• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1991-04-04_Vol56_No23_04

Volume 56 Number 23 Features The Western Carolinian Page 4 '—Thursday, April 4, 1991 "Year of The Student" Chris Gunn Contributing Writer "Most learning in college," I have heard several students declare this year," takes place outside of the classroom." One senior voice put it simply, "Education isn't just lectures and libraries." So, what exactly is education? What kind of learning does go on in college in general, and at Western in particular? Where, how, when, and why does this learning occur? And, perhaps most important of all, how can we as members of the WCU community work to make this learning the best it can be? Have some answers, reactions, thoughts, suggestions? Good. Read on, for these are questions being asked right now across campus and your input will be a vital part of the changes that will be made. Last year, inside the office for Academic Affairs on the fifth floor of the adminisUation building, associate and assistant vice-chancellors Judy Stillion and Mike Malone sparked an idea that led to the formation of a steering committee and to the planning of a year-long program dubbed "Year of the Student." The 1990-91 program has involved a multi-disciplinary "core group" of staff, faculty, and administrators meeting with WCU students, with scholars from other universities, and with each other to address these questions. Other related topics have included first-year students' transitions to college, individual learning styles, cognitive and moral development, and pluralistic learning environments. I have been fortunate to be a member of this core group and to hear numerous voices of the WCU community share ideas, concerns, and enthusiasm in an effort to make this learning environment even better. We have asked students about their learning styles and preferences; about courses they have liked and disliked and why; about a professor's approach they have valued; about their views of general education; and about what they have learned, are learning, and want to learn while at Western. Among other responses, we have heard some students' frustration with large classes and course requirements unrelated to their majors and still other students' appreciation for exposurt'to diverse studies. We have heard some students describe their keen awareness of which professors care about students as people and which do not. We have heard some students laugh at the general claim that two hours of outside study is needed for every hour spent in class. We have heard suggestions to eliminate all general education requirements and others to distribute the requirements more evenly across all years of study. And we are still listening. One thing that we already know form our Year of the Student experience and from empirical research is that learning is enhanced when individual-faculty, staff, and students alike- are actively involved in the learning process. Soon, recommending, planning, and acting will occur. It is possible that as a result of this Year of the Student, WCU students may eventually be required to attend one play, watch three movies, and clean five classrooms each semester. Faculty may be required to hold two classes in residence halls at night and help cook four dinners in Dodson each semester. Staff may be required to coach one intramural sport or academic team and eat six lunches in Brown each semester. Wilder things could happen. Have your voice heard. Judy Stillion, 227-7495 , Mike Malone (7222), and I (7469) welcome your thoughts, suggestions and reflections. We will gladly offer you assistance in figuring out where, when, and how to become involved in this effort to improve the WCU community for learning. Tips for planet Earth V) 1; Q. .!'•*» '.•■>.■ Diane MacEachern Contributing Writer Q. Will there be an Earth Day this year? A. With the theme "Make Every Day Earth Day," the goal of Earth Day 1991 is to encourage every American "to make at least one change in daily living for the benefit of the environment." Thousands of groups around the globe are planning activities for April 22. Earth Day was founded by Gaylord Nelson, the former senator from Wisconsin and current counselor of the Wilderness Society, to put environmental issues on the national agenda. "The objective," he says, "was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy and, finally, force this issue permanently into the political arena." It was a big gamble, but it worked. On April 22,1970, an estimated twenty million people participated in peaceful environmental demonstrations across the country. Ten thousand grade schools and high schools, 2,000 colleges and 1,000 communities were involved, as well as numerous countries that participated internationally. On April 22, 1990, the twentieth anniversary of Earth Day, more than 200 million people in more than 140 countries participated in community cleanups, tree-plantings, environmental fairs, teach-ins, concerts and other activities. Schools, churches, labor unions, campuses, civic organizations, businesses, governments and industry joined environmental groups in making a commitment to help clean up the earth. To find out what Earth Day activities are planned for your community, contact Earth Day USA at P.O. Box 810, Epping, N.H. 03042, (603) 929-0220. Q. I'm interested in maintaining my lawn organically this year. Can you suggest some books or catalogs to help me out? A. Two books to consider are: "The Chemical Free Lawn: The Newest Varieties and Techniques to Grow Lush, Hardy Grass," by Warren Schultz (Rodale Press), is full of easy-to-follow advice for growing grass organically. Techniques for watering, fertilizing and even mowing to get the most out of the grass you plant—without using toxic chemicals—are highlighted. Available in book stores. "How to Get Your Lawn and Garden Off Drugs," by Carole Rubin (order from Friends of the Earth, 701-251 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, Ontario, KIP5J6, $9.95 plus $1.50 postage per copy), offers simple directions for organic lawn maintenance. In