Gifts Thus Far

Gift #46
Initiating Young Sierrans of Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter
Given by Wai K. Chu, Muir 2005

Wai has been a follower of John Muir for years. In the spirit of John Muir, he is working with five other Sierra Club members of the San Francisco Bay Chapter to establish a new activity section called Bay Area Young Sierrans. The mission of this new-founded section aims to organize social and outdoor activities, gather ecologically-minded people under the age of 35, and to explore and to enjoy life and the great outdoors –in order to get people involved in making a positive impact to protect our environment. They hope to produce the next generation of leaders to confront the human impacts on our beautiful natural world.
(Their kickoff event will be held on June 21st 2008. Volunteers will perform a beach clean-up, followed by a fun Eco-friendly bonfire at Ocean Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Feel free to stop by if you're in the area!!)

Gift #45
I Pledge: To Use Eco-Friendly Household Cleaning Products
Given by Patty Mahaffey, Dean of Student Affairs

Muir College's very own Dean has pledged to reduce her carbon footprint by using environmentally-friendly household cleaning products instead of harmful chemicals. Not only are there cleaners out there made using only natural ingredients, such as Seventh Generation and Green Works, but using these products prevents exposure to hazardous synthetic chemicals that conventional cleaners contain. Eco-Friendly cleaners work just as well and are biodegradable, made of plant-based surfactants, are safe for septic and greywater systems, are not tested on animals, and are Kosher-certified!

Gift #44
I Pledge: To Air Dry My Clothes
Given by Sonam Mehta

We may not realize it, but about 35 billion loads are washed each year in the U.s., with the average household washing over 50 pounds of laundry in over 7 loads each week! About half of all loads are done in warm water, 35% in cold water, and 15% in hot water. Of all this laundry, 90% is dried in gas or electric dryers, using valuable electricity and natural resources! Air Drying clothes saves energy and best of all, it's FREE!!! Most electric dryers cost over $75 a year to operate, with gas dryers being only a bit less expensive. By pledging to air dry clothes, not only will clothes be just as clean, but electricity, resources, and money will be saved!!

Gift #43
Tile Project
Given by the Muir Environmental Corps

Every year, Muir Environmental Corps does many things that could be considered one of the "40 gifts." But we wanted to give a gift that would be different, and that would connect alumni and students while allowing for creativity, and to leave a piece of Muir history for future generations. This became the tile project. During various days, including alumni day, students, faculty, and alumni will be able to paint a 6x6 tile with either a quote, memory, or picture representative of Muir College and John Muir Week. The tiles will be put in two places - the planter in front of Sierra Summit and the tunnel walkway that leads down to the main quad. The planter was chosen because of it's significance - it is "Chip's planter" named after our first Dean of Muir College. The plants are all native, and our hope is that, by adding the tiles, it will bring out the history of Muir while also bringing attention to the importance of native plants of the area.

Gift #42
Making Measurements to Understand How Humans are Impacting Our Environment
Given by Professor Kimberly A. Prather and her research group, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Professor Prather and her research group are helping the environment by making measurements of how aerosols (i.e. soot, smoke, dust) are impacting climate and human health. They have developed unique instruments for measuring how clouds form and how air pollution in the form of particles warm/cool our planet. It is extremely important to understand the factors contributing to the warming we are experiencing in order to accurately predict the trajectory we are taking so we can establish effective controls that will help get us back on track. Her group measures air pollution around the world with a focus on developing nations including Mexico, China, and India. On a personal level, Professor Prather spends time helping educate the public and teaching kids how to protect Mother Earth and how little choices each one of us makes on a daily basis can make to make a difference. If each person makes one seemingly small choice, and you multiply this change by every person on the planet, we can make one HUGE and noticeable change!! She sets her own example by walking to/from the Coaster train station every day which she takes to work at UCSD, using her own shopping bags, putting in efficient light bulbs (they actually give off more light but use less electricity than the other kind now), and recycling. Her goal is to help keep the earth in a state that her own two boys and grandchildren will enjoy like she has been able to do.

