The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity announced the first Greek-led sustainability initiative at Utah State University in March.
Fraternity member Brenden Whitelaw is heading “Pike’s Go Green” and is excited to get the program going next fall.
“There are so many opportunities in sustainability and doing stuff for the planet," said Whitelaw, a junior studying biological engineering and physics. “We just need the manpower and my fraternity has it.”
With the Greek community making up 3 percent of the USU student body population, Whitelaw hopes “Pike’s Go Green” turns into “Greeks Go Green.”
“When the Greek communities get behind a cause it always gets noticed,” said Kendra Stanger, a university Ecorep and environmental studies major.
Whitelaw said he is not only looking forward to collaborating with other fraternities and sororities, but also the current environment-focused organizations on campus and throughout Cache Valley.
According to Whitelaw, USU’s Greek chapters have focused their efforts on food drives, disability awareness and cancer research, but never on the state of the environment.
"I look at the air quality in Cache Valley and I think if you clean the air that's like stopping cancer at its source," Whitelaw said.
Pi Kappa Alpha wants to tag team with Utah Clean Cities in distributing no idling signs around Cache Valley.
“The Greeks getting involved in the environmental movement gives it a chance to really grow,” Stanger said. “We can share ideas and help make environmental initiatives fun and exciting for everyone.”
Pi Kappa Alpha planned on premiering their green initiative at their Rumble in the Jungle night in March. Due to unexpected circumstance, however, the event was cancelled.
In efforts to show support of other green initiatives on campus, Pi Kappa Alpha members decided to donate $350 worth of gift cards from their cancelled party to USU’s Earth Hour event.
Whitelaw says Rumble in the Jungle will take place next semester, bigger and better than ever.