Shoals Symphony 1B Oct. 9, 2014
Volume 83, Issue 8
www.FlorAla.net
sp Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama
G GREEN
ENVIRONMENT
Campus leads Florence recycling NATALIE BEE
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UNA is a big player when it comes to recycling in Florence. As the city’s top contributor, the university has recycled more than 21 tons of paper this year. “Because some items are collected by the city from a variety of Florence businesses, it is not possible to track the amount collected from each location,� said Florence Recycling Coordinator Rachel Mansell. “The 43,000 pounds UNA has sent does not include the cardboard recycling, shredded paper recycling and special event recycling, Mansell said. “It’s really not a full, accurate number. That’s just what has been brought in on trucks from the university.� Some myths about the university’s recycling program have surfaced across campus through the years.
“One of the biggest misconceptions students have is that (Facilities Administration and Planning) throws away our recycling,� said McKenzie Martin, coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure Center. Martin said sometimes food and drinks that are thrown in the bins contaminate the recyclables. “At that point it can no longer be recycled, and it has to go in the trash,� she said. Mansell said the recyclables are sorted by hand — all materials need to be clean when they come into the center. Junior Danialle Crooks said he has not heard any rumors of UNA throwing away recyclables, and he has noticed numerous bins on campus. “I actually know of one organization on campus who has placed recycling bins throughout the classrooms in Stevens Hall,� Crooks said. He also said he believes recycling is important, and
when he has the opportunity to recycle instead of throwing recyclables in the trash, he does. “Everyone is recycling more these days,� said Florence Director of Solid Waste and Recycling David Koonce. “UNA is looking for ways to do better, and we’ve been working with them.� Mansell said because UNA is a state agency, it is mandated to recycle at least 25 percent of its trash each year. There is no cost to the university associated with recycling at the Florence center. All the recycling bins are provided for free thanks to a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, she said. The recycling center sells the majority of its recyclables to local industries that use them to make products and save money, Junior Kelsey Woodman throws a plastic bag into an on-campus Mansell said.
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recycle can. Florence Recycling Coordinator Rachel Mansell said UNA is the city’s biggest recycling contributor. photo by KATLYN SHANNON I Staff Photographer
SECURITY
Thornell: Safety of campus community is top priority ASHLEY REMKUS
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Officials announced the university would close today, Oct. 9, at their executive council meeting Oct. 6. The decision was made in response to a threat written in the secondfloor men’s bathroom of Collier Library Sept. 26. The threat included four
INSIDE
this week’s paper
people will die Oct. 9. A second writing, found in the on-campus parking deck elevator, included R.I.P. Mike Brown and the date Oct. 9, authorities said. “Our focus is ensuring the safety of everyone on campus,� said Interim University President John Thornell. “Having a two-day fall break hardly causes us to compromise our academic standards.�
NEWS . . . . . . . . 2A PHOTO ESSAY . . . 4A VIEWPOINTS . . . . 7A
The problem administrators face is canceling classes does not solve the problem because some students remain on campus, Thornell said. Only essential staff members will attend work today, as the residence halls remain open for students who chose to stay for the long fall break weekend. “Canceling classes limits the number of possible targets,� said UNA Police Chief Bob Pastula.
LIFE . . . . . . . . . 1B SPORTS . . . . . . . 5B EXTRA . . . . . . . . 8B
“We would cut the number by probably 80 percent.� To combat the threat, increased security has been implemented, said Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields. “We had extra officers put on immediately, we had extra precautions taken in the residence halls, we had extra folks being vigilant throughout the weekend, and extra patrols
were done at off-campus apartment sites,� Shields said. “(We did) everything we could think of to provide extra security to react to this in an appropriate way.� Pastula said armed police officers guard campus today, as other forces to help with security.
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QUARTERBACK TAG TEAM ...5B
Please recycle your paper.