Higher Education and the Environment

The University of Frostburg’s Geography Department Head is Dr. Russo. Recently, Dr. Russo discussed how students need to really understand their environment. A question he often challenges his students with is, “Why do Universities want people from all over the country and not just local residence”. The answer that is often heard is that it offers the first chance for young people to gain independence in a controlled environment so that they will have a better understanding of what will be required of them to succeed in the world. Dr. Russo believes that students should be aware of their local environment and share those thoughts with others. Homecoming celebrations offer a chance to learn more about where people come from. Ecological inhabitation programs, which understand the environment, can assist students in their adaptation.

Another one of Dr. Russo’s thoughtful statements is, “Schools are a source of community renewal rather than the case of community disintegration.” The challenge to his students is for them to answer the question, “Is Frostburg University a community disintegration of the environment”. Replies range from the literal destruction of local forest and land required to build the university to a less obvious one of the local culture being overwhelmed by students.

Dr. Russo talked about colleges that make a point to proactively interact with their local environment. The colleges that are at the top of list were Warren Wilson, in North Carolina and Berea College, which is in Kentucky. At the Berea College, if accepted, the tuition is free and the students concentrate their studies on adapting their campus life to the local environment.

“What can students and faculty members do to learn about their environment”, is a favorite question that Dr. Russo likes to leave people with. A suggestion coming from the Faculty is that time should be taken during freshman orientation for new students to be shown all aspects of the local environment around Frostburg University and it’s neighboring communities. Some students said, “Go on more field trips around Frostburg and offer programs that will allow students to work around the different campus communities.”

The guidance from Dr. Russo’s questions are that students, or people, should spend the time to understand their local environment and learn how to grow and prosper together in a seamless community.