By Mackenzie Byerlee
Features Editor
To mark the start of a new semester, students participated in a plant lending project that was similar to checking out a library book.
Who Needs a Pet When You Can Have a Plant took place on both Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in the Buley Library lobby. The laid back nature of this event allowed for students to stop by between classes and check out a plant.
“I saw a bunch of plants lined up on a table and I love plants” physics major Amadi Mitchell, a junior, said.
There was only one condition for participants: that they bring the plant back at the end of the semester.
The event was designed to draw in a wide range of students and faculty. It was not just for those with an interest in plants, but also for those that may not know much about them and therefore use this as an opportunity to learn more.
They had plant themed keychains, stickers and bookmarks they gave away as well.
The project was a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, the Buley Library Maker- space, the Innovation Hub and the Honors College.
With the combined passions of those from various departments, their collective love for plants was clear. Coordinators said they were inspired by other universities that had similar programs.
The plant lending project was led by Innovation Hub Special Projects Coordinator Derek Faulkner who has previously done work with the Campus Community Garden and teaches Honors 300: Introduction to Service Learning.
“We wanted to get plants in the hands of people to add some greenery to people’s dorms and help people who might be intimidated by taking care of a plant with no stakes and no cost,” Faulkner said.
With his understanding of what goes into programs like this one, as well as with the help of the collaborators, they were all able to put on an event that educated participants about plants and allowed them to grow their own.
The event coordinators were also making students aware that they did not have any expectations for the state of the plants when they are returned in December.
“There’s no punishment if the plant dies,” Faulkner said. “It’s just a way to introduce people to owning a plant.”
Hands-on experiences like this encourage students to try new things and go out of their comfort zone especially with something with such low stakes.
A new addition to this semester’s project was the grant that they received from the Connecticut Horticultural Society. Innovation Hub Graduate Assistant Sage Maier was able to secure this external partner to help the program to continue running.
“They thought it was a really unique idea and I’m super happy to have that to help grow our plant inventory,” Maier said.
Through using new techniques and having more supporters, Who Needs a Pet When You Can Have a Plant showed students that collaboration based projects can help the community.
“We’re collecting even more data, which is good to see,” Maier said. “I hope it’s going to continue.
