Civility? Worth the Effort?

We hear the term 'civility' a lot these day, a need for it in our politics, a lack of it in our discourse but what is civility and how does it apply practically?

The Coalition for a Better Community posted these helpful tips...


Pay attention

Listen

Speak kindly

Assume the best

Respect others' opinions

Respect other people's time and space

Be inclusive

Acknowledge others

Accept and give praise

Apologize earnestly

Assert yourself

Take responsibility

Accept and give constructive criticism

Refrain from idle complaints

Be a considerate guest


How often are we uncivil and inconsiderate without even realizing it? Civility is confidence and humility, generosity and sacrifice. 
We're gonna try some engaged learning again this month! If you run into a situation that you think exemplifies civility email me the story and I'll post it up! 

Also... WE'RE HAVING A PARTY! Complete with free food, music and games! Come on out to kick pack on April 20th, G Field!


See you there!

Diversity at Furman

This month we're looking at diversity at Furman and I want to hear your thoughts! This month will require a little feedback on your part but in return you will have your name in lights! Or rather in next months blog post :) 
What do you think about diversity at Furman? Do you see diversity at Furman? How would you define diversity? 
Email me your thoughts and responses and I'll select a stellar answer to post next month. 
One of the most famous quotes about diversity is by Maya Angelou who said,

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”

Have you ever looked at a tapestry? Maybe in a museum or in a home? They are incredibly detailed! Without one thread the tapestry would fall apart. It's absolutely essential that all the threads of the tapestry weave together to form a beautiful pictures. If the different colors chose to stay together in blocks of color the beautiful picture that you see above would not be possible. 

Where do you see diversity in your own life? In your classroom, professors? Maybe fellow students or interests?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Recycling at Furman!

Ever wonder what you can put in those recycling bins? 

I know I've been confused about what Furman does and does not recycle!

Here's some helpful tips about what Furman will take care of!

Aluminum cans

Plastic #1 and #2 bottles and jugs

Paper

Cardboard

Wouldn't it be great if every time you recycled this happened?

Why Recycle? 

• 544,000: Trees saved if every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100 percent recycled ones.
• 20 million: Tons of electronic waste thrown away each year. One ton of scrap from discarded computers contains more gold than can be produced from 17 tons of gold ore.
• 9 cubic yards: Amount of landfill space saved by recycling one ton of cardboard.
• $160 billion: Value of the global recycling industry that employs over 1.5 million people.
• 79 million tons: Amount of waste material diverted away from disposal in 2005 through recycling and composting.
• 5 percent: Fraction of the energy it takes to recycle aluminum versus mining and refining new aluminum.
• 315 kg: Amount of carbon dioxide not released into the atmosphere each time a metric ton of glass is used to create new glass products.
• 98 percent: Percentage of glass bottles in Denmark that are refillable. 98 percent of those are returned by consumers for reuse.
• 51.5 percent: Percentage of the paper consumed in the U.S. that was recovered for recycling in 2005.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-recycling.html#numbers