Since 2012, UW Oshkosh has been exploring the idea of a tobacco free campus. Now is the time for community members to have their say on the matter.  The university has a  page , where people can follow a link to the " current policy draft ", which isn't the latest draft I've seen at shared governance meetings, but nevertheless, people may leave comments and suggestions in the online form at the bottom. Our campus has bigger problems to address, and better things to spend money on than door signs and more enforcement. No doubt, if the policy passes, there will be issues with people smoking inside and outside of the buildings, anyway, and property damage, and community neighbors disgruntled. If we can't afford to enforce the policy, then let it be a resolution for the time being. Let people sign a pledge to join the initiative. We can measure our numbers over time, continue to educate, and watch the numbers grow as buy-in increases. This is a po

What happened at UW Stevens Point  (UWSP) is tragic, and we cannot allow it to happen at Oshkosh. At a shared governance meeting last fall, when I asked our Chancellor about his take on  UWSP’s attack on the social sciences and humanities , he did not condemn it. I understood him to say that he thought their Chancellor was simply complying, doing what he was called upon to do. Education for the 21st century is enhanced by including, not excluding or undervaluing, the traditional and classical disciplines of the Liberal Arts and Sciences . They remain relevant. If we are to lead, and not just serve, in the economy of the future, our students need more than business degrees, service degrees, and vocational training. We need minds trained to think, adapt, and innovate, and that is what  students who graduate with COLS degrees excel at doing . In my opinion, each person, every department and program in COLS, large and small, is an essential part of the College and the University as a w

On the most beautiful Saturday Oshkosh, Wisconsin has seen this year, Rob Clancy and Laura Zirbel were up early, advocating for public health and the environment, representing AFSCME Local 579 at the March for Science. Rob Clancy, Local 579 Vice President  and  Treasurer at the  Oshkosh March for  Science,  with organizer, Prof. Misty McPhee. Clancy works at UW Oshkosh in Classroom Technology. He is the person who maintains technology in the classrooms and comes on call to rescue the class when the projector won't turn on.  Zirbel works at the Circulation Desk in Oshkosh's Polk Library, helping people find study spots, media, and  answers .  Both Clancy and Zirbel take care of essential tasks behind the scenes that most people never see. They are two of the people on staff who make UW Oshkosh happen. They  also donate their time by serving as officers in AFSCME Local 579, making Oshkosh and its university a better place to learn, live, and work.   Around 250 commu