Campus grounds (SUNY Geneseo/Keith Walters '11)
In celebration of Earth Day on Monday, April 22, the Buildings and Grounds Advisory Committee will join with Facilities Services and the Office of Sustainability to revive a college tradition — campus beautification. The effort kicks off with Spruce Up Day, with plans for an Adopt-a-Garden program to follow.
The first Spruce Up Day begins at 3 p.m., April 22 in the MacVittie College Union lobby. Volunteers will assist grounds department staff in scouring the campus for trash and recyclables as well as in raking, weeding, mulching, and other efforts to spruce up the campus.
“Spruce Up Day is an opportunity for everyone to come together and give back to the campus that we love and share,” said Andrea Klein, chair of the Buildings and Grounds Advisory Committee. “By working to beautify the College, we’re not only helping the campus environment but also building a sense of community and ownership — and getting in a good workout!”
According to Klein, the effort is also a way for the campus community to support the College’s strategic plan’s objectives of enhancing its public profile and promoting sustainable practices.
“By helping to support some of the work being done by our grounds department, we think we can, quite literally, help cover more ground as a community,” said Klein. “And as we head into the time of the year when we see a lot of visitors on campus, the timing couldn’t be better. We’re starting small this year, but we hope this event becomes part of our ongoing efforts to boost and enhance green practices on campus.”
“The Geneseo community takes great pride in the beauty of our surroundings as we know it adds to the impression we want visitors to have of our campus,” said Kerry Pickering, head grounds supervisor. “But cleaning up the grounds is also something we do for ourselves. We all like working and being a part of a community that’s attractive and cared for. This event gives us all an opportunity to contribute to those efforts directly.”
Volunteers can sign up for two-hour blocks of time (3–5 p.m. or 4–6 p.m.), and tasks, tools, and refreshments will be provided. To sign up, fill out the Clean Up Day volunteer form. For more information, email Klein at klein@geneseo.edu or Pickering at walkerk@geneseo.edu.