This video shows how the TRAC program developed into an important part of the Lehigh community, and why it could be valuable to implement similar programs in other colleges and universities. The TRAC program is unique in the way it puts great trust and confidence in the capabilities of undergraduate students. It raises the question of what good can be served to academic communities through promoting this student agency and leadership.

I still have a lot to do to form this video into a story. To start off the video, I plan on using voice over and quick clips of many students engaging in learning. It will be overlapped with uplifting music and some general statements about the benefits of valuing the intelligence and capability of undergraduate students. This will then transition to Greg’s interview, where he talks about how this idea has been implemented at Lehigh through the TRAC program. I overall need more B-roll to show more visual elements (get all of the necessary shots, use some close ups showing the TRAC process and conferences). I plan on shooting more clips of one of our seminars later today. I also have an interview scheduled with another TRAC fellow, which will provide more perspective on why this program is beneficial to students. Here, I want to emphasize that the trust that this program instills in us as TRAC fellows does wonders to boost self-esteem and self-efficacy. To conclude the story with a “so what,” I want to emphasize the idea that this value placed on undergraduate students should lead the way in a shift in academic culture; by implementing similar programs in colleges and universities across the country, we would be able to elevate student-based learning on a large scale.

Dylan Dansky, a 3rd year student at Lehigh, discusses her experience living off-campus, and both the freedoms and the responsibilities it comes with.

Through my experience during the pandemic, I was able to find positive aspects by reflecting on some of the discoveries I made in the midst of the challenges and drawbacks. I learned that by taking time away from my busy, hectic lifestyle, I was able to spend valuable time with family, rediscover my passions for art and music, and focus on creating a healthy and active lifestyle.

The lookout on Lower Sayre Road in Bethlehem, Pa. shows a wide view down to Lehigh’s campus and the surrounding Bethlehem area on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Located near the fraternity and sorority houses, this lookout spot is a popular destination for Lehigh students to appreciate the beauty of the area. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

Rachel Leidich takes in the beautiful atmosphere of Lehigh’s Goodman Campus in Bethlehem, Pa. on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Leidich and her friends consider Goodman Campus to be a great place to decompress and enjoy the fresh air and open fields. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

A Lehigh student sits on the UC front lawn on Lehigh’s campus in Bethlehem, Pa. on Wednesday, Oct. 6th. Lehigh students are commonly found sitting and walking through this central part of campus by Linderman Library. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

Three members of Lehigh’s Track Team run through the field at Goodman Campus in Bethlehem, Pa. on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Lehigh Athletics teams practice on the fields at Goodman Campus regularly. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

A sign on Lower Sayre Road on Lehigh’s campus in Bethlehem, Pa. warns students of a littering fine on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. The university takes such measures to ensure the campus remains clean and safe. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

The backyard of a student’s off-campus house on East 5th Street, Bethlehem, Pa. is shown defiled with litter on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Many off-campus houses are poorly kept and contain litter on and around the property. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

A man oversees construction on East 5th Street in Bethlehem, Pa. on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. There are multiple construction sites on and around Lehigh’s campus which destroy the preexisting plant life in those areas. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

Lehigh students Dylan Dansky, Abigail Ross, Rachel Leidich and Dani Fisher walk along Van Buren Street in Bethlehem, Pa. on Wednesday, Oct. 6th. These students consider these off-campus streets to be their homes-away-from-home. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

A trash bin overflows outside of a home on East 5th Street in Bethlehem, Pa. on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Many trash bins by off-campus houses tend to overflow, leaving trash in and around the streets. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

An old, shattered mirror and a pair of sweatpants lie alongside Van Buren Street in Bethlehem, Pa. on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. Many off-campus streets contain misplaced personal items that were not properly disposed of. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

The very end of East 5th Street in Bethlehem, Pa. provides an ample view of Lehigh’s off-campus environment on Tuesday, Oct. 5th. This street is highly populated with Lehigh students and serves as the place where they reside and party. (J24, Brooke Bisceglia)

Our understanding of human behavior is largely based on observations of the interaction between humans and their environment. We can observe so many ways in which humans act in harmony with nature and also ways in which we defile it. With some major environmental issues at the forefront of today’s news climate, it is important to reflect on these relationships within our community: between Lehigh students and both Lehigh’s campus and the surrounding Bethlehem environment.

Within a five mile radius of campus, there is plentiful visual evidence of both positive and negative interactions with nature. Our campus is trademarked by breathtaking landscaping and greenery, yet our off-campus streets are defaced with beer bottles and overflowing trash bins. As a private institution, the university values the upkeep of our campus and cares about how it represents the Lehigh community. Junior Lehigh students Dani Fisher and Grace Cline agreed that our on-campus environment is generally cleaner because students assume less responsibility to care for the off-campus environment. Fisher said, “We use this (off-campus) as our playground during the nighttime,” and, “I definitely think we could be more mindful in terms of littering.”

In the midst of constant human advancement, I find it grounding to bring the focus back to our roots and observe the beautiful symbiotic nature of humans and the environment. However, in searching for the beauty in this relationship, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the many ways in which we not only neglect our environment, but actively destroy it. All relationships require active care in order to thrive, and our relationship with each aspect of the world around us is no different– as Lehigh students, we must take pride in protecting the beautiful environment in which we live.