service important to you?

Bland: I see community service as one of those things that everyone can do. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing what a group of selfless students can do for our UC San Diego community. By taking a few hours out of our lives, we can do so much to better the lives of others. Even if it’s just the little things, it all adds up in the end.

Fun Faves

Favorite place on campus: RIMAC

Favorite place on earth: My home back in Napa, Calif.

Favorite UCSD tradition/event:
(Old) Sun God

Favorite way to go green:
Recycle

Favorite class: Poli 162: Environmental Policy

Favorite hobby: Soccer

Favorite part of being a UC San Diego student: Having the opportunity to graduate with a rewarding degree from the 7th best public school in the nation.

 

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