OREM, UTAH – As an engaged learning project, a group of Utah Valley University (UVU) communications students launched their “Give the Gift of Clean Air” campaign with a press conference on Nov. 30 at the Orem (FrontRunner) Central Station asking students, faculty, and staff to use their university credentials to ride public transit for free.

Utah’s Fox13, ABC4, KSL-TV, KUER, Deseret News, and the Daily Herald covered the event, helping the students convey their message to a wider community audience.

The campaign was created by UVU students Caitlin Bennett, Ashley Jones, Gordon McKay, Kiersten Thomson, Emery Williams, and others in collaboration with Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to raise awareness about how riding public transportation can clean the air and help those who suffer from pollution-related illnesses.

Jones, the campaign co-creator, opened the press conference by discussing the reasons behind their campaign, followed by fellow student and campaign creator Bennett, who shared her personal story of how Utah’s poor air quality induces intense asthma attacks.

“For most, December consists of 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping,” said Bennett, “but for me, December consists of 12 emergency room visits, 11 IVs, and ten calls to my mom letting her know that I am in the hospital because of the air quality in Utah County. 

“I have always had this hateful relationship towards the winter in northern Utah because, for me, that equaled sickness. I had no control over it. The winter meant more asthma attacks, more breathing treatments, and more IVs.”

Local leaders including Vineyard Mayor Julie Fullmer and UTA Regional General Manager Mary DeLaMare-Schaefer voiced their support for the campaign and encouraged people to choose public transportation over cars and trucks. Thomas Bretz, environmental ethics fellow at UVU’s Center for the Study of Ethics and a member of the university’s sustainability committee, and Frank Young, the vice president of UVU Facilities and Planning, voiced their support for the campaign and the sustainability efforts at all of UVU’s campuses.

DeLaMare-Schaefer pointed out that, since the UVX Rapid Bus Transit system came online in 2019, 3,335,000 pounds of CO2 have been reduced, and gasoline for cars and trucks has been reduced by 170,000 gallons.

“Whatever UVU does, it doesn’t just impact air, water, and soil. It also actually sets an example of what can and can’t be expected from public institutions and from the community,” said Bretz. “UVU has committed to being carbon neutral by 2050, [and] we are projected by next year, 2023, to derive 92% of our electricity from solar. We have a field station in Capitol Reef, which is a really great learning tool to actually practice sustainable living. And we have a lot of different classes and programs linked to sustainability and environmental thinking.”

At the conclusion of the press conference, the students asked the crowd to take a pledge to ride public transport at least once this winter. “It takes individuals who are willing to take the pledge and make a difference,” said Mayor Fullmer. “Vineyard supports you in this pledge and I personally will be taking this pledge with you today.” The students then went onto UVU’s Orem Campus to encourage their peers and UVU faculty to also take the pledge and learn more about their campaign.