Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Civility- Can you live by it?
Civility is something that has been talked about a lot on Furman's campus. What is civility though? According to Dictionary.com civility is defined as:
1. courtesy; politeness.
2. a polite action or expression: an exchange of civilities.
3. Archaic . civilization; culture; good breeding.
Have you lived you life civilly? This is something that will be important throughout your life, something that you will have to master, especially when you leave Furman. Below is a breakdown of what civility is and why we should care about it:
"Civility is an authentic respect for others that requires time, presence, willingness to engage in genuine discourse and intention to seek common ground. Civility matters because treating one another with respect is requisite to communicating effectively, building community and creating high-functioning teams. Without civility, we miss opportunities to really listen and understand other points of view."
(http://www.reflectionsonnursingleadership.com/pages/vol36_1_clark2_civility.aspx)
I know that some people think that you cannot have lively debates if you want to be civil. But I want to say that that is not true. You can definitely have debates about issues and conversations with people, but conduct them in a civil way; a way where you are not yelling at each other and really respecting each other’s positions and beliefs.
Below are some steps that you can take to have civil conversations with people and to live your life with civility. If you keep these in mind you will be able to live by civility, which will be necessary for you to succeed in life.
Respect Others - Honor other people and their opinions, especially in the midst of a disagreement.
Think Positively - Keep an open mind and assume others have good intentions.
Pay Attention - Be aware and attend to the world and the people around you.
Make a Difference - Get involved.
Speak Kindly - Choose not to spread or listen to gossip.
Say Thank You - Let others know they are appreciated.
Accepts Others - Our differences are what make us interesting.
Rediscover Silence - Keep noise to a minimum.
Listen - Focus on others in order to better understand their points of view.
Keep Your Cool - Accept life's challenges with grace.
Think Positively - Keep an open mind and assume others have good intentions.
Pay Attention - Be aware and attend to the world and the people around you.
Make a Difference - Get involved.
Speak Kindly - Choose not to spread or listen to gossip.
Say Thank You - Let others know they are appreciated.
Accepts Others - Our differences are what make us interesting.
Rediscover Silence - Keep noise to a minimum.
Listen - Focus on others in order to better understand their points of view.
Keep Your Cool - Accept life's challenges with grace.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lots of Updates!!
Hey Residents,
There are a lot of updates to let you know of:
First of all, Fire Safety inspections are coming up. My partner and I will be coming around on Monday (February 27th) around 4:45. I know that some of you have emailed me about scheduling a time to come around. My partner and I have very busy schedules so this was the only time that worked. If this does not work for someone and you have a legitimate reason for not being able to make that time and for us scheduling a time then we will work around it. Please email me about that.
Secondly, in my next one-on-one with my boss, Edward J. Young, we will be walking around the building and checking porches and such. Please make sure that you have all apartment furniture off the balconies, which includes sofas, love seats, desk chairs and any other clothed furniture. Also please make sure that your balcony looks decent and put together.
Thirdly, spring walk throughs from the custodial staff are coming up this week as well. I will be posting a flyer on the blog about that as well. Please make sure that you follow the instructions on the flyer. Please take as much stuff off the walls and doors as posible so that they can fix problems and holes. Repairs will be made after the walk throughs. This is in an effort to help with the repair process at the end of the year.
Fourthly, please be mindful of noise. I have heard that some people are getting FUPO called on them because of noise. Some are legitimate claims and some end up being people watching TV. Please go talk to the apartment who you think is making the noise and talk to them about it. In the real world you will not have an RA or Public Safety and you will have to learn to confront people. If the problem persists, please don't hesitate to call Public Safety or myself, but talk to them first.
Fifthly, please make sure that you are locking your doors. We have had people spotted on this campus who should not be on campus and have been aprehended. Please make sure that you are keeping your front door AND patio door locked to ensure your safety and the safety of your belongings. We will be checking these when we are doing Fire Safety Inspections and doing the "Dum Dum" and "Smarty" exercise. I believe most of you remember this from the residence halls.
Please never hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns and especially in cases of emergency. My cell number is on all the emails I send out as well as the sheet I gave the apartments at the beginning of the year.
Michael
There are a lot of updates to let you know of:
First of all, Fire Safety inspections are coming up. My partner and I will be coming around on Monday (February 27th) around 4:45. I know that some of you have emailed me about scheduling a time to come around. My partner and I have very busy schedules so this was the only time that worked. If this does not work for someone and you have a legitimate reason for not being able to make that time and for us scheduling a time then we will work around it. Please email me about that.
Secondly, in my next one-on-one with my boss, Edward J. Young, we will be walking around the building and checking porches and such. Please make sure that you have all apartment furniture off the balconies, which includes sofas, love seats, desk chairs and any other clothed furniture. Also please make sure that your balcony looks decent and put together.
Thirdly, spring walk throughs from the custodial staff are coming up this week as well. I will be posting a flyer on the blog about that as well. Please make sure that you follow the instructions on the flyer. Please take as much stuff off the walls and doors as posible so that they can fix problems and holes. Repairs will be made after the walk throughs. This is in an effort to help with the repair process at the end of the year.
Fourthly, please be mindful of noise. I have heard that some people are getting FUPO called on them because of noise. Some are legitimate claims and some end up being people watching TV. Please go talk to the apartment who you think is making the noise and talk to them about it. In the real world you will not have an RA or Public Safety and you will have to learn to confront people. If the problem persists, please don't hesitate to call Public Safety or myself, but talk to them first.
