Students May Find Water Cheaper When Going Green

By Broadside Interim Asst. News Editor Kevin Loker

As the end of the semester draws closer, some George Mason University students are finally realizing that paying 30 cents a day for a plastic cup of water at La Patisserie may just be adding up. Moreover, some are disgruntled.

“It’s bull,” said freshman biology major Nyssa Fin, “I don’t get why I have to pay for a free commodity. Isn’t it a standard to be given water at a restaurant if you ask for it?”

Resident District Manager of Dining Services Denise Ammaccapane says complaints like these are only partially justified.

“Water is a free commodity,” Ammaccapane said, “but in the Johnson Center, for instance, what we charge for is for the cost of the lid, the cup and so on. And that’s consistent across all college campuses.”

While a paper cup may potentially be cheaper, it is policy for them to be made from clear plastic. “In order for staff to see that the cups are only used for water, this has to be,” said Ammaccapane, “Nonetheless, it gets expensive. That’s why we started the greening bottles.”

Last spring, Student Government’s Food Committee approached Ammaccapane and dining services with student concern for the price of water and soda on campus.

The committee worked to design a container similar to the refillable coffee travelers. The end-result resembled a Nalgene bottle, only in one shade, green.

Mason’s greening bottles hold 16 ounces of liquid and can be refilled at any of Mason’s soda fountains without the 30 cent charge.

For less than $5, students can purchase the bottles at either of the campus’ convenience stores, Patriot Express and the One Stop Patriot Shop. Since their release, over 1,000 greening bottles have been sold.

“The Mason refillable bottles are not expensive, you get a free soda when you buy it, and you get free water or discounted prices on soda every time you use the bottle,” said Nicole Kukuruda, a senior government major and Student Government member. “I fail to see a sensible reason not to purchase one.”

Freshman mathematics major Kristen Steinman is one of many new Mason students who have realized that a cup of water everyday can add up. To her, Mason’s greening bottle was a cost-effective and environmentally more-friendly way to get water on campus.

“They are a great investment. I don’t have to spend money on those cups ever again.” said Steinman, “That is, of course, especially if you can remember it. Unfortunately, I always seem to leave it in my room.”