ION WEBER STATE COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MARCH — 1972 people who want to keep highways out of all scenic areas so that only back packers can have access to those parts. These people are all well trained to do their job, but they cannot see beyond their job or ‘their own special interests. It should be pointed out that some refuse to see beyond their job or their special interest. It is possible to nave wise multiple use of our environment. THE TRAIL BIKE RIDER, BACK PACKER, AUTOMBILE TOURIST, INDUSTRY LEADER, ETC., CAN FIT INTO THE PICTURE. Each individual will have some restriction placed upon him, but these restrictions will make it possible for him to use what is his. Through wise education, present and potential problems which conern the environment can be avoided. The consequences of “‘rule breaking’ can be pointed out by wise, well-trained individuals. People in industries such as manufacturing, banking, development, design, etc., should be exposed to discussions conducted by people who are by Dr. David S. Havertz —P _—— Dr. David S. Havertz, Associate Professor of Zoology came to Weber State College in 1965. He received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. at Oregon State and the University of Utah. He did post doctorate work at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He was in the Air Force from 1962-65 as a research and consulting parasipologlist and _ medical entomologist; consultant to 134 Air Force hospitals and instructor in aero space medicine working with medical entomology and sanitary engineering. ! His research includes Pesticide Resistance, Chagas disease in Texas and he has produced 15 publications. He was director of the Environmental studies center at Weber and his extra curricular activities include Boy Scouts and Little League Baseball. } ) } } | ) Two subjects are repeatedly being discussed by local and national new commentators: the Vietnam situation and environmental problems. President Nixon has commented on the seriousness of environmental misuse in four major addresses, and the Environmental Education Act passed the Senate and House by an overwWhelming majority. We would probably be safe in saying that the 1970’s will be the environmental decade. The public has already seen groups of people become rabid extremists in their philosophies. Most of these camps are well fortified with untrained articulates who quote equally untrained authors in their attempt to sway public groups and officials to their particular ideas. The public is caught ) between these conflicting groups } many cases, wonder who is correct. ) and, in Technology has, indeed, made mistakes in an attempt to eliminate wastes. The results 7} of many of these mistakes were accumulating so slowly that the majority of the people did not notice the gradual change in ‘the environment. Failure, the great _} educator, went unnoticed except by a few } well-trained people who attempted to point | out mistakes to the guilty parties. Some of _} the offenders, when they learned they were offensive, took steps toward correcting the problems that they were causing. competent, Dr. David S. Havertz Many of the offenders who did not heed the early warnings were simply unaware of the seriousness of their actions. These people did not have previous training which enabled them to recognize their own mistakes, even when pointed out to them. Herein lies a basic reason for many problems: narrowly trained and often stubborn people. Today, we see people who are concerned about their environment and express their concern in many ways. One group purchased and buried an automobile to register their displeasure. We must wonder how much landscaping, scholarships, or general cleanup could have been done with this money and effort. Many of today’s concerned students are so locked into their degreegetting programs that they cannot acquire the necessary tools to rationally see the problems or attempt to suggest feasible solutions. Many students both high school and college, will enter society and, as in the past, build their ‘‘block of concrete” with little or no thought of anything but financial remuneration. The words of the late President Kennedy could be paraphrased and engraved on each diploma, ‘‘It is not what I take from society, but what I contribute to society.” In today’s complex society, we cannot afford to train people to do their job and only their job. We have examples of how this has failed in the past. There have been land developers and builders who could not see the adverse effects of modifying a watershed when they built subdivisions in mountain areas. These housing developments not only destroy winter range, but could contaminate ground water because of lack of proper sewer connections. Some developers reflect the idea of building your home in the high mountain area to “avoid all that pollution.” The oil company executive who commented, ‘We have enough real problems without dreaming up more,” is as wrong as the not just vociferous. At Weber State College, we have a Center for Environmental Studies. This center was made possible through the generous gift of a philanthropist who cares about preserving a livable environment. Mr. Ronald V. Jensen, a native of Huntsville, Utah, cares. The Environmental Studies Center is made up of faculty members who have had experiences in their own fields. The center therefore becomes a focal point for undergraduate education as well as faculty and student research. Each member of our committee is very much aware of the fact that a solution to any environmental problem will result only when investigators from various specialties unite in their efforts. We recognize that technology caused problems, and technology can solve the problems. Local government and service groups have used the talents of our committee members. Our present committee is composed of scientists who represent both biological and physical sciences. We are planning to expand and invite people from the behavioral science area to assist us. One of the goals of the center is to show the individual that he can cause an environmental problem, and he can solve an environmental problem. We start with the individual as the target instead of the public in general. Problems are not stated in broad, sweeping generalities, but problems within our realm are pointed out and many of these such as littering, excessive noise and hillside destruction can be attacked and solved by the individual. A class entitled Environment Appreciation is offered each quarter. This class is multidisciplined, in that scientists who are experts in specific areas serve as guest lecturers. These highly trained individuals are available to answer questions and make suggestions which are in line with other disciplines of the center. ymphony for ac Stern who Jnited States pe, and was »e invited to after World rector of the r the evening program in‘Academic 3, and the ‘Mr. Stern as »0sSium made State faculty tate College, ) The Future. : Lein, School Family Life; locophy: Dr. ‘upations and hnology. The .. Helmut P. ze Academic ne 500 guests aff members community, 1eon to hear apton deliver ne Inaugural a2 Rampton understands 1er education to critically nd to initiate le our higher yn it needs to ssed to some ‘ion, the new s to take and ‘lege will play ducation. 23 Abuse Peres Environmental Mio Ce=: Why