Fifthly, please make sure that you are locking your doors. We have had people spotted on this campus who should not be on campus and have been aprehended. Please make sure that you are keeping your front door AND patio door locked to ensure your safety and the safety of your belongings. We will be checking these when we are doing Fire Safety Inspections and doing the "Dum Dum" and "Smarty" exercise. I believe most of you remember this from the residence halls.
Please never hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns and especially in cases of emergency. My cell number is on all the emails I send out as well as the sheet I gave the apartments at the beginning of the year.
Michael
Monday, February 6, 2012
Passive Programming: Sustainibility
Hey Residents,
So most people have heard about sustainability but some people might not know there are three pillars to sustainability; Environmental, Financial and Social. Most people hear about how they can be environmentally sustainable, and the other two are just along for the ride. Well make sure you take into account the other two because they are just as important.
"The idea is to promote usage of those resources that is both efficient and responsible, and likely to provide long-tem benefits. In the case of a business operation, economic sustainability calls for using resources so that the business continues to function over a number of years, while consistently returning a profit. The idea is to aid in identifying areas of the operation in which resources are not being utilized in the most efficient manner, and take the steps to correct the situation."
This is taken from a website regarding economic sustainability. They are trying to say that you need to use all of your resources accordingly. You need to make sure that you are helping those areas that are not using their resources to the fullest and make sure that they are gaining you the results that you want.
I know that this is economic sustainability and that most times it is addressed monetarily but you can turn this around onto your lives and make sure that everything in your life is working the way that it should and gaining you the right results. If there is a part that is not working for you, take some time this week and reflect and see what you can adjust and change about it. This can be anything from budgeting you money and time better to studying more to working out more. There are a number of things that you can do to improve aspects of your life that you do not think are going at 100%.
So residents, take some time this week and reflect on your time here. As a senior I have definitely taken time over this year to reflect back on my time here at Furman and there are definitely some things that I would have changed. For those of you who are Sophomores and Juniors, don't waste this time, change what isn't working, be more sustainable in your life for the long haul. For those Seniors in the building, your time here at Furman is coming to a close quicker then you want to realize so take this time to look back on your time and adjust for the future so that you are condensing or fixing things that aren't working and continuing on the path of life the best person that you can be.
So most people have heard about sustainability but some people might not know there are three pillars to sustainability; Environmental, Financial and Social. Most people hear about how they can be environmentally sustainable, and the other two are just along for the ride. Well make sure you take into account the other two because they are just as important.
"The idea is to promote usage of those resources that is both efficient and responsible, and likely to provide long-tem benefits. In the case of a business operation, economic sustainability calls for using resources so that the business continues to function over a number of years, while consistently returning a profit. The idea is to aid in identifying areas of the operation in which resources are not being utilized in the most efficient manner, and take the steps to correct the situation."
This is taken from a website regarding economic sustainability. They are trying to say that you need to use all of your resources accordingly. You need to make sure that you are helping those areas that are not using their resources to the fullest and make sure that they are gaining you the results that you want.
I know that this is economic sustainability and that most times it is addressed monetarily but you can turn this around onto your lives and make sure that everything in your life is working the way that it should and gaining you the right results. If there is a part that is not working for you, take some time this week and reflect and see what you can adjust and change about it. This can be anything from budgeting you money and time better to studying more to working out more. There are a number of things that you can do to improve aspects of your life that you do not think are going at 100%.
So residents, take some time this week and reflect on your time here. As a senior I have definitely taken time over this year to reflect back on my time here at Furman and there are definitely some things that I would have changed. For those of you who are Sophomores and Juniors, don't waste this time, change what isn't working, be more sustainable in your life for the long haul. For those Seniors in the building, your time here at Furman is coming to a close quicker then you want to realize so take this time to look back on your time and adjust for the future so that you are condensing or fixing things that aren't working and continuing on the path of life the best person that you can be.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
WELCOME BACK!!
Hey Residents of North Village D,
I want to first welcome you all back to school. I would also like to welcome the new residents of NV D, I hope that your semester is starting off strong. For those residents who don't know, the CA's have a blog that we will be maintaining as a way for the residents to reseve updates and news about housing and campus. Please make sure that you check this blog whenever you get a chance for updates. I will be emailing you when I have updated the blog with a link.
Here are the updates that I have for you now:
1) The spring roster is out and I need EVERYONE to sign it. I should be coming around to the apartments tonight (hopefully) to try and get your signature. If you are not there PLEASE stop by my apartment and sign it. The roster is due Tuesday.
2) Greek recruitment will be this weekend and next. The main thing that you need to be aware of is that there will be sororities in NV J Community Center in the mornings, so please do not be shocked if it wakes you up. So plan accordingly and put in ear buds if you are a light sleeper.
Please contact me if you have any questions about anything and I will help you in any way I can. I am here for you all so let me know.
Michael
I want to first welcome you all back to school. I would also like to welcome the new residents of NV D, I hope that your semester is starting off strong. For those residents who don't know, the CA's have a blog that we will be maintaining as a way for the residents to reseve updates and news about housing and campus. Please make sure that you check this blog whenever you get a chance for updates. I will be emailing you when I have updated the blog with a link.
Here are the updates that I have for you now:
1) The spring roster is out and I need EVERYONE to sign it. I should be coming around to the apartments tonight (hopefully) to try and get your signature. If you are not there PLEASE stop by my apartment and sign it. The roster is due Tuesday.
2) Greek recruitment will be this weekend and next. The main thing that you need to be aware of is that there will be sororities in NV J Community Center in the mornings, so please do not be shocked if it wakes you up. So plan accordingly and put in ear buds if you are a light sleeper.
Please contact me if you have any questions about anything and I will help you in any way I can. I am here for you all so let me know.
Michael
Monday, November 7, 2011
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