USC competes in commuter challenge

This fall, competition between colleges will extend beyond the football field, and students will have the opportunity to save the earth in the process.

USC is one of many colleges and universities across the nation to participate in the Fall Nationwide Commuter Challenge. The program kicked off Oct. 1 and lasts until the end of the month. USC is competing against University of Kentucky, University of Texas at Austin, Oregon State and Penn State, among others.

The goal of the challenge is to educate and encourage students, faculty and staff to take alternative methods of transportation to campus in order to reduce  carbon emissions from personal vehicles.

Commuter Challenges, the group that organized the initiative, held its first nationwide Fall Campus Challenge in 2008. It was a success, with 2,000 participants who saved 230,031 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Suggestions for cutting down on carbon emissions include setting up carpools, taking public transportation or walking or biking to campus. Alternative methods of transportation can help students spend less money, too.

“My friends and I always try to ride in big groups wherever we go out,” said Jordan Harper, a second-year music education student. “We do this because it not only saves us all money, but it’s also a good way to cut down on pollution even if it is by a minimal amount.”

First-year business student Lindsay Dunn said that cutting back on driving is a good way to save money.

“I walk to class because not only does it save time since you don’t have to find a parking space, but it also saves gas,” Dunn said. “As a college student, money is always limited, so cutting back on using gas is a great way to save money and help the environment.”

To sign up for the second-annual Fall Campus Commuter Challenge, visit www.commuterchallenges.com and click on the link at the top of the page to sign up. Once you become a member, use the Commuter Log to track how much CO2 you are saving by using alternative methods of transportation.
Every time a student uses some form of alternative transportation, he or she can earn points for the University’s team.

 

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