Aimee Caligiore

PCA 312A

Issue Proposal

31 Jan. 2013.

For my civic engagement project, I chose to work with a community I feel closest to on campus. I feel as though it is my duty to give back to a community that has made me feel at home during these four years. Being a member of the golf team has brought me into this welcoming group of people, which is why I have chosen to give back to the St. Lawrence University golf course community.

The golf course on campus draws in a vast amount of community members and people from outside the area. The university golf course was established in 1926 and has greatly expanded since. With the golf course being a part of the university, it allows for students and community members to interact. Since Canton is a college town, most members are actively involved or interested in SLU sports. This is another avenue for which the community and golf team members are brought together.

The issue I see at the golf course is the presence of trash left on the ground and having no opportunity to recycle on course. The clubhouse offers separate bins for cans, plastic, and glass, but on course only garbage cans are present. My coach takes it upon herself to drive around every day picking up trash people have left behind. She tells me this has been a problem that does not seem to be changing, so she would appreciate any help that could potentially free her from picking up players’ trash. Also, I know all the trashcans are picked up when the course closes, which leaves no place for garbage disposal for those who walk the avenue of the elms in the winter.

I think seeing litter de-values the beautiful campus we have, and does not represent St. Lawrence in a positive manner. This issue is not strictly based on helping the environment, but having a cleaner campus and golf course for golfers and non-golfers alike. This ties into the community because it targets the student community and all who are affiliated with St. Lawrence. It also targets the golfers who may reside in Canton or in the surrounding area, as well as any visitors that come here to golf or tour St. Lawrence’s campus. If it is not addressed, people will not realize the environmental damage occurring on the golf course and the avenue of the elms, and continue to leave their trash behind. This act of disrespect toward land that we use every day will continue and possibly escalate if it is deemed acceptable.

I chose this issue due to my close connection to the university golf course that has been created through my involvement with the St. Lawrence golf program. Because of the time I have spent at the golf course I have developed a relationship with the staff and would like to help them in any way possible. From playing golf here I can also see how the golf course is a place where many community members gather together. Since Canton is a small town, most members know each other which makes for a real sense of community. I think members would notice a difference in the amount of trash if I could make a change, and they would appreciate a student giving back to a place they connect with. Overall, I see this project as being a great way for me to give back to a community I feel connected to, and a means of helping community members enjoy a trash-free area.