DePauw takes part in Focus on the Nation

Last Year, DePauw was one of over 1,900 educational, faith-based, and civic institutions nationally to host a series of events as a part of Focus the Nation, the largest national teach-in in history.

DePauw hosted a community expo, a DePauw campus sustainability expo, and 12 hour-long academic sessions to engage students, staff, faculty, and community members in serious, informed conversations about climate change from far-ranging perspectives.

Twenty-two professors representing 14 academic disciplines, eight students, four staff directors, and two administrators participated as facilitators of these hour-long sessions.

The sessions saw an average of 20 attendees and as many as 90.

The university is doing it again this year.

A teach-in is planned for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Watson Forum, Thompson Recital Hall, and Reece Lobby.

Issues discussed will include:

* How is your area of interest impacted by climate change and sustainability issues?

* What insights does your discipline bring to the table as we all learn to mitigate the worst effects of and adapt to living in a climate changed world?

* What resources does your discipline bring to the task of abandoning unsustainable ways of living and envisioning and implementing sustainable alternatives?

Also on Thursday, a Campus Sustainability Expo will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the Union Building lobby.

Attendees will learn about the practices and programs on campus and find out what might be in store as we work towards leading ICUPCC signatories towards a just and sustainable future.

Facilities, grounds, dining, housing, student organizations, and others will host booths to showcase their efforts and aspirations.

On Thursday evening, a Greencastle Community Expo will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Union Building lobby.

The city of Greencastle was recently awarded the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns 2008 Green Community recognition for their successful attempts at making and maintaining a green government and society. The expo will spotlight how Greencastle area businesses, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and other civic groups are promoting sustainability in their everyday activities or institutional mission.

Other Focus the Nation activities to be held during the week include:

* Today, a Recyclemania workshop will take place at 5 p.m. in the Watson Forum. Workshop founder Ed Newman will appear.

At 7 p.m. in the Watson Forum, river keeper Chad Pregracke, author of "From the Bottom Up," will speak about his crusade to clean up America's rivers.

* On Friday in Peeler Auditorium, the university's debate team will speak about cutting meat consumption. The presentation will run from 4 to 5 p.m.

* On Feb. 10, a presentation titled "How Change Happens: DePauw Environmental Policy Project at the State House" will take place in the Watson Forum from 7:30 to 9 p.m.