Newswise — Ohio's first undergraduate major in sustainability--a discipline to help identify effective development to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs—is being introduced this fall at Baldwin-Wallace College.
The new major is an outgrowth of both student interest and campus commitment to environmental responsibility. Since 2006 a campus Sustainability Committee, composed of students, faculty and staff, has coordinated and encouraged "green" practices at B-W. A number of recent graduates, including two in 2008, designed their own majors with a concentration on the topic.
The interdisciplinary major, which includes study in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and business administration, recently received approval from the Ohio Board of Regents. Professors David Krueger (business) and Sabina Thomas (biology and geology) are the program co-directors.
"With no departmental 'home,' the sustainability major can equip our graduates to live, work and lead in a real world that often defies classic academic compartmentalization. Students will learn to become flexible, literate problem-solvers who can create real social change, said Krueger, holder of the Spahr Chair in Managerial and Corporate Ethics, and a major force behind the development of the sustainability major.
The new major has six components: a mandatory introductory course; introductory core courses in the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities or business administration; an upper-level track in those same areas; an experiential component such as an internship with a corporation; a capstone course, and assignment and interaction with a local professional mentor. An external advisory council, whose members' work and organizations are devoted to the sustainability movement, will lend their expertise and advice to enrich the program.
As issues surrounding sustainability continue to grow, those who have the knowledge and creativity to develop solutions that preserve our planet for future generations will be in great demand," said Thomas.
B-W already has made significant changes to reduce the environmental footprint of the campus."¢ More than 40 percent reduction in paper consumption"¢ Installation of a composter to take all food services food waste out of the waste stream."¢ Chemistry professor Joseph Gorse and senior Dean Glass are working on a method to convert used fryer oil to biodiesel fuel, which could fuel some College trucks and tractors. "¢ The use of biodegradable disposables in food service"¢ First residence hall in Ohio with geo-thermal heating and cooling"¢ A commitment to green building design in future college projects"¢ Installation of energy technologies to reduce electricity consumption"¢ An Enhanced recycling system that has increased the recycling content by 500 percent"¢Increased availability of bike racks on campus to discourage vehicle useFor more information, go to www.bw.edu/news/sustainmajor or www.bw.edu/academics/sustainability
RSS