Tag: Furman

Getting A "Green" Start

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Furman University has become a landmark for sustainability on a college campus
Furman University has become a landmark for sustainability on a college campus

In today’s day and age, the more we are educated on a topic, the better prepared we are to cope and adapt to that same topic in real world situations. Nothing adheres more to this train of thought than environmental issues. The Earth’s climate is an intricate and complex system that is constantly changing as time goes on. It is difficult to forecast the local weather more than ten days in advance, let alone outline the planet’s climate for the next thousand years. If we as a population are to be committed to changing our lifestyles to be more “green” and sustainable, a better understanding of environmental processes is crucial.

At Furman University, sustainability and environmental awareness has become one of the pillars of the liberal arts education offered. “Sustainability is defined as meeting humanity’s present needs while enriching the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The reason behind this drive for increased awareness is the need that we as a society have for more informed leaders. In constructing and implementing policy, both domestic and foreign, a solid foundation of fact and understanding must be utilized so that the policy is effective and efficient.

To form an opinion on the issues surrounding the environment and climate change, you must first know the issue at hand. Without facts, without real life examples, and without education from differing viewpoints, it is difficult, if not impossible to take a stance and go about implementing what you see as the appropriate course of action.

As this blog has progressed, we have discussed the  numerous policies passed and agreements made that are associated with the environment. But why? No matter what side of the debate you find yourself, keeping updated and informed on these environmental issues allows you to form well founded thought processes and make well informed decisions.

Furman Sustainability

Photos of Sustainability at Furman University

Understanding Misperceptions

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The Middle East
The Middle East

Why should we as individuals care about the Middle East?  It seems so far away and distant and irrelevant to us.  The fact of the matter is that our lack of knowledge has caused us to stereotype Middle Eastern people and this lack of education needs to change. Most students cannot even locate the Middle East on a map and they think that Islam is the answer to everything.  In this video interview, some common misperceptions on the Middle East are clarified by Dr. Teipen.

  • Why do we need to understand Middle Eastern culture?
  • What is the history of our Western misconceptions?
  • How should we shift the focus of U.S. aid to the Middle East?
  • How has our Western culture impacted that of the Middles East?

Hopefully, watching this interview will spark your curiosity to learn more and end false accusations and assumptions about a group of people who have much more in common with both you and I than you once thought. Teipen Interview

Check out some images of Furman’s Religion Department and Dr. Alfons Teipen.

Insight into Women and Education in the Middle East

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Education of young women in the Middle East.
Education of young women in the Middle East.

Ignorance on issues of international significance is the root of many misunderstandings. The plight of women and education in the Middle East is one such topic. After speaking with Dr. Alfons Teipen, a religion professor here at Furman, I gained some knowledge on a previous topic in my blog that focused on women and education in the Middle East, particularly Afghanistan.

Here are some startling statistics regarding women just in Afghanistan:

  • Every 30 minutes, an Afghan woman dies during childbirth
  • 87 percent of Afghan women are illiterate
  • 30 percent of girls have access to education in Afghanistan
  • 1 in every 3 Afghan women experience physical, psychological or sexual violence
  • 44 years is the average life expectancy rate for women in Afghanistan
  • 70 to 80 percent of women face forced marriages in Afghanistan

Obviously education is not the only issue for females in the Middle East.  However, having widespread accessibility to education will slowly impact and improve other aspects of women’s lives.

Before speaking with Dr. Teipen, I was under the assumption that the efforts for women to gain education were minimal and that the root of this was their religion of Islam.  He erased these false thoughts when he informed me that it has more to do with their patriarchal culture and the Taliban’s skewed interpretations of original Islamic texts.

In this brief interview with Dr. Teipen, he explained the history and significance of the plight of women’s education in the Middle East as well as comparing it to our Western ideals.

Let’s hear what he had to say: Dr. Teipen Audio Clip

Yemen Hits a Local Nerve

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Furman University
Furman University

In my interview with one of Furman University’s most well versed political science majors, Ian McClure, I learned the history behind U.S. relations with Yemen and his opinions on what the U.S. strategy should be to combat the terrorism threat of Al-Qaida.

Ian explained “that U.S relations with Yemen began in the 1950’s and 1960’s when the U.S. aided in the Saudi involvement in the Yemeni civil war between the loyalist faction that supported the king and the Marxist guerrillas in the south where the Al-Qaida group is currently located.”

Ironically, as of Friday, the Washington Post and Reuters wrote that Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen’s president, has announced that Yemen’s war with northern Shi’ite rebels has ended.

Ian is very adamant that the main obstacle to U.S. involvement in Yemen is the dwindling economic state.  According to Ian, “what we [the U.S.] really need to do to combat Al-Qaida in Yemen right now instead of giving them military aid, is we need to be pumping them up economically and financially to the point where they can sustain economic development.”

“Through giving these people a stake we can combat Al-Qaida because one of the main tools they are using is offering economic incentive for people to join their cause, so its not only a cultural connection to Al-Qaida, but a financial connection as well.”

Hopefully, the U.S. government will have innovative strategies like Ian when it comes to fighting the terrorism threat of Al-Qaida.  In my next post, we will hear from randomly selected students and a Furman professor on their opinions of U.S. relations with Yemen.

Hear more from Furman University’s senior political science major, Ian McClure.

Glance at how Yemen has hit a local nerve.

What does the average college kid think?

