The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

UVM recognized in top ten schools hosting Focus the Nation

Starting this past Sunday, the University of Vermont campus will be participating in an event that will go down in history. Focus the Nation is a week-long endeavor designed to unite students, faculty, staff and the entire community in the fight against climate change across the United States. This year is the first annual Focus the Nation. The idea originally stemmed from two professors; one is from Lewis and Clark and the other is from Middlebury College. UVM has been recognized as one of the top ten out of 1,400 participating institutions for the breadth and scope of its planned events. Throughout the week there will be lectures, discussions, panels, workshops and various forms of entertainment, including movies and a one-woman play. In addition, professors from a gamut of departments will host over 70 teach-ins. Valerie Esposito and Samir Doshi, two UVM graduate students, are the coordinating members of the committee at the University. “We want to move beyond the debate about science and create actual solutions for global warming,” Esposito said. Since the beginning of September the Steering Commit?tee behind Focus the Nation has met to discuss and organize the details of this week. Esposito also mentioned that a great deal of man- and brain-power have gone into making this week a success. “I am excited at how many people are supporting [Focus the Nation],” Doshi said. “We are using climate change as a catalyst to unite groups within the University and Burlington.” There is already enormous student interest and community effort, according to Doshi, but he and Esposito encourage everyone on campus to attend at least one event. The main message the Focus the Nation committee wants to send is: tell someone and get to the events. “Reading emails and the newspaper isn’t enough, but telling five people will really spread the word,” Doshi said. The week’s calendar of events will end with a speak-out and rally on Friday. Visit www.uvm.edu/climatechange for a full list of events.

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UVM recognized in top ten schools hosting Focus the Nation