Chi Epsilon cleans campus for a cause

Orlando, Fla -- Members of Chi Epsilon, a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two Year College, gathered on Nov. 20, 2008 to clean Valencia Community College West campus from the non-biodegradable cigarette butts.

The campus clean-up was organized by Whitney Dodson, a student and Chi Epsilon member at Valencia. "This is the first on campus clean-up we've held this semester," Dodson said.

Environmental concerns are one of Chi Epsilon's main focuses. "Off-campus events have been held with Keep Orlando Beautiful and Green Up Orlando," Dodson said. These off-campus events have included lake clean-ups at Lake Eola in Orlando.

Chi Epsilon also recycle paper in their office located in 4-103 and set up Go Green tabling events on campus to provide students and faculty with general information. "I also ride my bike to school sometimes!," Dodson said.

According to Dodson, the campus was dirtier than it looks. "It was the equivalent of changing several hundred dirty diapers," he said.

The campus clean-up also helped to unite the new members of Chi Epsilon with the officers and the older members.

"I didn't expect a whole lot of people but since several people came out, i was pleasantly surprised," Dodson said.

Chi Epsilon plans on continuing to inform its student and faculty body on Valencia's west campus of the environmental issues and the importance of going green.

For more information of Phi Theta Kappa and the Chi Epsilon chapter, visit http://web.valencia.cc.fl.us/ptk/index.htm or go to the Chi Epsilon office located on Valencia Community College West campus in 4-103.