The St. Mary's University College Social Justice Committee is a group of faculty members, staff and students dedicated to issues that affect humanity and the world. Our theme for the 2011-2012 academic year is WATER. We will examine issues
such as the commodification of water, the right to potable water, and the ethics of bottled water, to name a few.
Join us by committing to making your semester bottled water free, liking us on Facebook to find out cool water facts, or contacting Nancy Quan in Campus Ministry or students Megan Appleford and Brooke Ramsay about joining our committee!
st. mary's becomes first alberta university to be bottled water free
(October 6, 2011) -- President Gerry Turcotte and a mysterious blue guest officially launched our 2011-12 social justice theme today by declaring St. Mary's University College bottled water free.
Students, staff, faculty and media representatives were on hand to witness the unveiling of one of six new water refilling stations and fountains in the Classroom Building. President Turcotte, who cut the ribbon, said St. Mary's is the first post-secondary institution in Alberta to eliminate bottled water from campus.
With water in short supply in many areas of the world, the social justice committee felt that it is unethical to consume it in plastic bottles here in Calgary where excellent water is abundant, he said.
Dr. Matthew Clay (left), a St. Mary's chemistry professor, said Calgary's glacier-fed water supply is among the best in the world. He illustrated his comments with his own photographs of our Rocky Mountain water sources west of the city.
After the taste-test challenge (below left)), which asked participants if they could tell the difference between bottled water and fountain water, Dr. Turcotte and Campus Ministry Director Nancy Quan (below right) ceremoniously removed the final bottle of water from the vending machine.
"We are very proud to be the first bottled water free campus in Alberta! Not because we want to simply be the first, but because our students are challenged to become thoughtful and engaged leaders in the world," said Nancy, who chairs the social justice committee.
"Our school is leading the way in Alberta universities in reducing the commoditization of water and reducing waste in the landfills. This is really something that we can get behind!"
>> READ COVERAGE IN THE CALGARY HERALD
>> READ ABOUT OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE WATER WALK IN SEPTEMBER