As I returned from the holiday break, I was greeted by a most sickening sight. As I walked around the Ease Lagoon, I came upon the stumps of what were once beautiful trees.

I shook my head in utter disbelief that someone could have actually done this.

One constantly hears the discussions of how we have to prevent the destruction of the rain forest and how important it is to preserve our environment

Yet, we destroy the trees around us as if this is a totally unrelated issue. It is not. The geography may have changed, but the principle is the very same.

NIU likes to come across as an academic institution whose purpose it is to develop and demonstrate a higher level of education and leadership abilities to all those it serves.

Is this part of that image as well?

I hope it is not because the only message this conveys to the faculty, students, and possibly most importantly, to local children who skate on the ease lagoon is that the raping of the Earth is okay as long as it is done for the sake of “progress”.

Included with this message is that the destruction of our natural resources is not “my problem” or “my business.” Wrong. It is everyone’s problem and everyone’s business.

I figure this letter will fall on deaf ears. The administration will shrug their shoulders and say something to the effect of, “There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

That’s okay. I don’t want you to explain it to me. When there is nothing left, I want you to look into the eyes of your grandchildren and explain it to them.

Richard “Kyo” Mitchell

Graduate Student