Mountain Top Removal

Our topic for our class discussion the past two weeks has been the removal of mountain tops for mining purposes. As many of you believe, and I myself being an environmental science major believe this is just an absolute atrocity to nature. Sure we need coal and other natural resources to run things in our country but can we not try and support more environmentally friendly ways of this? Some day when all of our nations natural environment is destroyed because of miners and other companies destroying nature in order to make a profit, we will look back and wish we had found another better source of fuel and other things that would have saved us our beautiful landscape. If we choose to be a better greener nation than we will not only save our environment, but we will set a new goal for other nations to become like us and go green. It only takes one to get the ball rolling and once that happens, it's all downhill from there. In order to stop things such as mountain top removal, we need to get enough support from our people to stop this by organizing nonviolent strikes, petitions, and marches as well as get the support from our legislators and other officials who give these companies that destroy our environment the ability to do so. If we can get high officials backing our cause then we can slowly but surely get others involved and aware of what is happening to our environment and take down these giant monopolies that are in it for profit no matter what it does to the environment. Another way to help our cause would be to attempt to place some sort of law that forces mining companies to put so much money and manpower into rebuilding the environment in which it destroys, that way they can at least give back part of what they destroyed. The best way to save our environment however is to put more money into research for better, safer, and cleaner ways to power our country.

Gender Neutral Housing

The topic of gender neutral housing has been one that has been discussed by councils in colleges all over the world for ages. As it pertains to Juniata, we do not allow gender neutral housing as of yet nor do I see it happening anytime in the near future but why?? No one really knows the exact reason but it doesn't make much sense. In going to college, are we not becoming adults and have the rights to live where we want with who we want and do as we please as long as it doesn't break the law? I for one believe we should. Anyone else who does not go to college our age has the right to live with whomever they choose whether it be a man or a women so why not allow that on campus? We have every right to choose to live with whoever we want regardless of the situation or imposed "rules" of that campuses council. Whether men and women are allowed to room with each other or not, whatever it may be that is feared of happening by those in charge of these students such as pregnancy or whatever it may be can still happen. Juniata does not impose a curfew or anything and whoever is in your room is not regulated whatsoever. I personally have had my girlfriend stay with me quite often over night, and although she does not go to this school, she has not caused any problems nor do the RA's or RD's have any problem of any sorts with it. I feel that if we are seen as "adults" than we should be able to make "adult" decisions. As long as its not directly hurting someone who's to really say whom we can live with? If someone has a problem with living with females or males then there are other housing options that will allow them to live with someone they are much more comfortable with so why not allow it. I don't see the housing arrangements changing anytime soon but I feel quite strongly that nothing bad would happen if gender neutral housing was introduced to the Juniata campus, after all we are adults and can make decisions on our own.