Gift #41
Livable University City
Given by Petr Krysl, Associate Professor, Department of Structural Engineering

UCSD is part of the University City community, geographically, politically, and sociologically. For the past two years I've been volunteering my time and effort as a member and vice chair of the University City Planning Group. This volunteer institution is charged with working with the city of San Diego on land-use planning issues. Often times the planning group deals with the tension between the development and population growth and the protection of the environment, sustainability, and general livability in the University City.

Gift #40!
I Pledge: To Use Cloth Bags at the Store
Given by Laura Fleisch, May Lou, Patty Mahaffey, Alisse Bodow, Winnie Chan, Mabel Tsang, Nikki Wittmann, David Naimine, Joje Reyes, Kristyn Lewko, and Natalie Rice-Thorp

We all do it: purchase 40 items from stores, taking them home in 40 pags, more than 40 times per year. What a difference it makes when these students and staff members become committed to using reusable bags instead of wasting plastic bags, which are not recyclable as they clog up machines used in the recycling process! What a great way to reach 40 Gifts, and a great start to 40 more!!!!

Gift #39
I Pledge: To Donate Used Items
Given by Ebonie Rayford and Natalie Rice-Throp

In thinking of ways to reduce waste, these staff members have pledged to donate used items they do not need to people who would use them, not only preventing these items from becoming trash but reducing the need for more items to be produced. This saves resources and energy, in addition to being a kind way to help many people out!

Gift #38
Enjoying Eco-Friendly Food
Given by Maggie LaRochelle, Muir College Special Projects Assistant

Many of us are not aware of the resources consumed in most of the food we eat. From preserving to preparing, often the produce we buy has traveled long and far, using tons of transportation resources and often being treated with preservatives. To help make a statement of buying local, Maggie has decided to purchase produce only from various local Farmer's Markets. Not only will Maggie be reducing the resources typically used in obtaining produce, she will be enjoying more delicious foods!

Gift #37
I Pledge: To Walk, Bike, Skate, but Not Drive
Given by Jamie Browning, Peter Lum, Weng Chang, Jessica Cordell, Ryan Potter, and Jennifer Way

With the price of gasoline continually rising, it's easy to understand the monetary benefits of using alternate forms of transportation. These students and staff members have decided to not only reap the monetary benefits of using public and alternate transportation, they have made a commitment to reducing pollution by not driving places they can walk to, take shuttles to, or bike to. In addition to reducing pollution, they will also contribute to fixing many local traffic problems while enjoying some easy exercise in the beautiful San Diego sun!

Gift #36
I Pledge: To Reuse My Mug
Given by Maggie Yandell, Brian Latham, May Lou, Patty Mahaffey, Jenny Goldsmith, Betty Kuo, and Tri Le

To help promote resource conservation, these students and staff members have pledged to support their affinity to caffeine using only reusable beverage containers. For students like these who often frequent campus coffee shops, it is easy and eco-friendly to bring a mug with you and save the planet, while also usually saving a few cents!!!

Gift #35
I Pledge: To Take Shorter Showers
Given by Alex Liao, Ingrid Pearson, Jean Strelitz, Jaclyn Los Banos, and Tom Hegstad

While we all acknowledge clean water is a precious resource, many of us are not aware of the amount of water we actually use. These students are making a commitment to reducing the amount of water they use by making a conscious effort to take shorter and colder showers, saving both water and electricity. Even a few minutes off of your average shower time can make a HUGE difference and help prevent future droughts.

Gift #34
I Pledge: To Conserve Electricity
Given by Lauren Shimizu, Laura Marx, Cecilia Rubio, Jessie Lacaff-Roberts, and J.R. Guzman

In the spirit of John Muir, these students have committed to reducing the amount of electricity they use, by being conscious of turning lights of when they leave the room, using the Sleep function of the television at night, and turning off their computers when they are away. In addition to this, they are spreading the message of conserving electricity by encouraging all those around them to do the same! Way to go!

Gift #33
I Pledge: To Use Only Reusable Dishware at the Dining Halls
Given by Dennis Ozdemir, Mike Shih, Natalie Wolfe, Christina Homer, Ingrid Carreno, Ashley Cheung, and Spencer Knowlton

These awesome students have pledged to reduce waste by using reusable 'for here' dishware at all campus dining halls. By doing this, less plastic and styrofoam will be used, helping dining services to reduce costs in addition to being far more eco friendly!

