With the recent heat waves and ever-enduring drought in Southern California, the increasing water shortage is a major crisis. As the surrounding community responds to these extreme weather conditions, Azusa Pacific decided to cut back its own use of water as well. Shortly before move-in weekend, the outer lawns of the university went noticeably brown and dry.
Immediately following, signs notified the community of their cuts, stating “Conserving Water Due to Drought Restrictions.” However, lawns and grassy areas not observable from the outside remained healthy and lush. The arrangement met with mixed responses from students and observers and led to one simple but complicated question: Were the choices made just for show?
A recent meme posted to the Facebook forum, “Overheard At APU,” displayed two photos of the campus’ contrasting lawns with Matthew 6:1 superimposed over the thriving lawn. The verse condemns those who do good works simply to gain human attention. The post also showcases several students’ opinions and questions about the motives behind this seemingly self-serving act.
“Is it possible that when it says ‘requirement’ that they were literally required to reduce their water usage? Then, with that in mind, decided to let all the grass that’s there purely to look at die, while keeping the grass we all enjoy alive?” said Taylor Linn in a comment on the post.
“I’m fine if they needed to reduce water but don’t advertise it like you’re proud of yourself for letting your grass die to help when the rest of the grass is just fine,” expressed Savannah Hansen, the creator of the meme.
While some students believe that the signs were posted simply to inform and provide explanation, others argue that it was merely an act of saving face. Despite the heated debate that followed in these many comments, the student body remained left without an answer.
So, what is the truth?
According to Randy Berk, APU manager of landscape services, Azusa Light and Water declared a Phase III water shortage.
“The declaration stated that this is a ‘water emergency situation,’ and that it was imperative for everyone to ‘practice stringent water conservation,'” Berk said.
The city of Azusa quickly implemented water restrictions, starting with the reduction of water consumption by 20 percent, and further progressing into a mandatory watering schedule of just two days a week (Mondays and Fridays). The university acted, since not abiding by these restrictions would result in a fine.
“The outer lawns were selected because, although they have aesthetic appeal, they are not actively used by our student body,” said Berk. “We were already water conscious, and this water schedule by itself would not have created a 20 percent reduction in water for us.”
Berk further explained long-term factors that played into the selection of the outer lawns as well. Due to the dominant presence on the outer lawns of Kikuyu weed-grass, an invasive and predominantly undesirable weed in the Southern California region, the university would not experience great loss.
When drought restrictions are lifted and the process of replanting grass begins, the university intends to proactively take action in preparing for continuing and future droughts by converting a percentage of the area to drought-tolerant non-turf.
“The Phase III restrictions have been very challenging,” said Berk. “Balancing the need to conserve water while trying to maintain an appealing campus environment is very difficult. We are doing our best to be good stewards.”
As more and more rumors continued to circulate regarding this phenomenon, a particularly surprising and infamous lie began to influence the student body’s opinions and frustrations. An unknown source from facilities shared that $8,000 was spent on weed-killers in order to kill the lawn, and solely for appearances. This too, was inaccurate.
In keeping with the facts that Berk shared, the Kikuyu weed-grass was in fact a pest that the university hoped to dispose of. If the decision was to allow the lawns to die, they wanted to be certain that those weeds wouldn’t grow back. Furthermore, solely allowing the grass die by way of dehydration would have resulted in an “uneven and unkept appearance,” said Berk. The exact figure spent on weed killers was $384.03. This is yet another accusation made out of blind passion and lack of information.
With the interest of the student body and its experience in mind, Azusa Pacific works hard in trying to find the right medium. Faced with circumstances outside the school’s control and other numerous factors variously known and unknown to the public, APU staffers respond by making these tough and controversial decisions daily. As with any decision, there are pros and cons.
In an attempt to inform both the Cougar community as well as newcomers and passersby of the purpose behind the dead lawns so blatantly visible, signage was met with accusations and impulsive judgment. Perhaps, in the future, people should consider that sometimes they just do not know the backstory. There are reasons why people hold the positions they do and make the decisions they implement, ones that are sometimes beyond others’ limited insight into any given situation. Maybe, just maybe, those calling the shots have the best in mind.