Student wants a greener campus
Woman creates new environmental group at WestConn
By Robert Miller
News Times Staff Writer

August 28, 2007

Mercedes DeMasi, of Redding, is creating a group called Students for Environmental Action at West Conn.

All politics -- even global, environmental politics -- is local. You just have to make people see that.

That is the task Mercedes DeMasi has set for herself -- to make the students and faculty at Western Connecticut State University realize their day-to-day activities influence everything from student fees to global warming.

"We need a wake-up call,'' she said Monday. "I want to make this issue inescapable on campus."

DeMasi, 21, of Redding is now creating a group called Students for Environmental Action at WestConn. Her goal is to make people aware that a host of small things do matter.

"The actions we take have an effect on the Earth," she said. "I'm not on an ego trip, but I do want my school, my community and my planet to be OK.''

Before moving on the idea, DeMasi drew up a four-page plan detailing the steps she wants to take to reduce energy consumption at WestConn by 10 percent over the coming school year. They include many small things -- recycling, turning down building thermostats, getting people to turn off lights, changing incandescent bulbs with florescent counterparts-- that will add up to larger gains.

WestConn President James Schmotter said he is so impressed with DeMasi that he wants her to serve on the university energy council.

"She is so energetic and so idealistic," Schmotter said. "But she also has really done her homework on this."

Ruth Gyure -- an assistant professor of biology and environment studies at WestConn who will serve as the club's adviser -- said she has no doubt DeMasi will apply herself fully to getting the tasks done.

"She's been a student of mine, and I've seen what she's capable of," Gyure said.

DeMasi said she knows when people see they can change things -- even small things -- they'll share her irresistible enthusiasm.

"People should participate," she said. "And when they do, it can be a heady experience. They start thinking 'Hey, I made these changes on our campus.'"

Students at Western Connecticut State University who want to join Students for Environmental Action can call Mercedes DeMasi at (203) 938-9016 or e-mail her at kobushihime@hotmail.com.

Back to News Headlines