Gift #32
I Pledge: To Make My World Cleaner
Given by Matt Datlen, Meg Gullo, and Matt Poling

In an effort to make the world a cleaner place, these students and staff members have committed to picking up trash they see around them. Not only will this make our campus and community a more beautiful place to live, it will help protect the animals around us from suffering harmful effects caused from litter, as well as prevent it from being dumped into the oceans.

Gift #31
I Pledge: To Stop Wasting Water Bottles!
Given by Lindsay Duncan, Jessica Cherng, Amy Buck, Nasrin Aboulhosn, Ami Thakor, and Maureen Clark

In honor of John Muir's environmental work, these awesome students have pledged to stop using many wasteful waterbottles and instead to use reusable beverage containers. While it is better to recycle disposable water bottles rather than trash them, many resources are still consumed. By making a commitment to use resuable containers, these students are helping to eliminate trash and conserve precious resources.

Gift #30
Eco Friendly and On The Go!
Given by the Muir College commuter Council

This year, M3C has decided to give away reusable mugs as a promotional item to their members and other Muir students, promoting the message to use a reusable mug at coffee shops and other locations instead of wasteful disposable beverage containers. The organization hopes that these mugs will not only help advertise for their organization, but help reduce the carbon footprint of all who use them!

Gift #29
Bling Bling
Given by the Muir Organizing Board

During MOB's first ever Funk Rap Week, students were given the opportunity to decorate their own glassware, encouraging students to use reusable dishes as opposed to disposable cups. Students were given the opportunity to 'Bling' their cups with a variety of crafty supplies, being able to make a personal statement out of a cup that they will enjoy using over and over again.

Gift #28
Educational Impact
Given by Mattias Cape, Class of 2006

Having worked at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography through college and since his graduation in 2006, Mattias has been involved in the United States Antarctic Program studying the photosynthetic properties of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean. Understanding the factors that regulate algae growth gives insight into the potential effects of climate change on this fundamental part of ocean food webs. Mattias also plans to start on his PhD in quantitative ecology in the fall of 2008, with the ultimate goal of continuing research in the Antarctic and actively contributing to environmental education. When he's not trying to be a brainiac, Mattias also enjoys people of all makes and models, riding his road bike to work (every day is bike to work day), and helping organize bbqs for peace in OB (all are welcomed).

Gift #27
Understanding How Bacteria Detoxify Mercury
Given by Stanley J. Opella, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

In research support by the National Institutes of Health, students in Professor Opella's laboratory are investigating the mechanism by which bacteria detoxify mercury. Some bacteria have genes for a system that imports the most toxic form of mercury (Hg(II)) into the cell where an enzyme reduces it to the less toxic metallic form (Hg(0)), which then disappears because it is volatile. They have already determined the structure of two of the proteins of the bacterial mercury detoxification system, and are actively pursuing those that transport the mercury across the cell membrane. Some of these genes have already been placed in plants for remediation of polluted sites, and understanding the chemistry and structural biology of the entire system has the potential to contribute to detoxification of the environment and of humans who have exposed to mercury-containing compounds.

Gift #26
Making a Choice
Given by Ed Fantino, Professor, Department of Psychology

Professor Fantino is contributing to conservation by taking the NCTD bus whenever feasible (and he enjoies the fact that it is free, thanks to UCSD). When he can't take the bus, his co-worker and wife Stephanie carpool in their new Prius. They purchased two Priuses this past fall (the second for their daughter who attends UCLA), and are proud to get 47mpg! Professor Fantino also teaches and researches self-control. He believes that many problems in the world, most definitely including environmental ones, result from choice of immediate small rewards over larger delayed rewards (impulsive rather than self-control choices). His courses stress techniques we can use to make self-control more likely in our own lives.

Gift #25
Backyard Composting
Given by Kate Antonovics, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics

Professor Antonovics and her husband have chosen to honor John Muir's legacy by personally installing a backyard composter. This composter helps produce rich soil from kitchen and yard waste, helping spawn a new generation of healthy plants. Professor Antonovis claims "It's surprising (and a little scary) how much waste we generate!"

