Hydro Flasks in brick holes graphic. Aubrie Rice // Publicity Center
The Eastern Back is a yearly publication by the staff of the AS Review. Anything contained here probably isn’t true – unless it is… Happy April Fool’s week!
MacKenzie Dexter
During dead week of winter quarter, Western Student Timothee Chamomile sprained their ankle while riding their skateboard. The skateboard’s wheels had caught in the hole of a missing brick which caused Chamomile to fall off of their skateboard, resulting in the injury.
Since bricks across campus have been disappearing at an alarming rate, Western has implemented their action plan, “Skate, Save, Sustain,” to keep students and skaters safe. According to an email sent out to Western students and faculty, unclaimed Hydro Flasks in the VU lost and found and from around campus will be used to fill the holes between bricks. Western is also asking students to follow their new social media accounts called, @safeskatersforearthwwu.
“Unfortunately this is not the first time a student has been hurt from a brick,” Eric Dope, university emergency brick planner, said. “But with this new plan, it will be the last.”
Dope said they hope that adding abandoned Hydro Flasks to the holes in brick paths will help students stay safe when walking or skating to and from classes.
“I think it’s really rad that Western is doing something to make sure the skating community can get to class safely,” Chamomile, survivor of the skateboard crash, said. “I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.”
Mel Fern said that she wasn’t aware of how common brick-related injuries and agreed actions should be taken to keep students safe. However, she isn’t sold on the new plan.
“This is probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Fern said.
Mike Trust, university environmental consciousness conductor, said that Western is trying to find ways to improve the campus while also reducing waste, hence using abandoned Hydro Flasks. Trust also said that using the Hydro Flasks will hopefully inspire students to find ways to implement zero waste tactics in their own lives.
“Being conscious of our on-campus waste starts with the administration,” Trust said. “Students will be inspired to be more conscious of their waste every time they step on the Hydro Flask filled walkway.”
Since Hydro Flasks are more durable and make a loud sound when hit, Western hopes that they will last longer in Bellingham’s rainy climate. Western also hopes the loud sound will alert the authorities if someone tries to remove the Hydro Flasks from the paths.
Birk Stock, Zero Waste Club 2.0 President, said that the addition of Hydro Flasks to the campus pathways is a step in the right direction.
“The clank of a Hydro Flask is music to my ears,” Stock said. “This is where change happens and how we save our environment.”
Happy April Fools!
