Michael J. Fox looks to the future in support of Shaheen

As actor and activist Michael J. Fox stood in front of a packed crowd in the Granite State Room at UNH on Sept. 23, it was obvious that Parkinson’s Disease has not affected his sense of humor.

“I would like to take a moment to appreciate the UNH Wildcats’ Hockey Team,” said Fox. “Being from Canada, I always said I was going to be a professional hockey player when I grew up ... I’m still waiting.”

Parkinson’s disease, a chronic and progressive movement disorder, slows down the delivery of messages from the brain to the body, resulting in tremors, stiffness of the limbs, slowness of movement and impaired balance and/or coordination, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s Web site. The cause of Parkinson’s disease is currently unknown and scientists have yet to find a cure.

Fox, who heads a foundation that has funded more than $126 million toward finding better Parkinson’s treatments, made his speech in support of Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, a candidate to represent New Hampshire in the United States Senate.

Fox campaigned with Shaheen because she supports the advancement of science through the development of embryonic stem cell research. “It’s time to let scientists be innovative and resourceful with no political barriers,” said Fox.

Many scientists believe human embryonic stem cell research can be used to find a cure for many debilitating chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s. For Shaheen, who campaigned for stem cell research in 2002, it is an issue that directly affects her family. In 2002, her granddaughter Elle was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes.
“I think it is important for kids like Elle and for millions of Americans dealing with the illnesses to have the benefits of the best health care and the best possible research that offers hope and health,” said Shaheen.

Shaheen said her opponent, Republican Sen. John Sununu, was the only senator to stand against a bill that would have eased restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. She said she is ready to do everything she can to encourage researchers to find cures.

“We’ve lost seven years of potential advancement, seven years to develop cures,” said Shaheen. “(It’s time) to support embryonic research.” The election for U.S. Senate will be held on Nov. 4. More information about Parkinson’s can be found online at www.pdf.org.

dining halls consider going trayless

As diners return to UNH and follow their usual dining hall routines, many will wonder: Where are all the trays? Some will search endlessly, wondering if it’s Trayless Tuesday, while others will realize the trays in some halls have been removed for good.

As part of a university-wide effort to reduce food waste and help the environment, Stillings Hall has already decided to be completely trayless. By removing the trays, they can reduce overall cost and waste production by up to 30 percent, according to UNH dining director Jon Plodzik.

“(Going trayless) reduces roughly a half-gallon of water use per tray in the washing cycle,” said Plodzik. “That could equate to over 1.15 million gallons of water use in dining per year. It reduces staffing because it makes our dish crews more efficient, not handling the large trays. It reduces chemical use in the dish machine. And it has been proven to reduce food waste from 10 to 30 percent, which is good for everyone.”

From past results, dining services have found that an average person generates 1.75 ounces of waste per meal. Approximately 25,000 to 40,000 pounds of food waste are collected per month during the academic year. Other industry studies indicate that each person wastes more than five pounds of food per year, according to Plodzik.

But not everyone is a fan of going trayless. Sophomore Dennis Faucher, a frequent diner at Holloway, dreads trayless dining because of the inconvenience it brings. “It’s hard enough to make your way through HoCo during its rush hour,” said Faucher, “let alone having to do it with no tray while juggling a plate, a cup and silverware around with you.”

But, by mediating food waste, meal plan prices should remain relatively flat in coming years.