Gift #24
I Pledge Campaign
Given by the Muir College Student Affairs Staff

The I Pledge Campaign is a gift from the Muir College Student Affairs Staff to the environment for the 40th anniversary of Muir College. During John Muir Week (April 21 – 25), students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to make a specific commitment to improving our community and our world. Participants can choose a pledge from a list of options or make up their own. All pledges will be showcased in Muir Woods coffee shop during John Muir Week.
In the spirit of John Muir, the Student Affairs staff would like hold this campaign in order to bring greater awareness to the importance and feasibility of creating a sustainable environment.

Gift #23
The Greening of Muir College
Given by Paul Linden, Chair, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Director of UCSD’s Environment and Sustainability Initiative

In an effort to promote conservation of local resources, Professor Linden led a Winter quarter freshman seminar, entitled The Greening of Muir College, in which students researched energy use in Tioga Hall, trash disposal in the Sierra Summit dining commons, and possible improvements to student apartments. Participating students presented their findings in a public forum sponsored by the Environmental Sustainability Initiative. Thanks to students Brooke Butler, Amy Calderon, Carmen Chen, Andrea Chow, James Dupray, Jason Gubatayao, Russell Hui, Cindy Quan, Lauren Rueda, Samantha Sanchez, Sarah Spacht, Sarah Steinman, Ryan Taylor, and Winny Wen for their participation!

Gift #22
Campus Conservation
Given by Bryan Ward, Class of '07

Since graduating last year, Bryan has been working in the office of UCSD’s Sustainability Coordinator to facilitate the integration of campus-wide efforts to “green” the campus. Bryan's commitment to promoting environmental conservation has helped lead to a campus-wide focus on conserving resources and raising awareness.

Gift #21
Book Swap!
Given by the Muir College Writing Program

In an effort to conserve resources and promote education through reading, the Muir College Writing Program is sponsoring a Book Swap during John Muir Week. It's a place for students, staff, and faculty to share old books and acquire new ones, simply by bringing them to a Book Swap Table in MOM. Any books left at the end of the week will be donated to a local charity.

Gift #20
Environmental Action
Given by Theater Troupe

To celebrate the environmental philosophies of the college namesake, John Muir, Theater Troup is planning a skit dedicated to raising awareness about John Muir's causes and life. The organization hopes that students will learn about environmental issues as well as gain a newfound respect and appreciation for the college's philosophies of celebrating the independent spirit.

Gift #19
Alternative Solutions
Given by Dave Payne, MCC Chair

Muir College Council Chair Dave Payne is proud to celebrate John Muir's legacy by making a personal contribution to better the environment. Dave is committed to using only scratch or recycled paper when he prints notes and drafts for his classes, in addition to doing what he can to use his car less. He will carpool, use public transportation, or walk to get around when he can! Additionally, Dave has challenged himself to find alternative transportation methods so he can attempt to go the entire summer without using his car! Way to go Dave!

Gift #18
A Convenient Gift
Given by Muir Academic Advising

Muir Academic Advising is delighted celebrate Muir's 40th by giving a copy of the DVD of “An Inconvenient Truth” to Muir College, for all students and staff to watch and learn from. This award winning movie features former Vice-President Al Gore’s compelling view of our planet’s future. This DVD features also “An Update with Former Vice-President Al Gore” and “The Making of an Inconvenient Truth” in addition to the main part of the DVD, “An Inconvenient Truth.” This DVD provides an extraordinary argument to save the earth, a message that John Muir would have supported 100%. Muir TV will be presenting this DVD soon so students will be able to view it from the comfort of their own on campus rooms, in the hopes they will learn about it and discuss ways to prevent global warming.

Gift #17
A Bright Idea
Given by Green Campus

Each year, many freshmen move onto campus unaware of the energy wasting lifestyles of their life prior to the university. To aid in the transition from uninformed high school student to environmentally enlightened scholar, Green Campus has started a program for students to exchange their energy inefficient incandescent lightbulbs for energy saving CFL bulbs, which in addition to using 75% less energy than a standard lightbulb, last 10 times as long. How's that for enlightenment?

