We're not going to allow posts that denigrate people by name-calling or labels that are disrespectful to remain on this blog. Nor things that might be considered libelous. If you cannot express yourself without resorting to this don't post. If you do it'll be removed. We won't remove posts that disagree with my opinion; this is not a censorship issue, it's a civility issue.
(The "Question of the Day" outside the library ceased because people wrote things that the people who maintained it thought inane, childish, embarrassing, crude or all of the above.)
Now you might consider "BCM" labeling but I happen to know it was done without malice, so since it's my blog, I guess I can decide what's appropriate and what's not. How's that for dictatorial power? :-)
I thought that allowing anonymous posting would allow more free expression of ideas. Some blogs require that one register before posting. Only the blog administrator (that's the Fox IT Department) really can access that information I believe. I really don't want to do that, but nastiness will cause us to rethink that.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Darwin's Birthday and the Evolution of Life
Today marks the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin. This weekend is Evolution Weekend. Many churches will be engaged in discussions of faith and science. The campus is hosting two highly respected local clergy to discuss the compatibility of science and religious belief.
While I serve as a campus administrator most know that my undergraduate and doctoral degrees are in the biological sciences. So I have more than a passing interest in science education. And evolutionary science.
As someone who sees education as a means to ensure economic and social vitality, I become dismayed and disheartened when even those who have college educations reject evolutionary science in favor of belief in a deity that created life in its present forms. I fail to understand why those who believe in a deity cannot at least accept that perhaps this deity “created evolution.” Even the Vatican accepts evolutionary science, and the fact that life on Earth has evolved from simple, one-celled organisms. So I am dumbfounded when I read stories that so much of United States society rejects evolution in favor of creation. I suspect it’s because people need to think – to believe -- they are alive for a reason, that they have a higher purpose in life.
As a scientist one cannot cherry pick which scientific principles to accept and reject. So the general public’s acceptance of science that benefits them (such as the understanding germ theory, how microbes evolve in response to antibiotics, the ability of viruses to mutate and other advances in medical science) yet rejecting all the evidence that humans share a common ancestor with other primates is just plain unfathomable to me.
My personal beliefs aside, I worry about a society that rejects the fundamental tenet of the biological sciences, puts more stake in belief systems than evidence. I try to think logically. Seems to me that a lot of the world’s woes are based on the absence of respecting the unity and diversity of life, thinking humans are better than other forms of life, and beyond, that one’s personal religious belief system if worth literal warfare. Is science education failing us?
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin.
While I serve as a campus administrator most know that my undergraduate and doctoral degrees are in the biological sciences. So I have more than a passing interest in science education. And evolutionary science.
As someone who sees education as a means to ensure economic and social vitality, I become dismayed and disheartened when even those who have college educations reject evolutionary science in favor of belief in a deity that created life in its present forms. I fail to understand why those who believe in a deity cannot at least accept that perhaps this deity “created evolution.” Even the Vatican accepts evolutionary science, and the fact that life on Earth has evolved from simple, one-celled organisms. So I am dumbfounded when I read stories that so much of United States society rejects evolution in favor of creation. I suspect it’s because people need to think – to believe -- they are alive for a reason, that they have a higher purpose in life.
As a scientist one cannot cherry pick which scientific principles to accept and reject. So the general public’s acceptance of science that benefits them (such as the understanding germ theory, how microbes evolve in response to antibiotics, the ability of viruses to mutate and other advances in medical science) yet rejecting all the evidence that humans share a common ancestor with other primates is just plain unfathomable to me.
My personal beliefs aside, I worry about a society that rejects the fundamental tenet of the biological sciences, puts more stake in belief systems than evidence. I try to think logically. Seems to me that a lot of the world’s woes are based on the absence of respecting the unity and diversity of life, thinking humans are better than other forms of life, and beyond, that one’s personal religious belief system if worth literal warfare. Is science education failing us?
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Athletics at UW Fox
This has been a roller coaster season for the Athletics Program at Fox. We has a stellar soccer season. Volleyball went through ups and downs, and the basketball season has been less than acceptable in many respects. In fact, our women’s basketball team folded in mid year.
Clearly UW Fox is a campus where academics are far more important than athletics. But athletics can build a spirit of togetherness. Some students complain that this is not a “real college campus.” Support for athletics can make it a more typical college campus. And students who would not be able to play at places like Madison, Milwaukee or Marquette can enjoy competition. In fact, last week our men’s basketball team was jeered by the crowd at UW-Manitowoc because they have apparently picked up that this campus and community does not support the team.
Athletics can even serve as a recruiting tool for the campus. I am sure that there are many students who would like to participate in athletics to add to their academic experience. Statistics suggest that students who participate in activities outside the classroom enjoy college more than those who just go to class.
I’ve heard that other UW Colleges teams enjoy more support than Fox does. More students, faculty, staff and community members show up for the games. And from looking at the segregated fee budgets of the other campuses I know athletics get more dollars for their programs on other campuses from student government controlled allocation processes. We’ve got a very nice facility. Why does the Fox Journal not cover the games?
So what’s the problem here?
Clearly UW Fox is a campus where academics are far more important than athletics. But athletics can build a spirit of togetherness. Some students complain that this is not a “real college campus.” Support for athletics can make it a more typical college campus. And students who would not be able to play at places like Madison, Milwaukee or Marquette can enjoy competition. In fact, last week our men’s basketball team was jeered by the crowd at UW-Manitowoc because they have apparently picked up that this campus and community does not support the team.
Athletics can even serve as a recruiting tool for the campus. I am sure that there are many students who would like to participate in athletics to add to their academic experience. Statistics suggest that students who participate in activities outside the classroom enjoy college more than those who just go to class.
I’ve heard that other UW Colleges teams enjoy more support than Fox does. More students, faculty, staff and community members show up for the games. And from looking at the segregated fee budgets of the other campuses I know athletics get more dollars for their programs on other campuses from student government controlled allocation processes. We’ve got a very nice facility. Why does the Fox Journal not cover the games?
So what’s the problem here?
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