Surrounded by an enthusiastic and seemingly thirsty group of seniors and other California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) students, the Class of 2015 unveiled its Senior Class Gift on May 7, the first of four new clean water drinking stations to be installed on campus.
The unveiling of the filtered water station took place in a high-traffic outdoor hallway on the second floor the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) building. The event included brief remarks and a table full of water bottles ready for students to grab and fill with fresh and free water at the end of the ceremony.
“I like the clean water drinking stations because they’re convenient for the students to get fresh water,” said senior Angela M. Scott, a CSUDH business administration major. “To me, most regular water fountains taste like there is mildew or something in the water, and to get fresh water we had to walk all the way to the Loker Student Union (LSU). So to have this here in this convenient place is perfect.”
There are tentative plans for two of the other three remaining new clean water drinking stations donated by the Class of 2015; one to be installed on the second floor of the university library and another on the first floor of Welch Hall. The fourth clean water drinking station’s location is still being considered.
The SBS clean water drinking stations brings the total number currently on campus up to three. The other two are located in the LSU and in the athletics Field House, both of which were not paid for by the senior class gift.
“I’m really happy with how far we have come and was very excited when I found out we’d have four water stations on our campus,” said Jesica Rodriguez, executive vice president for Associated Students, Inc., at the event. “It’s great to know we’re giving something back to all the incoming freshman and everyone else on campus. These water stations will be something that will be in use for a very long time. Thanks again for your donations.”
Funds to purchase and build the clean water drinking stations were raised through the Class of 2015 iGave Senior Giving Campaign, which asked seniors to contribute a gift of $20.15, or more. More than $4,700 was raised by approximately 200 seniors.
The Class of 2015 raised more money for its senior gift than any class before, according to David Gamboa, interim director of the Office of Alumni Relations and director of the Office of Government and Community Relations at CSUDH.
“We encourage seniors to leave a legacy gift to their campus so future generations of students can enjoy their generosity. A few years ago, we started out with laptop computers in the library, then equipment for the fitness room,” said Gamboa during the unveiling. “We surveyed the seniors this time around and found they wanted a clean water drinking stations, but due to your remarkable efforts—instead of one station—you’ll get four.”
The Class of 2015 partnered with Facilities Services to maintain the clean water drinking stations indefinitely.
Each clean water drinking stations features a digital bottle counter that shows the number of 16-ounce bottles that have been filled there, or the approximate number of plastic bottles that won’t end up in a landfill, according to John Epps, associate director of the Physical Plant who helped unveil the SBS station.
“It wasn’t difficult to install the water station because there used to be an old drinking fountain there, so we had the water. Now it’s just filtered and pristine,” said Epps. “The clean water drinking stations already on campus are very popular. The one in the student union is probably the most popular. We are trying to encourage protecting the environment. We’re thinking in very sustainable ways.”