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Well, I’ve asked some Furman students what they have thought of the United States government’s response to the disaster in Haiti and most are positive responses:

  • “Although the U.S. was not the first to respond– they’ve done a good job helping out” – Furman Sophomore
  • “The United States is participating in Haiti now however it will be interesting to see what they do in the long run.” – Furman Senior

I sat down with Furman sophomore, Sophie More, to discuss: Sophie Interview

Although students may have different opinions on the U.S. government’s role in Haiti, most have shown their support by wearing Haiti t-shirts that were sold during the Furman Men’s soccer tournament that took place to raise money for Haiti.

Haiti Shirts

It’s refreshing to know that college students have an opinion on issues such as the US government’s role in Haiti. Not only do they understand what is happening outside of Furman’s campus but they also show support in fundraising and “Haitian Spirit”.

Obama's Global Health Initiative

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Though PEPFAR under Bush certainly made progress in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, it is important to remember that epidemics such as these do not exist in a vacuum.  Rather, the cycle of poverty and illness is one that is self-sustaining, and aid efforts must focus relief on both sides of the equation.

The Obama administration has recognized this and developed something called the Global Health Initiative, which “adopts a more integrated approach to fighting diseases, improving health, and strengthening health systems.”  Obama’s 2010 budget brings continued awareness to broader global health issues such as child and maternal health, family planning, neglected tropical diseases, and HIV/AIDS.

Obama’s statement says, “the budget invests $63 billion cumulatively over six years (2009-2014) for global health programs. PEPFAR… will constitute more than 70 percent of global health funding.”

It seems that Bush’s plans neglected an important part of global health and poverty: family planning.  Family planning is a difficult topic in much of Africa, where a man’s wealth is measured partly by the size of his family.

Condoms are associated with STDs and with infidelity, so they are very rarely used within a marriage for family planning. Other family planning techniques, such as birth control pills and contraceptive injections, are being promoted.

Another issue that must be addressed is that there is also still some opposition within African governments to the family planning measures.

It is absolutely vital to look at the AIDS crisis in the greater sphere of global health.  Hopefully policymakers will continue to take this into consideration when they decide how aid money is spent.

Porche, a Furman student, with an AIDS orphan during Furman's study abroad program to Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Porche Warren, a Furman student, with an AIDS orphan in Namibia. (Photo taken by Liz Lineback.)

Listen Listen to an interview with a Furman student about her own experiences learning about AIDS while in Africa.

View a slideshow of images showing materials brought back from Porche’s trip to Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.


The 'Green' Standard

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As students of Furman University, being ‘green’ has become the standard on which we strive to live by. One of the most crucial aspects of remaining green is being energy efficient, and in a world that is run on oil and other fossil fuels, it is important not to forget the finite characteristic of these fossil fuels. As the need for sustainable energy becomes more prevalent in the world, the spotlight has turned to more renewable energy sources, such as:

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Examples of renewable energy sources
  • Sunlight
  • Wind
  • Tides
  • Geothermal

As these naturally replenishing energy sources becomes more viable, it is important that the United States makes policy considerations in regards to trading that would encourage or inhibit the production and initiation of renewable energy resources. Economic analysts say that these necessary trade policies will be the topic discussed during President Barack Obama‘s upcoming trip to Indonesia. The Indonesian Trade Minister, Mari Pangestu, “not[ed] that the United States has a ‘comparative advantage’ in a number of renewable energy areas”

For the United States to remain competitive and committed in the rapidly growing field of renewable energy, however, it is important that policies be enacted that allow for beneficial economic growth in these new markets. Recently, “Chinese manufacturers are entering the U.S. wind market under a joint venture led by Dallas investor Cappy McGarr,” with the U.S. Renewable Energy Group.

As the world enters into a new era of energy and politics, the role of the United States in the energy transformation will be decided by the policies enacted and the trade agreements made with other countries.

Discussion of Renewable Energy: Energy Podcast

To see the transition from nonrenewable to renewable energy Click Here

The Military's Humanitarian Aid

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collage 1 

When we think of war, most imagine deadly weapons, destruction, and death.  Often times the media only shares these stories and images, and fails to inform the public of the humanitarian aid that the military provides.

Stability and Support Operations (SASO), assists with stability operations where the “goal is to meet the immediate needs of designated groups and to transfer responsibility quickly and efficiently to appropriate civilian authorities.”  They are responsible for organizing efforts to allow organizations such as the Red Cross to provide aid and assistance.  It is important to note that, SASO’s job doesn’t just involve war devastation but also trauma that comes from catastrophes such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti. 

SASOs program is two-fold.  The purpose of the support activities often consists of humanitarian and environmental assistance.  This includes:

  • Saving lives
  • Reducing suffering
  • Recovering essential infrastructure
  • Improving quality of life
  • Restoring normalcy

The other half of their duties is stability operations which uses military power to influence the political and civil environment. This includes:

  • Facilitating diplomacy
  • Interrupting specified illegal activities
  • Reassuring allies, friendly governments, and agencies
  • Encouraging a weak or faltering government
  • Stabilizing a restless area
  • Maintaining/restoring order
  • Enforcing agreements and policies

Just reading a brief article did not do justice to the scope and importance of SASO’s impact.  Therefore I delved into this topic deeper and found an individual here on Furman’s campus to help me gain a deeper insight into what exactly SASO’s goals and duties are.  In my next post, experienced active duty Army officer, Major Michael Roddey, who spent time in Afghanistan during 2006 and 2007 with SASO will give his first-hand knowledge of SASO.