Civility

ci·vil·i·ty/səˈvilitē/

Noun:

Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech. Polite remarks used in formal conversation.

The dictionary definition is certainly not what I think of when I think of civility, especially at Furman. I think of being able to leave my keys and wallet on a Dining Hall table to reserve it while I go get food; I think of being able to engage in (relatively!) polite political discussion with people of opposing viewpoints during class; I think of leaving my iPod in a practice room for three days and it still being there when I came back!

Furman is wrought with civility in many different ways. How do you think of civility? I think of George Washington's first rule of civility:

"Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present."

Unrelated but still important, come to the North Village end of the year cookout!

Come hang out 6pm - 8pm before Spring Concert!

Diversity!

Furman's initiative to enhance diversity has been stepping up its game in recent years. Not only through racial diversity, diversity but also religious/spiritual life, political thought, and even general activities and interest. So, although Furman may not look like the most diverse place in the world, there are plenty of different cultures around here from which one can draw ideas and opinions. Think about a few of these quotes about diversity....

• We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” - Maya Angelou

• “Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.” - Anonymous

• “There never were in the world two opinions alike, no more than two hairs or two grains; the most universal quality is diversity” - Michel de Montaigne

• “If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.” - JFK

• “Toward no crimes have men shown themselves so cold- bloodedly cruel as in punishing differences of belief” - James Russell Lowell

Do any of these reflect the way you feel about diversity? Should any of these reflect the way you feel about diversity? Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, and we'll have a much better understanding of history if we look at it from a number of different points of view.

-Joya

Sustainability!

I hope everyone has had a great first month back! Sustainability is important to our community and our world, and we should try to go green where we can.

This is probably the only time I will ever tell you not to listen to Kermit...but don't listen to Kermit! It is quite easy to be green, and here are a few ways you can be sustainable during your busy life...

• On The Go
• If you're like me and you drink a lot of water, buy a reusable water bottle. It will save you a ton of money in the long run and it will cut down on the waste you produce.
• If you're a caffeine addict and must have your coffee every day, buy a reusable thermos so you don't have to use a paper cup each time. It will cut down on waste and a reusable thermos is also sturdier and easier to carry around when you're walking to class.
• If you have to drive off campus a lot, take care of your car. Make sure your tires are properly inflated while you're cruising, don't accelerate too quickly after having stopped, and turn off your car and go into restaurants instead of idling in the drive-thru lane; doing all of these will boost your gas mileage.
• So you have one of those neat reusable grocery bags, but you're a college student with a thousand things on your mind and you always leave it at home when you go to the grocery store...am I right? Shop away and save the plastic bags! Many stores now have grocery bag recycling centers you can bring your bags to or you can use them around the apartment as garbage bags or as a bike-seat cover when it rains.
• In The Apartment
• Turn off your lights when you leave! It's one of the simplest things to do, yet we forget all the time. Write a reminder note on your front door so you'll remember when you head out for the day
• Unplug your computer at night, especially if you don't need to take it to class the next day. After your computer has charged fully, it still uses electricity, so unplugging it 
• Get the funny-looking pig-tail light bulbs! Replacing an incandescent bulb with one can save about $67 in energy bills over the bulb's lifetime
• Study Time
• I thrive on making hand-written or typed study guides before a test; if you do the same, use both sides of the paper
• If you're going to be in the library all day studying or writing a paper, walk instead of driving. It will take you a little longer, but you'll enjoy the quiet time walking back when your day is over

I hope you'll take some of these suggestions to heart and try to be sustainable. This has been a message from your friendly CA Joya. Please don't hesitate to contact or visit me if you need me.

:)

Interpersonal Relationships

Relationships can be really challenging, especially when you are living in close quarters with someone. We all get frustrated and are pushed to different and new limits with each other. Often times, the ways we experience others, including through struggles, shape us as people and expose us to new things. For example:

Have a great November and Christmas break!

Joey


Here are some helpful "Improving Interpersonal Relationship" sites for your viewing pleasure. Patronize as necessary.


http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Goldman4.html

http://www.emotional-times.com/2011/10/relationship-questions.html

http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/07/27/excessive-worry-harms-interpersonal-relationships/28081.html

http://www.positive-attitude-tips.com/interpersonal-relations.html

Just stop by!

October is...

Healthy Behaviors month! It's a national thing, I think...get with the program.


Anyway, healthy behaviors can look like a lot of different things in the busy world of college. Getting 9 hours of sleep a night (who ever has 9 free hours??), exercising (once in a while?), and taking time for yourself are all really important. While sometimes these things can seem impossible to accomplish as we get closer to crunch time, why not do the next best thing?


I'm sure many of you have experienced the crippling effects the flu can have on your academics pursuits. So, I say why not get a flu shot to give you the best chance to stay healthy this winter? The Earle Infirmary will be offering flu shots on the 10th and 11th so get there soon! Have a great month and see you around A-city.

Wanna meet the Man?

Eddie is the Director of the North Village Area, and if you have any pressing questions, he is the man with the answers!