University's Mission Consistent with Location

Is Florida Gulf Coast University’s “eco-empowerment” mission consistent with the selection and construction of the campus site?

Let me dissect this question a little bit more in order to completely comprehend what it is that we are questioning. What is the University’s “eco-empowerment” mission? The mission statement and vision of FGCU can be found from this web link:

http://www.fgcu.edu/info/mission.asp

The selection of the campus site was narrowed down to two locations the Alico site which is the location that was selected and the Colonial site which is farther north is Fort Myers. I believe that the pros of selecting this site outweigh the cons. The reasons why FGCU chose the Alico site was because it was less developed had a great surrounding ecosystem that was and still is thriving. This thriving ecosystem in which our school was built on has been conserved and protected by the University better than anyone else could have, because this school makes learning about being more sustainable and eco-friendly mandatory for its graduates.  Florida Gulf Coast University has made environmental sustainability one its top priorities. Some have argued that the construction of this university has contradicted everything that we stand for as a University, but what they do not understand is that with this University and it’s prime location we have affectively began planning for our future generations health and sustainability through the education of this generation. Just think about the number of students that have graduated from FGCU, now think about how many of those students took Colloquium, your right 100 percent of them, meaning that Florida Gulf Coast University is making a difference in this global fight to promote sustainability. In conclusion I would have to say that Florida Gulf Coast University has succeeded in their mission to empower their students with a vast knowledge of sustainability.

Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony

On Friday morning at 10:00 FGCU faculty, staff, and students including myself planted 36 oak trees surrounding the central campus lawn.  Everyone that attended this event contributed somehow and in some way, because they knew we were there for a good reason. I pride myself on the fact that these trees will grow along with this campus and will without a doubt contribute to this University’s environmental initiative and its natural beauty.  What I like most about this ceremony was that we did get dirty and we did make an immediate difference to not only the environment, but also to the appearance of our campus.

Florida Gulf Coast University Nature Trail

In this picture we see the lake from a view from the bridge. On the way to South Housing last summer I actually noticed a pretty good sized gator in this lake while I was working for the University installing signage during the construction of Palmetto Hall.

This picture illustrates some sort of Wasp's nest, but we are not 100% positive.

 Throughout our nature walk here at FGCU we observed a ton of species of plants and trees. Some species are considered to be exotic or invasive meaning that they are not natural to the Southwest Florida environment. One of these invasive species of trees is the Melaleuca tree, which was introduced in order to perform a certain function such as "improve the Southwest Florida environment for human habitation" by drying up the wet lands. These trees have invaded the Southwest Florida ecosystem, and are very detrimental to our fragile environment. Their paper like texture and rate of spread have caused for their removal.    

Course Expectations and Personal Views of Sustainability

My expectations for this course include:

Ø  A better understanding of the Florida ecosystem.

Ø  To develop a more healthy and eco-friendly life-style.

Ø  Spread “green awareness.”

Ø  Promote “green business practices.”

In my mind sustainability is the principle that encapsulates all aspects of the relationship between humans and the environment in which we live in.  From a business management perspective sustainability is critical to a successful business environment. In business sustainable practices are becoming more of managerial norm, every year more and more firms are implementing a “going green” policy or a new waste management policy. One way that I am personally unsustainable is through consumption of fuel, because my car is not very fuel efficient.

FGCU Colloquium

Ahoy, John Rice here from Florida Gulf Coast University. I am a senior hoping to graduate sometime next fall, but I am just taking it one credit hour at a time. Throughout this course I hope to learn more about the relationship that we share with our local environment and how easy it is to both prevent and cause damage to our ecosystem. Colloquium is mandatory at the University, but it has a great reputation of being one of the best and most memorable courses throughout the alumni community, so I am lokking forward to it. This concludes my first post on my blog for the semester, pictures and updates coming soon!