Whereas folks affiliate commencement with caps and robes, it’s additionally develop into synonymous with elevated trash on UT’s campus. Because the semester ends, confetti, streamers and champagne corks acquire round Littlefield Fountain from commencement picture shoots.
Litter from commencement picture shoots might be discovered on Foremost Mall and different common picture locations round campus. Jim Carse, the College’s Panorama Providers Supervisor, mentioned his crew has taken steps to encourage graduates taking photos to cut back littering this semester.
Carse mentioned Panorama Providers manages the grounds across the fountain and the Six Pack, whereas the gardens on College Avenue are the duty of a contractor.
“The contractor providers these areas a number of occasions per week and is conscious of the rise in trash,” Carse mentioned in an electronic mail. “We additionally encourage the campus neighborhood to throw away trash in … receptacles to cut back litter within the space.”
Panorama Providers plans “to set out some further trash and recycling receptacles labeled for champagne bottles, which has confirmed (to) assist in earlier years,” Carse mentioned.
Promoting senior Makayla Bryant mentioned she took pictures at Mary E. Gearing and Goldsmith Halls and Littlefield Fountain late March. Bryant mentioned she seen probably the most litter close to Littlefield Fountain and within the gardens alongside College Avenue.
“There was simply confetti in all places,” Bryant mentioned. “They might simply pop (the confetti) and depart. They’d pop the champagne, after which they only (say), ‘I obtained my picture, and I’m achieved.’”
Bryant mentioned she didn’t discover further trash cans or recycling bins close to Littlefield Fountain when she took her pictures. Regardless of this, Bryant mentioned she and her photographer “discovered an answer to the issue” and packed any rubbish away of their luggage.
“I really feel prefer it’s not a College downside,” Bryant mentioned. “It’s a folks downside. In the event you’re going to take pictures, have the widespread decency to choose up after your self.”
Yaneisi Arriaga, a speech, language and listening to science senior, mentioned she noticed probably the most litter in Littlefield Fountain when she took her pictures final week. She mentioned there wasn’t a lot litter at different spots just like the Six Pack, Foremost Mall or Goldsmith Corridor.
“The fountain was fairly messy,” Arriaga mentioned. “You even needed to be cautious once you obtained in to not step on champagne wires.”
Arriaga and Bryant each mentioned having an additional set of fingers made disposing of their rubbish a lot simpler. Arriaga mentioned she invited mates to assist her and the photographer.
“I simply tossed the (champagne cage) out to them,” Arriaga mentioned, “Then any person would deal with it.”
Arriaga mentioned the College might embrace reminders to choose up after picture shoots within the many emails it sends to seniors making ready to graduate. Bryant mentioned a pleasant reminder would possibly assist alleviate the issue.