Drexel hosts National Teach-In

By: Janhavi Purohit

Posted: 2/6/09

Drexel University hosted a National Teach-In, an initiative generated to create a focus on global warming and climate change in the Bossone Research Center Feb. 5.

The teach-in serves to create a day for people to focus on the issue at hand, according to event organizer and sixth-year architecture student Carly Litofsky.

A webcast from the National Teach-In organization was one of the events of the day, which included an open exhibit area and a student-led panel discussion.

"The first 100 days of an administration yields powerful legislation," Litofsky said. "In the first 100 days, we should all be working to see something to resolve those issues."

Sophomore physical therapy major Kristin Cuprzinski, who serves as an administrative assistant for Drexel Green through the office of the vice president, also said this is an important event in terms of the first days of the new administration.

"Obama can now make a big impact on the environment like he said," Cuprzinski said. "It's hoping those first 100 days aren't lost and just to reinforce that."

According to Litofsky, an important part of the event is reminding students that they can be involved and create change in terms of global warming.

"Sometimes people think climate change is a big thing: 'I can't do anything about it.' But Drexel is a big place, so if we're all doing our part to live more sustainably (sic), we can have a broader impact," Litofsky said.

Cuprzinski said the purpose of Drexel Green is to bring sustainability to the campus and to make sure students take those lessons with them when they leave school.

"Drexel's motto is learn for the future. Sustainability is definitely the future. So preparing students for sustainability is preparing them for the future," Cuprzinski said. "Green is technically the new black."

Litofsky said there will also be a webcast, introduced and facilitated by Jim Tucker, from Tobey Oxholm during the day, as well as exhibits from departments within the University to showcase what colleges within Drexel are doing as part of the effort.

According to Litofsky, the event is significant in the way it is connecting other campuses.

"It's an empowering idea to say that you and other college students are doing the exact same thing at the exact same time because it is important to you," Litofsky said.

Cuprzinski said she was proud of how quickly the event came together.

"I guess that's unique - in that we got it together in about a month," Cuprzinski said. "Anything on a college level is so much harder to do. The fact that we were able to talk to so many people and have them participate is really impressive."

More information about the National Teach-In initiative can be found on the web site, nationalteachin.org, or on drexel.edu/sustainability.

Sponsors for the event included Drexel Green, the Sierra Club and CoMAD Studio 4-year student projects, according to the Drexel Green web site.

The event is held on the same day across the country in a variety of institutions.