Matt and Roy provided an update on the climate steering plan process.
Following up on our previous meeting, we decided to form two groups, with the following memberships:
Curriculum: Dawn, Anna, Brian, Ali, Roy, Matt
Events: David, Jason, Andy, Alan
Research: No one selected this topic
Chris and Elaine should also pick a group.
Each group will produce some written proposals to be shared with the full group at our first meeting of the spring semester.
A possible framework for these proposals would be to set out:
--what we already do;
--innovative additions to current practices; and
--actions and resources needed to implement those innovations.
Notes from the previous meeting described the first group’s focus as:
Our discussion also mentioned updating a list of courses that cover climate change, identifying gaps in what we offer, developing cluster hire requests, and engaging Engineering faculty in our efforts. The point was to be more inclusive at first and refine the focus after further discussion.
Notes from the previous meeting described the second group’s focus as:
Considering how a teach-in can be designed to have a significant effect on campus, and improving the abilities of students and faculty to benefit from on-campus speakers who address climate change issues. For a speaker series, planning will involve working with existing speaker series (e.g., Humanities and Social Science forums, departmental seminars, CUERE seminars, sustainability speakers), to avoid creating further competition for faculty or student attention.
Our discussion suggested that one of the options for this group would be producing a big one-day event early in the fall 2018 semester. It would feature many speakers giving short talks, showcasing what we already do and helping to create a broader network. There was much discussion about the fact that the Climate Action Steering Committee and members of the campus administration are already talking about organizing a speaker series or a major event centered on climate action and sustainability. They would welcome faculty participation from our group and in fact are looking for our group to play a leading role.
Other:
Roy suggested that in the spring we meet with students who lead UMBC environmental activism groups.
Dawn announced that during the spring she will be organizing informal discussions with faculty about teaching in the current political environment (“Teaching Resistance Under a Mendacious President”?)
Anna thanked Andy for joining her class on modern composition to discuss climate change.
Proposed meeting dates/times next semester:
The block that works for everyone is 10 or 11 on Mondays. Let’s start at 10, and go over into the 11 block if necessary.
1/29
2/26 (2/19 is President’s Day)
3/12
4/2
4/23
The FLC Year-End Gathering is Friday, May 11, 12-1:30 in the Library, 7th Floor.
Following up on our previous meeting, we decided to form two groups, with the following memberships:
Curriculum: Dawn, Anna, Brian, Ali, Roy, Matt
Events: David, Jason, Andy, Alan
Research: No one selected this topic
Chris and Elaine should also pick a group.
Each group will produce some written proposals to be shared with the full group at our first meeting of the spring semester.
A possible framework for these proposals would be to set out:
--what we already do;
--innovative additions to current practices; and
--actions and resources needed to implement those innovations.
Notes from the previous meeting described the first group’s focus as:
Developing a course or courses that will help empower students, particularly those beginning at UMBC, by providing them with opportunities to take action on mitigating climate change, on-campus or off-campus. With this base of activism, students can be directed towards complementary disciplines where they can pursue their interests with greater levels of specialization.
Our discussion also mentioned updating a list of courses that cover climate change, identifying gaps in what we offer, developing cluster hire requests, and engaging Engineering faculty in our efforts. The point was to be more inclusive at first and refine the focus after further discussion.
Notes from the previous meeting described the second group’s focus as:
Considering how a teach-in can be designed to have a significant effect on campus, and improving the abilities of students and faculty to benefit from on-campus speakers who address climate change issues. For a speaker series, planning will involve working with existing speaker series (e.g., Humanities and Social Science forums, departmental seminars, CUERE seminars, sustainability speakers), to avoid creating further competition for faculty or student attention.
Our discussion suggested that one of the options for this group would be producing a big one-day event early in the fall 2018 semester. It would feature many speakers giving short talks, showcasing what we already do and helping to create a broader network. There was much discussion about the fact that the Climate Action Steering Committee and members of the campus administration are already talking about organizing a speaker series or a major event centered on climate action and sustainability. They would welcome faculty participation from our group and in fact are looking for our group to play a leading role.
Other:
Roy suggested that in the spring we meet with students who lead UMBC environmental activism groups.
Dawn announced that during the spring she will be organizing informal discussions with faculty about teaching in the current political environment (“Teaching Resistance Under a Mendacious President”?)
Anna thanked Andy for joining her class on modern composition to discuss climate change.
Proposed meeting dates/times next semester:
The block that works for everyone is 10 or 11 on Mondays. Let’s start at 10, and go over into the 11 block if necessary.
1/29
2/26 (2/19 is President’s Day)
3/12
4/2
4/23
The FLC Year-End Gathering is Friday, May 11, 12-1:30 in the Library, 7th Floor.