Diverse group discusses meaning of sustainability at 'You in Mizzou'
by Monica Everett, posted March 23, 2010
“What does sustainability mean to you?” This was the central question of the You in Mizzou dialogue held Feb. 24 in Stotler Lounge. The goal: to gather a diverse group of MU students, faculty members and staff to discuss possible answers to this question on MU’s campus.
Approximately 20 students, faculty members and staff voiced their opinions, worries and goals for sustainability at the event sponsored by the MU Sustainability Office. Facilitators from the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative directed the conversation. According to its Web site, the mission of the initiative is “to enhance institutional diversity through collaborative partnerships and strategic efforts that promote inclusive excellence and a welcoming campus.”
The participants, who ranged from undergraduate freshman to doctoral candidates to professors, discussed the many aspects of sustainability on both local and global levels.
Cherith Moore, a student sustainability coordinator in the Sustainability Office, said she had expected the conversation to be abstract and philosophical but was pleased when participants actually presented concrete solutions.
Moore organized the event with the help of two researchers through the Sustainability Office, Christine Coester and Lauren Wasinger. Moore observed the groups from afar and let the participants explore their ideas with the help of the facilitators, who described themselves as not experts, teachers or authorities.
Some responses to the meaning of sustainability were long and lofty, emphasizing environmental consciousness and a shared responsibility of present actions that could affect future generations.
Robin Hubbard, an MU doctoral student and active Columbia community member, described sustainability simply as “reduce, reuse, repurpose, rebuild.”
At first, the conversation focused on global issues of overpopulation and biodiversity, but as it developed, participants directed their ideas toward MU and the surrounding community.
Hubbard is especially concerned about the divide between the MU campus and Columbia. She said it is important to bridge this gap in order to maintain institutional memory because students pass through the university so quickly. The city could aid in providing stability to future sustainability programs at MU, especially now that a Sustainability Coordinator for the city, Barbara Buffaloe, has been hired.
Mike Burden, the campus Peace Corps recruiter said that culture change could help improve sustainability.
“What we see reinforces behavior,” he said. He also emphasized that stronger efforts will be necessary to make a real difference.
“Awareness is good but we need some policy change,” Burden said.
Hubbard agreed, encouraging students to register in Columbia to vote in upcoming elections. Despite these strong opinions, most participants focused on awareness as the next step forward.
At the close of the discussion, the main themes expressed focused on small manageable steps that will lead to greater education, awareness and promotion of sustainable campus efforts. Participants also proposed new projects for the Sustainability Office to initiate, including a better public transportation system, incorporating local food into the dining halls and sustainable housing. Participants emphasized the need to provide alternatives and options for students, staff and faculty members to lead a more sustainable life.
Creating a truly sustainable campus and community will take time, but “it starts like this,” Hubbard said of the meeting.
When the participants first arrived, they were given a sheet of paper with an overview of how the dialogue would proceed. It included a quote from Anthony D’Angelo: “I believe our minds are like parachutes. They only work if they are open.”
This You in Mizzou session succeeded in examining diverse perspectives through thoughtful dialogue instead of argumentative debate, even when participants openly disagreed.
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