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Eco 1 education
Daily Nebraskan editorial policy is the
product of an editorial board consisting of
Editor-in-chief Jim Gray, Managing Editor
Tom Lansworth and News Editor Randy
Beam. Individual editorials represent the
views of the writer but not necessarily those
of all editorial board members.
Ten years ago, those who expressed
concern about the state of the world's
ecology were instantly branded as fanatics or
anti-progressives.
Today, however, the ecology bandwagon is
one that nearly everyone seems to be hopping
on. For many it has become the Cause of the
Year.
Ecology is of more than bandwagon
importance. Insincere cause-followers who
hop from issue to issue will be of little help in
maintaining a continuing watch on the quality
of the environment.
Students in today's higher education
systems must develop a true ecology
consciousness not the sham idealism
professed by fair-weather devotees but
sincere, reasoned thought about the plight of
the earth.
The responsibility for developing this
consciousness falls on institutions of higher
learning, including the University of
Nebraska:
How has the University of Nebraska done
so far, in its development of
ecologically-based programs? And what can
be expected in the future?
In September, 1971, President Varner
authorized a study, to be made by Dean
Howard Ottoson, to inventory University
jPerspnnel and programs involved in
ewvironmental activities and to devise a plan
for coordinating University resources in a
unified approach toward solution of
environmental quality problems.
This was, of course, a big order. But
Ottoson's report, completed in August, goes a
long way toward shining some light on the
questions involved.
According to the report, the University
currently has many well-based ecological
programs. Most visible of these are
undergraduate courses-more than 350 said to
be "environmental in nature" on the three
NU campuses.
Moves have been made toward a special
environmental health major in the College of
Arts and Sciences. To continue its coursework
in this area, the college of Agriculture has
discussed forming a Department of Natural
Resources.
Within the College of Engineering and
Architecture, the former School of
Architecture has changed its name to the
School of Environmental Development. This
i;eems to indicate the intent of moving the
school in the direction of environmental
studies in the future, although not much
movement in that direction has been detected
yet.
In addition to regularly-scheduled courses,
hundreds of small "special topics" classes on
environmental problems have been
conducted. And in courses not
directly-related to ecology, many have
readjusted their curricula with the
environment in mind.
In addition to regular classwork, many
faculty members have succeeded in receiving
research grants from the federal government
and other sources. More than 120 of these
environmentally-based research projects were
in progress during the summer.
Further, the Conservation and Survey
Division, the UNL Extension Service, the
Cooperative Extension Service and UNO's
College of Continuing Education all conduct
projects environmental in nature.
Clearly, the University has much going on
in the way of environmental-consciousness
studies.
The main problem with the
however, that it lacks coordination.
Currently, there is much inefficiency and
duplication as a result of the hodge-podge
work being done.
The obvious answer to the situation is the
environmental institute, as outlined by
Ottoson's report. This institute could provide
a unique sprvice, clearing up the red tape
involved in coordinating ecological projects
for the entire University. It could
mnrHinate and make known what
University now has to offer in that area.
While operating basically with a "hands
off" philosophy on the specific study areas, it
could take away much confusion, while
adding little in the way of censorship.
Thus far, nearly all efforts in ecology have
been made by the faculty. It is about time the
University as a whole took over part of the
responsibility.
It has been speculated that the institute
will have a hard time obtaining funds. The
ecology, it is said is at the bottom of the
University's priorities.
It is time those priorities were changed.
The ecology cannot wait.
Jim Gray
Fill-osophy
With ASUN Senate resignations piling high,
it's becoming more imperative that the vehicle
for filling senate vacancies be overhauled.
Only a month of school is gone and seven
senators-one-fifth of the entire body-have
quit.
To date, new senators are picked primarily
by a committee of volunteers from the senate
who are selected by an executive, meeting at a
time set by an executive and, in fact,
including an executive.
This executive participation clearly is
unconstitutional.
"In case of a vawnc'yL? in elected
representatives," the ASUN constitution
reads, "a replacement to, fill out the expired
term shall be elected by the senate ..."
Currently, the senate meVely' rubberstamps
system ..jsrselfictiQns madeJby. the committee... ....
The jntent of the constitution is, that the
senate, by itself, should filk;tjie vacancies.
Such has not been the case.
The executives either should willingly step
out of the process or be forced out by a
senate mandate. The senate should lay down
its own firm procedure for filling future
vacancies.
Randy Beam.
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daily nebraskan
monday, October 2, 1972