Gift #16
Saving Energy, Cold Turkey
Given by Jessica Wall, Muir Student

To help conserve the energy it takes to heat water, Junior Jessica Wall has changed her lifestyle by taking cold instead of hot showers after she runs. By doing this, Jessica personally will be taking shorter showers and saving energy. Jessica hopes others will be inspired by her gift and make small changes in their lifestyles to preserve the environment.

Gift #15
Proper Disposal
Given by the Muir Writing Program

Many people aren't aware that batteries cannot be disposed of in normal trash cans. Even for those who know, they often times throw them out because it is difficult to find appropriate places to dispose of them. To help prevent these batteries from rotting in landfills, the Muir Writing Programs has put out a bin to collect used batteries and will dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner.

Gift #14
Energy: Traditional, Alternative, and Sustainable
Given by Carrie Wastal, Director, Muir Writing Program

In addition to Muir Writing's inclusion of Environmental issues in the Muir 40 reader for first and second year students to learn from, Carrie Wastal has designed a course to educate older Muir Writing Students on issues of sustainability, entitled “Energy: Traditional, Alternative, and Sustainable.” Carrie hopes this class can intrigue students to learn about alternative energy and how to live in a sustainable manner.

Gift #13
Relating Muir Writing to Muir Himself
Given by the Muir Writing Program

In celebration of Muir's dedication to the environment, the Muir Writing program has decided to feature arguments about the general topic of sustainability in the MCWP 40 reader for spring 2008. By doing this, a variety of first and second years students will be exposed to issues related to sustainability and become more aware of environmental topics affecting the society they live in.

Gift #12
Student Feedback Suggests: Go Paperless!
Given by Maribeth Johnson, Muir Coordinator of Student Activities

Evaluating student programs is an important way to assess how the objectives and outcomes were met. This year at the conclusion of the New Leaders Conference rather than handing out paper evaluations I created an online survey that was sent to the students the night of the conference, saving the valuable resource of paper!

Gift #11
Muir 40th Anniversary Videos
Given by Muir TV

Muir TV is going to tape ongoing interviews with Muir Alumni and also document the fun activities during John Muir Week and JMC's 40th Anniversary Celebration. Muir TV would love to be a part of giving back to John Muir College and keeping these memories safe forever, in a digital format that Muir TV hopes will set the standard for archiving without paper in the future!

Gift #10
HA Pledge to the Environment
Given by Muir College House Advisors 2007-2008

Each JMC House Advisor has pledged to sacrifice their time and efforts to make the world around them a better place. Pledges range from giving up water bottles to not eating red meat, but each HA is sacrificing something very essential to their lifestyle to give back to the man who started John Muir and created such a wonderful atmosphere. As a group, the HAs also pledge to do a group beach clean-up Spring Quarter. They would love to show the world what countless students have learned here at JMC in the last 40 years: show love to the environment and you will definitely get love back!

Gift #9
Promoting Events Without Paper
Given by the Tribe of Muir Transfers

In the spirit of promoting the conservation of valuable resources, Tribe of Muir Transfers would like to commit themselves to using the power of the internet to promote their events. Using e-mails, MuirWords and Facebook we not only save trees but all the resources needed to make a tree into paper (for example bleaching, cutting, and the fuel used in transport). When one stops to consider the resources that it takes to manufacture paper, and then transport it to the end user, one realizes how small commitments like this one can go a long way.

Gift #8
The Environmental Advocate
Given by Muir College Council

To ensure the college does all it can to promote green practices, the Muir College Council has created a position entitled 'The Environmental Advocate', who will serve on MCC and be dedicated to making everything MCC does environmentally friendly, from how they run meetings to the events they plan. This advocate will also serve the same purpose college wide, helping other organizations and individuals find sustainable ways to be involved with Muir.

Gift #7
Save That Page - Save the Environment
Given by the Muir Environmental Corps

Part of reducing the impact humans have on the environment is gaining mass support. While no contribution is too small, the efforts of many add up to produce the largest effect. The Muir Environmental Corps have published a bookmark with tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint. These bookmarks are durable, reusable, and have been distributed around Muir College. They hope that members of the Muir community will use these bookmarks as a constant reminder to do their part for the environment.

