One of Hopkins's greatest allures is its pristine campus. From re-bricked walkways to multimillion-dollar building renovations, many financial resources have been dedicated to beautifying Homewood. While prospective students and visiting scholars may be dazzled by Gilman's new atrium or Mason Hall, ask any undergraduate where the most appealing spot on campus is and chances are she or he will respond with: the Beach.
The Beach is often a visitor's first impression of Hopkins. Furthermore, it is a favorite place for students to congregate on sunny days. But these dual functions as a focal point of campus and a hang out mean that the beach comes with great responsibility for those who use it. While eating and drinking on the Beach gives Hopkins the typical "chilling out on the quad" college vibe, the litter left after a day of fun is a real eyesore for the community. Students should make a conscious effort to clean up after themselves.
Leaving trash behind not only spoils Homewood's beauty, but also tarnishes the student body's reputation as mature and responsible. How embarrassing would it be if the school had to resort to fining students for leaving garbage on what is effectively Hopkins' front yard?
It should be noted that Beach litter is not a problem unique to the 2011-2012 student body, but rather a perennial one that plagues the school whenever the weather warms. The News-Letter has covered the issue in the past, as recently as April 2010. This year, the gift of an early spring should be met with a proactive student effort to keep the campus clean. We shouldn't pollute the most chill place on campus.
Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
November 22, 2024
