It was April 16, 2012, a day that is not only internationally recognized as my half birthday, but also my “Accepted Students Day” visit to Connecticut College. While there were many great parts about Conn (clearly I enjoyed my visit, I’m here aren’t I?) there was one part that really threw me off. Now, it wasn’t immediate but over time a great fury built inside of me that all students, staff and faculty need to be aware of. I need to raise awareness to a problem our campus is faced with.
That problem being–tiny cups.
When I first tell people about this issue, I get befuddled looks- “What ever do you mean?”
What I mean is the teeny, tiny cups used at catered events. You use them at lectures, convocation, oh and the worst are barbeques. Let me lay out the problems for you.
First off, the cups are so small that if you want anything more than a little cat lap of water then you’re out of luck. I mean these cups are so small that without even trying, I feel like I’m rippin’ shots every time I drink out of them. How is anyone possibly able to quench their thirst with a drinking vessel so petite?
Now on to the really, really bad issues revolving around the cups. In order to effectively wash down that whole wheat cracker/cheddar cheese combo, you need to have at least three cups because one just will not do it. I don’t know much about environmental studies past my fifth grade trip to the “Trash Museum,” but if the general idea still holds true that using a lot of plastic is bad (especially when you don’t throw it away) then Al Gore will be pretty peeved at our carbon footprint. You think you can be slick and get away with one cup and just go back for refills but when there is a free cheese and fruit platter, what makes you think that not every broke, starving college student within a one-mile radius will all be hovering over the snack section at the same time? Honey, there is no way you’re going to be able to make it back to the water again.
Now, I do not hate all of Conn’s plastic tableware. The forks and knives at catered events are so durable it’s amazing. The Connecticut College logo on the cups is also a great feature that I would never want to see gone.
I’m ready to make a change, to see a difference, one that will not only affect those associated with Connecticut College but one that will change the world—say no to tiny cups. •