Gift #6
Composting Waste
Given by Housing and Dining Services

In honor of John Muir's commitment to environmental preservation, Sierra Summitm Restaurant and Ocean View Terrace have begun composting pre-consumer waste. This process produces a nutrient rich product that fertilizes and conditions soil. Additionally, by reducing the amount of trash, less is thrown into landfills and less waste is produced through the process of burning trash.

Gift #5
More Free Food, Less Waste
Given by the Muir Residents' Council

In rethinking traditional events and practices, the Muir Residents’ Council has decided to change up their quarterly Burnout event, having students bring their own reusable plates and cups to gain admission. In the past, this all finals week event has provided students with an unthinkable amount of delicious free food, on thousands upon thousands of paper plates and using the same amount of Styrofoam cups. To honor the college’s namesake and mission, MRC is now requiring students to bring their own to be admitted in the event, having the option for students to purchase reusable plates and cups for $1 each if they don’t own any. The council hopes other student organizations will follow their example in reducing waste by having the community get involved.

Gift #4
Living The Life: An Environmental Rebel Rouser
Given by Professor Milton Saier, UCSD Biology Department

Professor Saier has contributed many gifts to the cause of environmental awareness and sustainability, including essays/editorials written for two environmental journals, The Environmentalist and Water, Air, Soil Pollution (WASP). He has also prepared two books of essays on environmental issues, Our Precarious Earth and Its Biosphere, Volumes 1 and 2, and teaches BILD18, Human Impact on the Environment, in the Spring quarter each year.  Additionally, Professor Saier teaches two freshman seminars every quarter entitled Our Fragile Biosphere and donates 30% of his income to the United Nations Family Planning Program (UNFPA) and Planned Parenthood International: organizations he supports for their work in favor of population reduction and control.
Saier sponsors the student, faculty, staff, community group, and seminar series entitled "Population Reduction and Earth Preservation" (PREP) at Muir College, and engages in outreach activities on various environmental issues at high schools, junior high schools, some elementary schools, and various community groups. In short, he calls himself an "environmental rebel rouser" and is contributing everything within his ability to achieve sustainability, particularly as regards the one primary cause of what he feels are "all of our problems:" overpopulation.

Gift #3
Dedication of Muir 125 to Environmental Issues
Our Environment: Sacred Space or Revolving Door?
Given by Sara Safdie, Interim Assistant Director and Lecturer, Muir College Writing Program

In order to address this topic, the class will focus, in addition to other issues students might choose to investigate, on what it means to interact with our environment, what impact people have on it, and what we can possibly do to ensure that we maintain biodiversity and the integrity of our natural resources, as well as preserve areas we can turn to for our own revitalization. This course will look at the works of poets, naturalists, Native Americans, and environmental “radicals” to help students formulate their own informed perspective on relevant issues.

Gift #2
Reducing Pollution on the Way to Work
Given by Professor Benjamin Grinstein, UCSD Physics Department

As alternative methods to driving gasoline-fueled cars become more popular, the responsibility of making a change to a more environmentally friendly method of transportation lies with the individual. Professor Grinstein has switched from driving his car to work every day to riding a small motorcycle. This new method of transportation uses far less fuel than a car and correspondingly releases fewer pollutants into the environment. Professor Grinstein hopes others will make an effort to reduce their gasoline consumption by riding smaller vehicles, or using non-gasoline powered alternatives to save the environment during their daily commutes.

Gift #1
Muir College Energy Assessment
Given by the Muir College Staff

To celebrate 40 years of excellence, Muir College is conducting a college-wide office energy assessment. From the data gained from this assessment, the College staff will be more aware of the energy they are using and learn helpful ways to reduce unnecessary energy expenditures and strive to make office operations more sustainable.
Muir hopes this gift will serve as an example to other offices on campus and inspire the greater UCSD community to evaluate its own resource expenditures and work toward reducing natural resource consumption.


John Muir seated in Yosemite - Photo taken by Professor Francis M. Fritz in 1907