NWF recognizes La Verne

by Dora Galvan
Staff Writer

In the path toward a livable environment, the National Wildlife Federation recognized the University of La Verne for doing its part to instill in its students the values of a better tomorrow.

The NWF recognized the University for its curriculum and required education for undergraduate students.

"The NWF has several categories of recognition for America's colleges and universities for environmental education, while the major one was for educational programs which were not only available but were universally expected of students, and those programs exist here and are expected of our undergraduate students," said Dick McDowell, Vice President of Academic Affairs.

After surveying all universities across the nation the federation depicted the efforts universities put forth in bettering the environment.

Although students complain about required Core classes, they do serve a purpose, explains Robert Neher, professor of biology.

"The work that's been done by the general education committee over the past 10 years is what has made this all possible, because they put into place two Core classes which are interdisciplinary (Core 320 and Core 340) and those two classes by themselves gives this breath of education that they're interested in, especially the Core class Toward a Sustainable Planet is one which is focused on environmental issues and how they relate to social issues," Neher said.

Neher emphasized that the required science courses, along with the core classes "means that we have a program that should be raising environmental awareness in our students which is pretty much second to none, it's pretty top notch."

Exposure to environmental issues and the role that humans play in them is an opportunity students have at the university.

It is up to students themselves what they take from their experience at the university, whether they want to become part of the solution or become polluters, Neher said.

Besides the required science classes, recycling bins are placed around the University in an effort to promote recycling.