2008 Woodie Awards
Discourse takes on student, global focus
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
DePauw Discourse began in September of 2004 with one simple goal - to engage the campus in intellectual discussion and debate. The topics spoken of during past discourses have ranged from the War in Iraq to the presidential campaign to the state of human rights.
When Discourse first began, we were critical of the purpose of the event. Was its goal really to engage our campus or to bring back alumni with deep pockets? The focus of the speakers and the timing of the events led many to believe that it wasn't necessarily about teaching or engaging the current student body.
However, we are glad to be proven wrong. Discourse has evolved into something that is truly an asset to both the alumni and the campus community. Never has there been such a wide range of speakers - researchers, authors, filmmakers and bureaucrats - included as there is in this year's events. More importantly, never have we had a discourse topic so relevant to our campus and our generation: "Sustainability and Global Citizenship."
As we begin to promote discussions of sustainability on our campus, though, it's important that we look at what sustainability really means. Can we sustain the way of life we live now or do we have to change our ways, make our current footprint smaller? We at The DePauw believe the evidence points to the latter.
It begins in small ways. Making sure to recycle all of the beer cans from last night's party instead of throwing them in the trash. Making the switch from Styrofoam to something else. Pushing the University to use more energy-saving light bulbs in University residences (or buying them yourself). Walking to the Lilly Center for that annoyingly early gym class instead of driving your car.
The University and President Robert G. Bottoms chose to make sustainability a priority of this academic year - why? We need to ask ourselves why this topic is important to us as college students, as 20-year-olds, as activists. It's no coincidence that when Ralph Nader came to campus last week, he chose to speak of the power of our generation to create change. Sustainability is the charge that must be taken up by our generation if we want to provide a livable world for the next generations.
We might ask ourselves, how do we make sustainability work on our campus? The answer is, some of us already have begun to make it work. But campus organizations like VegCo and the Environmental Club are not the only organizations who should be focused on sustainability. We ask that every organization, whether it be Physics Club or the Association for African-American Students, look at how they can be more sustainable. It cannot be the job of just a few, but the mission of many that will allow us to make a change on this campus. and in the world.
When Discourse first began, we were critical of the purpose of the event. Was its goal really to engage our campus or to bring back alumni with deep pockets? The focus of the speakers and the timing of the events led many to believe that it wasn't necessarily about teaching or engaging the current student body.
However, we are glad to be proven wrong. Discourse has evolved into something that is truly an asset to both the alumni and the campus community. Never has there been such a wide range of speakers - researchers, authors, filmmakers and bureaucrats - included as there is in this year's events. More importantly, never have we had a discourse topic so relevant to our campus and our generation: "Sustainability and Global Citizenship."
As we begin to promote discussions of sustainability on our campus, though, it's important that we look at what sustainability really means. Can we sustain the way of life we live now or do we have to change our ways, make our current footprint smaller? We at The DePauw believe the evidence points to the latter.
It begins in small ways. Making sure to recycle all of the beer cans from last night's party instead of throwing them in the trash. Making the switch from Styrofoam to something else. Pushing the University to use more energy-saving light bulbs in University residences (or buying them yourself). Walking to the Lilly Center for that annoyingly early gym class instead of driving your car.
The University and President Robert G. Bottoms chose to make sustainability a priority of this academic year - why? We need to ask ourselves why this topic is important to us as college students, as 20-year-olds, as activists. It's no coincidence that when Ralph Nader came to campus last week, he chose to speak of the power of our generation to create change. Sustainability is the charge that must be taken up by our generation if we want to provide a livable world for the next generations.
We might ask ourselves, how do we make sustainability work on our campus? The answer is, some of us already have begun to make it work. But campus organizations like VegCo and the Environmental Club are not the only organizations who should be focused on sustainability. We ask that every organization, whether it be Physics Club or the Association for African-American Students, look at how they can be more sustainable. It cannot be the job of just a few, but the mission of many that will allow us to make a change on this campus. and in the world.
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