I was pleased to read about the university's desire to cut costs ("Penn State employees work on saving money," March 31 article). Particularly interesting was the quote suggesting that belt tightening has positive environmental ramifications like reducing trash and energy use. Here's another simple and effective way to save money and decrease pollution: reduce the use of lawn mowers and leaf blowers.

Recently, I was dismayed, but not surprised, to see Office of Physical Plant workers "beautifying" the landscape by removing leaves from lawns and underneath shrubs with their leaf blowers. Besides the noise generated, the use of leaf blowers requires fuel which costs money. What is the benefit of such leaf removal? One could argue that there is an aesthetic improvement in the grounds. However, when leaves are removed from lawns, muddy patches are uncovered that are more unsightly and messy than the leaves.

If left in place, the leaves would decompose and return nutrients to the soil as natural fertilizers. This would reduce the need for applying fertilizers later, also a cost-saving measure. The university could also reduce the amount of lawn mowing on campus this summer. Rather than every week, mow once a month. In some locations, limiting mowing to once a summer would permit flowers to grow and add color. This would beautify the campus at no cost and reduce spending on gas.

Such measures are the most simple the university could undertake: They require no work but rather are the stoppage of unnecessary work. The campus air would become quieter and cleaner.