The death of Bambi’s mother has caused more than a few shed tears since the classic movie’s release, yet few realize they are only a discarded soda bottle or candy wrapper away from causing a similar tragedy for local wildlife. A new, stricter campus litter policy has recently been added to the Student Handbook in order to combat environmental detriments caused by pollution as well as maintain the aesthetic quality of campus. “It is unfortunate, but there is too much litter in parking lots and throughout campus, making new regulation necessary,” said Eric Summers, interim director of Student Conduct. “However, we hope that our Southeastern family will work to keep campus beautiful, and we never have to actually enforce sanctions related to the policy.” Violators of this policy must choose between a penalty of a $50 fine or 10 hours of community service. Repeat offenders may face additional penalties as decided by the Office Student Conduct. “Littering was already a Student Code of Conduct violation meaning students were subject to disciplinary actions for littering,” said Summers. “However, there was no policy which governed the entire campus community as well as visitors.” According to an article written by environmental consultant and educator Roberta Barbalace, local wildlife is often put at risk as a result of littering. Discarded trash can hurt, choke, poison, trap and kill animals. Additionally, excess litter creates a visually unappealing and unsanitary environment for residents. Despite these consequences, the Faculty Senate sought revision of the new litter policy at its initial drafting. The Faculty Senate voiced a number of concerns, including that the new policy was too harsh and that there was not a clear understanding of how the policy was to be enforced. “I did hear about [the Faculty Senate requested revision], but I was not included in those conversations,” said Summers. “Once we recommend a new policy, the proposal is vetted by a number of groups before approval by the University President. This means that the recommended policy will be edited several times before the final draft is enacted. Through that process a service component was added as an option for violators in lieu of paying a monetary fine.” Summers hopes the policy will instill respect for Southeastern’s campus, the community and wildlife in the surrounding area. “The enthusiastic group of students that participated in the Big Event is proof that our students take pride in this university,” said Summers. “We hope that their efforts and this policy actually serve as an educational tool making the few that litter aware of the harm that their actions cause to our campus. The policy may sound punitive, but no one actually has to pay a fine or do service for violating the litter policy if they never actually litter.”