By Kelly Yu

For a school that prides itself on being “Red Hot,” Stony Brook could not have picked a hotter day for Earthstock 2008.  Booths lined the walkways from the SAC to the fountain in front of the Administration Building. The most eclectic of them all was a lonely stand in front of the descending fountain next to the stage.  It was the Student Life Council booth, which drew a crowd at 2:30 pm where they hosted the Rubber Duck Race down “stony brook.”

At 2:30, Dr. Susan DiMonda, Associate Dean and Director of Student Life, lifted barrier between hundreds of red rubber ducks and freedom.  People surrounded the fountain as hundreds of ducks waddled backwards, forwards, and even upside down to the finish line. There was a clear winner at the end when Dr. DiMonda fished out number 185, better known as Duck Duck.  Duck Duck’s proud owner, Jessica Fareri, called this victory an “extension of [last night’s] Spirit Night win” for Roth Quad.  As the winner, Duck Duck received a backpack filled with goodies such as a $30 gift certificate to the Seawolves Marketplace.  Who knew rubber ducks liked coffee and linzer tarts too?  It was a sad sight after the winner was crowned, as many of the rubber ducks didn’t even pass the finish line.  The brook was lined with red rubber floating sadly without direction.  But nobody cared. All they wanted was their rubber duck, as did this reporter, who named her duck Kingsley II as well as Stony Brook Press Associate Editor, Alex Nagler, who appropriately named his Nagles.  Neither had a chance against Duck Duck. 

Throughout the week prior to Earthstock, the Student Life Council was advertising adoption of these red rubber ducks.  The ducks went for a dollar each adoption came with a slip signifying the owner and number of the duck.  There was no limit to the number of ducks a person could adopt because all the money donated would fund student events such as the drive-in movie Transformers event and other campus recreations.  By Friday, the Student Life Council had a little over 500 rubber ducks donated.  By the beginning of the race, about 1000 ducks were sent swimming towards the Wang Center.

The first rubber duck race was supposed to premier at an event called “Salute to Stony Brook” on September 11, 2001.  However, for obvious reasons, the event was cancelled and the first race was rescheduled for next semester.  For the first race, anyone could adopt a yellow rubber duck, free of charge.  Last year was the first year the Student Life Council had a booth at Earthstock and decided to re-introduce the rubber duck races because of their popularity in 2002.  For this year, the SLC decided to go with red ducks to represent the “Red Hot” campus.  When asked what set the duck race apart from the other Earthstock events, Dr. DiMonda responded, “It’s fun and different.  It’s unique.”  It shows the quirky side of being a part of an environmentally-conscious school.

According to their website, the Student Life Council not only advocates for students, but tries to get students more involved by sponsoring activities, giving information about scholarships, participating in trips like Mets games, and other fun, rewarding events.  “There’s lots to do on campus,” says sophomore Daniel Deland, “Sports, clubs, intramurals.  There’s lots of stuff online, you just need to know where to look.”  One of those places is through the SCL listserve.  Dr. DiMonda tries to get the word out to students about all these events and awards through the listserve.  Anyone can sign up for the information on the SLC website. With all this and other events available on campus, no student should ever say, ‘There is nothing to do at Stony Brook.’”

By David Robin

Recycling is a serious problem on the Stony Brook campus. One stroll through the academic mall in the middle of the day reveals a wasteland of plastic bottles, sandwich wrappers, and pizza boxes. Some of this garbage falls off of the top of overflowing garbage cans but other articles of trash are left or purposely thrown on the ground by fellow Stony Brook students.

Stony Brook has made an effort with the placing of recycling garbage cans in public areas as well as in every dorm room. What else can Stony Brook do to contribute to the earth friendly effort?

One event that answers this question every year is EarthStock, which takes place from April 11 – 18, and involves a variety of unique events. One of the more interesting events taking place is “Do it in the Dark,” a “renewable rock concert” hosted by the Environmental Club. The event takes place in the Mendelsohn Pit from 7PM – 11PM on Thursday, April 17. When most people think of rock concerts, eco-friendly is not aword that comes to mind, however, the bands will be using a battery that will be charged with solar power during the day for use during the concert. In addition to the music, there will be two guest speakers.

The first speaker will be Professor Michael White, who will talk about Suffolk County’s drinking water. There will be many other activities, such as glow in the dark soccer as well as free food and a raffle for reusable water bottles and t-shirts. In addition, CHOICE will be giving away free condoms as well as stressing the importance of safe sex, thus hinting at another meaning for the name of the concert.

The name of the event, “Do it in the Dark,” stresses that students should reduce energy consumption. Electricity is overused throughout the dorms and the event is trying to spread the idea that turning off your computer, or even just turning off your lights, can have a significant impact on the environment. Walking instead of driving to class and carpooling are other ways to reduce our impact on the environment.

Brendon Parker, the guitarist for Double Wonderful, one of the bands playing at the event, understands the importance of the event. “I feel it’s important to take a stance on environmental issues…If you think of all of the electricity that bands use, it’s amazing that solar power can be used and that it is an available option.” In addition to Double Wonderful, Honus Wagner and Vector Red will be playing at the event.

The Environmental Club will be offering students the opportunity to take a pledge that says that they will stop drinking bottled water on campus. This action is part of a larger campaign that involves a petition to ban bottled water on campus. “Suffolk County is among the best tap water in the country. So much waste comes from manufacturing water bottles” says Michelle Pizer, the President of the Environmental Club.

According to Pizer, to manufacture a plastic water bottle, oil and other chemical byproducts are used and these hurt the environment in which they are made, which is usually in Africa, India, or another country that cannot fight the pollution generated by these manufacturing plants. The pledge is designed so that students use water fountains instead of buying Dasani water bottles.

This saves money for the individual, reduces unnecessary trash, and would be beneficial to the environments in these factory-ridden countries. Pizer hopes that “having this event will encourage people to make better choices in the future.” Captain Planet would be proud.