the catalog department: Ringer Natural Lawn and Garden Products offers organic fertilizers, insect traps and bug sprays. Call (800) 654-1047 for a free catalog. Ringer products are also available in many local garden centers. Gardener's Supply Company, 128 Intervale Rd., Burlington, Vt. 04501, (802) 863-5693. Products include organic insecticides, fertilizers and watering systems. Safer.Inc, 189WellsAve., Newton, Mass. 02159, (617) 964- 2990. The folks who brought you Safer insecticidal soap have developed a whole line of lawn and garden insectcontrols. Products control turf insects such as white grubs, sod webworms and mole crickets. Commercially available. Gardens Alive, from the Natural Gardening Research Center, Hwy. 48, P.O. Box 149, Sunman, Ind. 47041, offers organic lawn food they recommend you use only twice a year as well as lawn seed, fertilizers, insecticides and bug traps. Readers frequently ask for recipes for nontoxic cleansers. Here are a few that will help you get a jump on the spring cleaning season: —Glass cleaner. Mix 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart water. Spray on (using a pump sprayer) and use newspaper to wipe dry. —Oven cleaner. Use steel wool and baking soda to clean spills as soon as the oven cools. For tough stains, add salt. Do not use this method in self-cleaning or continuous-clean ovens. —Toilet bowl cleaner. Use a toilet brush and baking soda or vinegar. —Furniture polish. Wipe furniture with a mixture of one teaspoon lemon oil and one pint mineral or vegetable oil. Or look for commercial products that contain lemon oil and beeswax in a mineral oil base. —Rug deodorizer and shampoo. Deodorize dry carpets by sprinkling liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary. To clean rugs, vacuum first to remove dirt. Mix 1 quart white vinegar and 3 quarts boiling water. Apply to nap of rug with wet rag, being careful not to saturate rug backing. Dry thoroughly, then vacuum. —Wall cleaner. In a gallon-size jug, mix one or two cups of borax, two teaspoons dishwashing liquid and one gallon warm water. Apply with a spray bottle or a soft sponge or dishcloth. —Silver polish. Submerge silver in water containing aluminum foil and salt or baking soda for several minutes. Rinse and wipe dry. —Chrome polish. Wipe with a soft cloth dipped in undiluted cider vinegar then rub dry. Send questions about the environment to Tipsfor Planet Earth, c/o Washington Post Writers Group, 115015thSt.NW, Washington, D.C. 20071-9200. Questions of general interest will be answered in the column; individual answers cannot be provided. LMP moves activities outdoors the Beach Ball Bash will be held in the UC Grandroom at 8 pm on Saturday, April 6. Music and lights provided by S&L Sound. Refreshments will be served. Wear your beach attire and receive a free mocktail from BACCHUS The new Beach Ball Bash sponsored by LMP and WCU Housing will replace the Spring formal normally held every year. For info call 7206. 9*3 Suzanne Kendall StaffWriter Spring has finally arrived and LMP wants to get WCU students and faculty involved with their outdoor programs to enjoy this beautiful season. These trips are ideal for beginners and for experienced individuals who want to enhance their skills. These outdoor adventures are offered at a low cost to WCU students. A horseback riding trip with Arrowmont Riding Stables on top of Cullowhee Mountain is scheduled for Saturday, April 13. The trip will begin with a thirty minute lesson on handling, riding, and general horseman ship. The group will then have a choice as to which trail ride they want to go on. These trail rides are beautiful, especially with spring coming alive. The special cost of the trip is $20.00 for WCU students and $30.00 for faculty and staff. The price includes lunch, instruction, transportation and guides. A climbing/repelling trip has been scheduled for Sunday, April 14. This trip will provide both the beginner and the intermediate climber with opportunities to develop or enhance climbing skills. Experienced guides will give instruction on knots, safety procedures and climbing etiquette. As the group progresses, more difficult levels of climbing will be attempted. The trip leaves the UC at 8:00 a.m. and returns around 6:00 p.m. The cost of the trip is $7.00 for WCU students and $18.00 for faculty and staff. Lunch, climbing equipment, guides and transportation are included. Throughout the month of April, several outdoor adventures have been planned. These events include canoe/kayak clinics, day hikes, rafting trips to the Nantahala, a downriver canoe race and the annual Tuckasiegee River Clean-up. Space on all trips is limited so sign up in advance in the University Center's Administrative Offices between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call 227-7206. The University Center's Outdoor Rental office rents a wide variety of outdoor equipment. The office is located on the third floor of the UC and spring operating hours are 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday. The OutdoorCommittee will hold its next meeting April 8 at 5:00 p.m. in the Catamount Room of the UC. For more information call 227- 7470. for others $ ^---W for students Advance ticket sales start Monday, April 1st on the first floor of the UC. Price is $2 for students and $3 for all others. 8 pm, Saturday, April 6th h. ■%&£&:■ ...... VOTE Cole Wildman for Vice-President WCU BOOKSTORE LOCATED ON CAMPUS 227-7346 ■MM MMMJMMMttMMM| MMM m ^ Western ' Carolina medical Glim< 5/HICif.v ~co.\nt>r7/vTTi L~ • FREE I'KI'.r.NANOY TUSTING IMMF.lXAn* RKSUlTS • IHKTII CONTROL ■An" • WI.LL WOMliN S HEALTH CARli STUDENT RATFS HOURS: 8 A.M.-6 P.M. Mon,Fri B A.M, 1 P.M. Saturday, •QoiUly Health Can Since 1979* [274-7460) 900 Hendersonville Rd. P.O. Box 5962 Asheville, N.C. 28813

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1991-04-04
  • Date digitized: 2019-10-01
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 8 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1991-04-04_Vol56_No23
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library