THE USD VISTA

Gala 2023 Meows,

define this year’s Met

It’s been about eight months since the Princeton Review dubbed USD as the most beautiful college campus of 2023, marking the first time USD has ranked No. 1 in four years. USD reclaimed its place at the top of the list of 25 schools, beating out 387 other universities in the running. The university has initiated a multitude of changes since this award, most namely the tearing up of the Valley Field for the construction of the new Wellness Center, set to arrive in fall 2024. Despite these advancements, being No. 1 also comes with economic and environmental costs; while many students are proud of the accomplishment, other students remain concerned about the potential negative impacts of the university’s aesthetic pursuit.

One ongoing concern regarding the campus’s sustainability is the water usage. As the rainy season passes and the sunny summer days loom upon the school, the demand for water will soon increase again.

USD sophomore Nikki Cardino was drawn to campus because of its beauty, but questions the sustainability of the university’s maintenance practices.

“When I was applying to the school, I would go to all the information sessions, and they seemed more environmentally friendly than they [actually] are,” Cardino said. “There’s always issues with the water systems. Everywhere I look, there’s a broken sprinkler that’s just spewing water everywhere.”

USD senior Sara Timney was also concerned with the university’s water usage, specifically the athletic fields.

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