Students Making a Difference as They Leave Campus

As graduating University of Scranton students prepare for their next step, they leave behind a place they called home for the last four years, but they take important lessons with them. Students have gained lifelong friendships during their time at the University. This community has also helped them to learn the importance of helping others and reducing waste.

Students who live off-campus typically must furnish an entire bedroom – if not a whole house – with furniture that they will leave behind in just two short years.

Students have found a way to save money and reduce waste by reselling – or even donating -furniture and household appliances in these off-campus houses to the next batch of “incoming” off-campus residents.

Students have developed an informal way of doing this.

The main way students connect is through word of mouth with whomever is moving into their house next. They often talk and agree on an affordable price for their furniture/house appliances with the next tenants.

Students also network with their friends and other members of the University community to spread the word about items available. Some graduating students even post items on Facebook group chats with pictures, hoping that word can spread that way too.

University students also donate bedding, clothing, decorations and a host of other smaller items through the End of the Year Drive organized by the Center of Service and Social Justice. This organized effort places donation boxes throughout campus to make it convenient for students to donate, rather than discard, items.

Although we live in a “throw away” culture, by reusing furniture and other items, University of Scranton students can make a difference to reduce waste when they move out at graduation.