Happy post-THON, everyone. After an incredible weekend, I want to say something that needs to be heard. Whether you’re standing with Greek life, a club sport, an organization, or attending as a spectator, please pick up your trash.

OPPerations is the committee responsible for setting up and tearing down THON, as well as working shifts throughout the weekend to maintain a clean environment at the Bryce Jordan Center. After 46 hours of celebrating, OPPerations was tasked with the cleanup, and it was atrocious. Many deemed it the worst they had ever seen and were truly shocked by the amount of trash left behind. Teardown began at 4:30 p.m. Sunday and did not conclude until 3:30 a.m. Monday, nearly twelve hours of cleaning with classes the next morning. 

The amount of garbage left under the seats and throughout the lower bowl was overwhelming. Trash and recycling were stuffed beneath and in chairs and scattered across the aisles. It took multiple trips just to haul everything out, along with four full rounds of sweeping, followed by seat sanitation and mopping. While the job on this committee is to clean up, it should not become an exhausting effort when spectators can take preventable measures. 

Portal sweeps happen throughout THON. Committee members walk through each section asking for trash. Please take advantage of that. If you’re not going to finish your food or drink, throw it away. Don’t let it rot under your seat for someone else to handle later. Even if the trash near you isn’t yours, be a good human and toss it anyway.

This goes far beyond just keeping the arena clean. When THON families walk into the BJC, they should see a space that is safe, clean, and enjoyable. A clean arena sends a message that we respect this mission and the space in which we complete it. 

Since no one wants to scrape your smushed french fries off the floor, mop up your spilled Celsius, or throw away your dirty underwear (yes, that actually happened), here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind for future THON weekends:

• If you bring it into the stands, take it out too. Being responsible for your own items makes volunteers’ lives much easier.
• If a trash can is full, find another one. Please don’t shove trash into an overflowing can or leave it on the floor nearby.
• Collect trash in your row. Gather the row’s trash together and place it at the end of your row so committee members can easily pick it up.
• Bring only what you truly need. If it’s not a necessity or you don’t plan to use it, consider leaving it at home.

Let’s respect the space and volunteers as we show our pride For The Kids.