Sarah Hutchins | Oct. 21, 2009
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| Photo by James Brosher |
| Professor Claude Cookman is one of several faculty and staff members who bike or walk to Ernie Pyle Hall each day. "It really gets me wide awake," he said. |
Associate professor Claude Cookman bikes three miles from his house in Park Ridge. Rain or shine, he’ll mount his Diamondback bicycle for the 15 to 20 minute ride across the bypass and onto campus.
“It really gets me wide awake,” Cookman said. “When it’s 45 degrees outside with wind in your face, it’s invigorating.”
For Cookman, biking is about more than a brisk morning wakeup. It’s also about functional exercise. He’ll try to combine biking with everyday activities like going to the grocery store and getting to work.
Already, multiple faculty and staff members have ditched their cars for alternative work transportation. Associate professor Jim Kelly bikes every day the steets are dry. Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Shannon Martin and Web developer Jeff Johnson also ride in, as does assistant professor Hans Ibold, who makes an eight-mile round trip ride.
Assistant professor Mike Conway said he has been riding to Ernie Pyle Hall every day for the past five years. Like many of the journalism school bikers, he doesn’t even own a parking pass.
Over the years Conway has found tips and tricks for biking the one mile to work in any kind of weather. When it rains, he dons full-body raingear and shoe covers to protect his clothes.
“A college environment is a great place to bike,” Conway said. "It’s a great way to commute."
However, not all of these eco-friendly commuters opt for bikes. Living in Europe, Newswire editor Anne Kibbler picked up the habit of walking and using public transporation. When she moved to Bloomington, she kept up the routine. While walking to work is routine by now, Kibbler said the environmental benefits only add to her motivation.
“Before green was trendy, people just walked because they could,” she said. “I just feel better when I walk.”
Not even the harsh Bloomington winters prevent Kibbler, and most of the bikers, from putting on her walking shoes. She’ll just bundle up and try to avoid the ice.
Recycling efforts have also increased to keep with a university-wide green initiative.
“We’re trying to do more with recycling plastic, aluminum and magazines,” said office supervisor Judy Boruff.
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| Photo by James Brosher |
| Even in bad weather, Cookman and others bike or walk to campus. Other green activities at the school include "sleeping" computers at night and recycling. |
Technology also received a green update. Senior systems administrator David Ernst modified the computers to save energy. The computers shut off around 10 p.m. each night and turn on around 6:30 a.m. Not only will this adjustment save energy, but it will also cool off the rooms to prevent extra heating and cooling costs.
Apple computers, which the journalism school uses exclusively, are also the greenest on the market, Ernst said.
Like the rest of the university, the journalism school replaces computers every three years. However, none of the old equipment goes to waste. Backup batteries are recycled back to suppliers. Equipment is sent to the IU surplus, sold to other departments on campus or loaned out.
So far, the initiatives are small scale, but the school continues to try and consider green alternatives. Even the faculty bikers admit that one small step is better than nothing.
“It is good for the environment,” Cookman said. “I mean, the gallons of gas I’ve saved over the years. It’s a very small thing, but if everyone did it, it would be revolutionary.”
