CUPPS confessions Nate Swanson Just last week, I finally achieved my ultimate goal here at Calvin. No, it’s not the bachelor of science degree, getting published in Chimes, finding a good sandwich or even a mate. No, my ultimate goal was to discover a creative and effective method of tethering my CUPPS mug to my backpack. The easiest way to do this is to use a carabiner. You know, those ‘D’-shaped clips that mountain and rock climbers use. However, I didn’t want to look like a climber wanna-be: I’d get my mug hooked up with the carabiner, and would be confidently walking out of the snack shop when they’d see me. “You poser!” they’d shout derisively, burying me under a furious barrage of sandals and hackey sacks. So, on my own, I developed a system involving a velcro strap and one of the belt clips from my backpack. You don’t live with engineering majors for two years and come away empty-handed. And I am very proud of this arrangement. It clips right onto the all but useless belt-strap, a feature of my backpack I’ve neglected since the first grade. Lacking a clipping mechanism is a problem, senior Steve TenElshof laments, “I lose mine every day...usually by 2nd hour.” The clipping is very important to me, since I am very attached to my CUPPS mug. Although they are easy enough to replace, I have invested a lot of stickers into my mug. Like many seniors, my CUPPS cup bears a wide selection of stickers ranging from WCAL to local bands to Bill the Cat, along with the requisite apple label. Junior Taryn Sekula loves the stickers on her mug “because even though everyone has one, they make yours special.” Reflecting on my own CUPPS decoration choices, and comparing them to others’, I developed a theory of how possession and adornment of the CUPPS is almost directly correlated to class level. Consider: Most freshman (or First Year Students, as they are now designated by the administrative powers that be) hardly ever use their CUPPS. Since they eat most meals at Commons or Knollcrest, they have no need to carry around bulky mugs of refreshing beverages. Sophomores, however, occasionally utilize their mugs, if only to avail themselves of 35 cent drinks at Johnny’s. Typically, it isn’t until students achieve junior status that they begin to carry their CUPPS mugs just about everywhere, quaffing most of their drinks from thermally insulated, environmentally friendly vessels. By senior year, many Calvin students have grown extremely affectionate towards their CUPPS cups. Some chain the CUPPS lids to the CUPPS handles, “dress” their mugs with stickers, and, like myself, develop creative ways of carrying their CUPPS when not in use. All three of these behaviors are eerily reminiscent of young yuppie parents and how they care for their babies. So what is it about CUPPS mugs? How do you lain the upperclassmens’ love affair with their plastic steins? Obviously, the available discounts are a big factor. Freshman Matt Moffitt describes his mug as a “nice free thing, and useful for saving money,” but his attitude towards his cup does not approach the intensity of Steve Kinsel who feels his decorated mug “incorporates different personalities and reflects my attitudes.” The junior from New York adds, “I take it everywhere; I’m proud of it.” Presumably, he wants everyone to gain valuable insight into his persona via his stickers of Sesame Street’s Burt and several mellow Grateful Dead Bears. The uses for CUPPS mugs extend beyond simply allowing students to save money. Senior Michelle Kooy, who heads up the Environmental Stewardship Coalition wants students to recognize that there’s more to CUPPS than saving money. “The whole purpose is to promote the use of reusable containers...when students use the mugs but then get water in Styrofoam cups, it sort of negates having the CUPPS. The discounts are to encourage students to limit their use of disposable cups.” She adds that the same applies to silverware. Students could further reduce waste by bringing their own silverware. Although Student Senate has yet to investigate special silverware discounts, (Imagine saving $1 on Ben & Jerry’s by utilizing your reusable SPOONS spoon!) they are actively pursuing other options. President Joanna Forney and Treasurer Jeralyn DeVries both confirmed that the Senate is looking into the possibility of reducing the price of CUPPS drinks back to 25 cents. However, dapper finance chair Brandon Wood remained mysteriously silent. Aside from using CUPPS to avoid unneccesary waste and to save money, several alternative uses have also been discovered. Senior Brian Lavery admits to playing soccer with his mug, while Andrew Busch advises using them for plants: “We had a cactus in there for a while.” This is particularly admirable, since every plant helps the environment by producing oxygen as well as beautifying a dorm room. Sophomore Hannah Morris admits to using hers to store Beanie Babies, thereby preventing the wasteful use of corrugated cardboard boxes. Obviously, CUPPS mugs are one of the most valuable and well-loved objects on Calvin’s Campus. We all look forward to the day when CUPPS mugs replace dorms as low-cost, efficient and environmentally friendly housing.