Sustainability, or avoiding depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance, also is about human rights, economics, science, music, health care, technology, music, and many other fields.
Learn more about sustainability, and how to do your part, by attending Indiana University Kokomo’s first-ever X Week, set for April 17 to April 21. The event includes showcase classes, a student research exhibition, daily “Small Change, Big Impact” information tables, and many other programs, all free and open to the public.
“We want people to come see what is going on at IU Kokomo, and how our students are using what they learn in our classrooms to solve real-world problems,” said Mark Canada, vice chancellor for academic affairs. It emphasizes integration of knowledge, application of knowledge, and collaboration. With sustainability, they will be thinking about ways to apply what they’ve learned about sustainability in the real world.”
Leda Casey, senior lecturer of geology, and one of the leaders of IU Kokomo’s sustainability task force, said the topic easily lends itself to all campus majors.
“Sustainability is about ensuring the prosperity of future generations,” she said. “The aim of this week’s events is both to educate and foster a spirit of partnership and action, which are required to build a sustainable world. The topic not only connects us as a campus, but it encourages us to reach out to our surrounding community to achieve a common goal.”
The sustainability undergraduate research exhibit will be displayed in the Library all week, featuring student projects supported by the IU Kokomo Office of Sustainability. Monday through Thursday also includes a “Small Change, Big Impact” table in the Kelley Student Center Commons, featuring daily giveaways such as aluminum water bottles, tree saplings, reusable grocery bags, and others. Topics include water resources Monday, deforestation Tuesday, nutrition Wednesday, and waste management Thursday.
Showcases classes include:
• Global nutrition, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday, April 17, in the Main Building, Rooms 179 and 177, with a sushi walk from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Music theory I and II, 4 p.m. Monday, April 17, Main Building Room 150
• Graphic design production and practice, 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, Main Building Room 208
• Urban and environmental geology, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, Hunt Hall Room 209
Other events include:
• Sustain IU, Sustain Indiana, Sustain YOU presentation by Bill Brown, IU director of sustainability, 1 to 2:15 p.m. Monday, April 17, Kelley Student Center Room 130 B.
• Table Talks: Kokomo and the Car, an Interdisciplinary History, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, Highland Park and Elwood Haynes Museum. Join our panel of scholars and experts for a high octane exploration of how Kokomo has been shaped by the fascinating history of American automobile manufacturing
• Not On Our Campus, Not in Our Community walk for the FSA Domestic Violence Shelter, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, beginning in Alumni Hall
• IU Kokomo Community Advocacy and Relations Expo on Sustainability, 8 to 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 20, Alumni Hall. Meet local sustainability organizations and learn about opportunities to get involved. Presentations by the Wildcat Guardians at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Campus beautification Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 21, pavilion
The first of what will be an annual event, X Week will feature a new topic or theme each time, integrating lessons from all academic programs. It is a product of IU Kokomo’s “KEY” program – the Kokomo Experience and You, which launched in 2016 with the goal of providing students chances to connect with people and participate in real-world experiences.
“X Week is an opportunity for faculty and students to engage in exactly the kind of activity we want to promote with the KEY program,” said Canada.
More information on the Office of Sustainability can be found at iuk.edu/sustainability.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana