“Gold is the New Green” according to Sacramento residents in light of the state’s concerning drought and Sacramento State has followed suit.

Along with the “The Grass isn’t Brown, it’s Gold” signs, courtesy of Spare the Water Sacramento, Sac State has taken to the residence halls to bring awareness and action.

Angela Murdoch a spokesperson for Sac State’s Housing and Residential Life, said in August they placed conservation stickers with water saving tips on the bathroom mirrors throughout the halls.

“Our goal in Housing is to make our residents aware of how we can change habits that consequently will conserve our natural resources- water being one of them,” Murdoch said.

According to figures released by Sac State Sustainability and Save Our Water, cutting a 10 minute shower down to five and using a water efficient showerhead can save 12.5 gallons of water.

The figures also showed that 10 gallons per person a day can be saved by turning off running water while brushing teeth or shaving.

Murdoch said in addition, residents can also help by washing full loads of laundry. American River Courtyard residents, who have kitchenettes, can soak their dishes, drain the water and rinse.

She said Housing has been renovating restrooms by incorporating new, lower flow fixtures that reduce the amount of water being used.

The Housing department will also ensure the resident adviser staff will put on more water conservation events and programs throughout the fall semester.

“Our hope is that the messages will get residents thinking about how they use water and ways they can reduce their consumption,” said Murdoch.

Sac State Sustainability and Save Our Water also have signs on the campus encouraging mulching, which is adding an extra layer of material which include plastic sheeting and bark chips to soil. This keeps soil temperatures cool and retains water.

Sac State Sustainability has also organized a Water Conservation Day on Sept. 24 in the library quad.

“Sac State’s mission and values support leadership for sustainability through an emphasis on education for an informed and engaged citizenry,” said Mike Lee Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer. “Partnerships with the community to solve problems and enhance the quality of life in the region, and educational activities and strategies focused on economic development and social organization.”

Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator of Sac State Sustainability Joey Martinez said the event will feature agencies from both on and off-campus who will table booths in order to further educate students about water conservation.

“There will also be displays that illustrate average water consumption and the opportunity to reduce that amount, including at least one display that illustrates how Sac State has striven to reduce its water consumption as well,” Martinez said.

The event will also feature water saving pledges made by members of the Sac State community.

Their calendar of events can be found on their Facebook page and under Sustainability on the Sac State website.

The condition of the state’s drought relies not only on all residents, but also on the proactive conservation by Sac State students.

“We are all in this together,” Murdoch said.