The Power of Name

by CHRISTINE STODDARD Illustration by Marleigh Culver

That is the third time you've heard the alarm clock ring this morning. Or maybe that was your car alarm? Remember you parked it out on the street instead of in the garage because there were no spots left at 2 a.m.? You roll out of bed wearing your work uniform from the day before, take a two minute shower, and shove a slice of old pizza down your throat. “Mildly refreshed” would have described your bodily state a week ago—the last time you took a full-on, scrub everywhere type shower. Now you need to find the keys you borrowed from your roommate because you lost your set at a party and can't afford to buy a replacement, so now the two of you have calculated this bizarrely mathematical trade-off to ensure that neither of you ends up locked-out. Also remember to bring in your pay-as-yougo cellphone in case the loan sharks call again. Oh, and don't forget to pack thirty pounds of textbooks and half-completed homework into your secondhand backpack. Class, of course, started fifteen minutes ago. Overwhelmed yet? Congrats! You're playing the Game of Public University Life... and losing. Like many. Like most. Heck, like almost every single one of us. How are we supposed to graduate with a “marketable” double-major and minor, debt-free, in four years without failing to take care ourselves? How are we supposed to have close friends, pursue romantic relationships, and spend time with our families? And what about making time to explore Richmond while we're still in this city? The answer is simple: we don't. The wiser of us compromise. Octopi may have eight arms, but they know better than to grab everything at once. Choose one major, or graduate late if earning more than one major really matters to you. Shop at thrift stores. Buy your groceries with specific meals in mind so you eat healthier foods. Look for an additional roommate to cut down on rent. Judge where a relationship's headed early on and ask if that's where you want it to go. Carpool. Research internships to see which companies will give you the most relevant experience. There are many ways to win this game— and it doesn't have to involve wearing dirty socks.

by DANIELLE HARVEY Graphics by Dominic Butchello

I’m sure you’ve all heard why we should be environmentally conscious and go “green”. Going green is important because we can reduce pollution, preserve natural resources, and reverse climate change. Not to mention we have the chance to ensure a better future for our children. But why should you care? VCU is a part of the city and this type of atmosphere produces more pollution because of factories and vehicles. So we need to work towards reducing our carbon footprint and turn to environmentally friendly transportation. The best aspect about this solution is that it’s easy and everyone can contribute to making the planet a better place for us all. There are already a lot of students at VCU who ride their bicycles and walk to various places on campus. However, students might not realize that the GRTC buses can take you almost anywhere around Richmond. Not only does riding the bus save you gas money or a lengthy walk but it can also help the environment because each individual won’t be emitting carbon dioxide by driving his or her car. GRTC buses run in Richmond, Henrico County, and even out to a small area of Chesterfield County. If you’re looking to travel to Fredericksburg or Petersburg you’re in luck because there are two extended express routes that service those areas. According to the VCU Business Services 2008-2009 Commuter Survey Results approximately 5.9 percent of students use public transportation as means to get around the city. That statistic seems low considering that VCU has about 33,000 students but the good news is that we can increase our efforts to use environmentally friendly transportation. So now that you’re aware of why walking, riding your bicycle, and using public transportation is beneficial, what’s the next step? Well for starters you can pick up your GRTC bus pass and contribute to the efforts made by VCU to go green. Students have the opportunity to use GRTC buses for free and any opportunity to save money is a good one. All you need to do is visit the GRTC office, CVS pharmacy, or Kroger to get your bus pass. As college students our funds might be limited so choosing to walk, bike, or ride the bus is ultimately a win-win situation because you’re helping the environment and keeping your wallet full. I understand that for some students it seems easier to just get in your car and drive to your desired location. With that being said I know that we can’t switch to being environmentally conscious overnight. However, if everyone starts making small changes like walking to a friend’s house instead of driving, eventually these changes will become a habit. You probably know that it’s important to go green but taking the initiative to do so is what really matters. You have the opportunity to make a difference therefore the choice is yours.