Toss irresponsible behavior out

    Students may be in a hurry, but irresponsible behavior is inexcusable and should be punished. Trash left behind in the parking lots and thrown carelessly on the campus grounds affect all students, as does speeding on campus.

    Although most people have violated the speed limit at some time, speeding on campus endangers students’ lives. Campus is not the place to speed. Speeding is a gamble that does not pay.

    Some students complain about getting a speeding ticket from the campus police, but the fine is only $10 although Lt. William

Greene, of South Campus, wants to see the fine increased.
    “We need to grab the students’ attention. Students are walking everywhere, and traveling fast puts other students at risk,” he said.

    The maximum speed limit for a parking lot is 10 mph. The campus streets are usually restricted to 20 mph.

    Another common violation is students’ parking in faculty spots. Teachers and staff work hard for students, and their parking privilege deserves respect.

    Litter also is a problem that is unsightly and costly. The NW Campus spends 30 man-hours a week picking up litter off the ground at an approximate cost of $15,000 a year.

    Chuck Schulenburg, NW plant superintendent, is in charge of the trash pick up. He said that cigarette butts are a big part of the clean up.

    Smokers should be more responsible and dispose of cigarettes in the proper receptacle. It is just inconsiderate and irresponsible to throw trash on the ground.

    Schulenburg estimates that district wide, the cost to pick up litter is approximately $100,000 a year.

    Trash cans and ashtrays are located all over the campuses; students need to become more considerate and dispose of their trash respectfully.

    Students may not realize it, but leaving the trash in the parking lot or throwing it on the grounds is costing them money, even if it is hidden in taxes or higher tuition.

    Extra labor is required to pick up after an inconsiderate student.

    Students need to have the attitude that it is wrong to throw trash on the ground.

    Students should not rationalize the behavior as someone else’s job security. The work is an extra burden on people who already have difficult and thankless jobs.

    Plus the expense of picking up trash is not a necessity.

    The citizens of most countries have pride and self-respect; they want to take care of their homeland.

    It is sad that many U.S. citizens believe littering is acceptable.

    Litter is a problem that has infected and marred more than just the TCC campuses.

    Trash is a monumental problem; if people trash their own backyard, they will trash everywhere.