Newly formed office makes campus "green"
By: Emily Barksdale
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: News
With the growing interest in sustainability and "green" practices, Furman has created the office of Sustainability and Environmental Education to further coordinate sustainability issues on campus.
"There increasingly became more need for coordination, collaboration and communication about all the things that are ongoing here," said Angela Halfacre, an associate professor of political science and the director of Sustainability and Environmental Education, in reference to elevated environmental awareness and a plethora of sustainability initiatives on campus, such as the Lake Restoration Project, the organic garden, the Cliffs Cottage, the use of local and organic food in the dining hall and more.
"The way that you and I live our lives is currently unsustainable," said Frank Powell, Professor and Environmental Liaison.
"Speaking as one who has put a lot of time into working on the environmental front...I am very pleased with Furman's commitment to move forward and invest heavily in [this project]," said Powell.
This semester, Powell is taking time off from teaching Health and Exercise Science to work with the office of Sustainability, looking for opportunities for Furman to do environmental work with organizations outside of campus.
"I think we're way behind in ensuring that the brightest in our culture are taught and trained in these areas," said Powell.
The four main facets of the office of Sustainability are curricular activities, co-curricular activities, communication and climate commitment and assessment. "The office serves as a clearinghouse for curricular and co-curricular activities on Furman's campus relating to sustainability," said Halfacre.
The office will be a center of information and organization, overseeing community service opportunities, literature, research opportunities and more. One strategic goal of the university is that all students be environmentally aware citizens upon graduation, she said.
"There increasingly became more need for coordination, collaboration and communication about all the things that are ongoing here," said Angela Halfacre, an associate professor of political science and the director of Sustainability and Environmental Education, in reference to elevated environmental awareness and a plethora of sustainability initiatives on campus, such as the Lake Restoration Project, the organic garden, the Cliffs Cottage, the use of local and organic food in the dining hall and more.
"The way that you and I live our lives is currently unsustainable," said Frank Powell, Professor and Environmental Liaison.
"Speaking as one who has put a lot of time into working on the environmental front...I am very pleased with Furman's commitment to move forward and invest heavily in [this project]," said Powell.
This semester, Powell is taking time off from teaching Health and Exercise Science to work with the office of Sustainability, looking for opportunities for Furman to do environmental work with organizations outside of campus.
"I think we're way behind in ensuring that the brightest in our culture are taught and trained in these areas," said Powell.
The four main facets of the office of Sustainability are curricular activities, co-curricular activities, communication and climate commitment and assessment. "The office serves as a clearinghouse for curricular and co-curricular activities on Furman's campus relating to sustainability," said Halfacre.
The office will be a center of information and organization, overseeing community service opportunities, literature, research opportunities and more. One strategic goal of the university is that all students be environmentally aware citizens upon graduation, she said.