My Campus Walk

Our class walk through the multiple ecosystems of FGCU was, in my opinion, an extremely enlightening and enjoyable one.  Aside from the interesting facts and history that surrounds our campus, the walk really made everything that was presented to us come to life and give us the ability to really surround and experience our natural campus.  I think it was a wonderful and much needed experience.  It is not enough that the nature walks are there for us, because not all of our students would take advantage of it.  I liked the fact that through this course, we are required to not only learn but experience our campus.  Even if some of the students never walk the nature trails ever again, at least they gained more knowledge about our school history and (hopefully, on some level) became more connected with the campus.
In my opinion, FGCU is (or is at least trying its best) to fulfill its mission of "eco-empowerment."  Universities (and FGCU is no exception) are run (and seen to businessmen) more like businesses, and in regards to a business I feel that FGCU is not doing too bad of a job at trying to become somewhat 'sustainable' and 'eco-friendly.'  I feel that FGCU is doing the best they can and the best they know how, in regards to a business trying to fulfill an environmental mission/promise/obligation.  Even though I feel that a lot of  the reason our mission came about because of all of the controversy and protest around its construction, the school is trying its best to please its community of people and nature in being sustainable and 'green.'  Our tour guide, Tyler, mentioned that everything is a trade-off, and in the case of FGCU it is a perfect example.  My being an Orientation Leader and Orientation Team Leader as a representative of the university for two years has allowed me to feel extremely passionate about this school, good and bad.  I am always in defense of the university and trying to see situations from the perspective of the school, especially since I was trained to as a representative and as just a naturally positive and spirited person by nature.  I feel that the building and mission of FGCU may not have necessarily been out of good will, but I feel that its mission is good, nonetheless.  I see it as a positive movement, regardless, and that as long as we are trying our best to uphold that movement that the university is setting out what it was meant to do - and in my opinion, it is doing the best it knows how to.