Dale Parker

Professor Marx

English 134

23 November 2004

Baker is Right

Because Cal Poly has over ten thousand acres of landscape, ÒsustainabilityÓ is a fitting issue for Cal Poly faculty and students. This topic of ÒSustainabilityÓ became a concern for Cal Poly when hundreds of environmental advocates gathered together in celebration of Earth Day 2004. At this event, Warren J. Baker welcomed the crowd and introduced his support for the Talloires Declaration. The Talloires Declaration, from 1990, is a statement that supports sustainability on university campuses. In President BakerÕs speech he stated that the University has already taken steps outlined in the Declaration to promote management of resources and preserve environmental values. Supported by his evidence, his claim that Cal Poly finds it fitting and appropriate to associate itself with the Talloires Agreement is valid and credible.

            During President BakerÕs speech, he presents logical evidence that supports his central claim that it is appropriate for Cal Poly to be a part of the Talloires Agreement. Baker explains that it is important for Cal Poly to sign this declaration because Cal Poly is the perfect place to support the growing ideas of sustainability.  As a Polytechnic school, Baker states that the university already concerns itself with sustainable issues. In a polytechnic university, it is important for the faculty to present knowledge that is applicable to improving society. Cal Poly as a polytechnic university already instructs in the areas of technical arts or applied sciences. In fact, Cal PolyÕs educational motto is ÒLearn by Doing.Ó This definition supports BakerÕs idea that Cal Poly is the best place to practice Òsustainability.Ó For example, Baker says that Cal Poly offers many majors and technical classes, such as environmental engineering in the College of Engineering, whose goals focus on the importance of the environment. I later discovered that students in this major can focus on air pollution control, water and wastewater engineering, and hazardous and toxic waste management, all of which positively influence the environment and preserve natural resources (http://ceenve.calpoly.edu/env_prog.html). Also, Cal Poly offers classes including Environmental Impact Analysis, Resource Recreation Management and Harvesting and Utilization. Students in these classes learn the importance of the environment through first hand experience.

Baker also uses the Master Plan as important backing behind the universityÕs association with the Talloires Declaration. Under the Master Plan, the campus is responsible for its environment and for bio diversity and energy conservation. Baker explains that the adoption of the Master Plan requires Cal Poly to review and monitor building projects in order to comply with environmental and irrigation requirements, putting it in direct compliance with the Talloires Agreement. The Master Plan also calls for an environmentally supportive campus. To accommodate the increased enrollment of students, energy and resource efficient space has been developed by the plan. As a result of this Plan, Cal Poly proves to be proactive on sustainability issues. 

             While speaking to hundreds of environmentalists, Baker gains positive support for the Talloires Declaration. Instead of merely introducing himself, he tells the audience that he is Òpleased to join Dean Jones in welcoming you to this convocationÉÓ (pg. 1). Through using optimistic words like ÒpleasedÓ and Òwelcoming,Ó President Baker appeals to their left brain emotions.   He personally associates himself with the audience and his mission of gaining support for the Agreement. Baker also ties the audience into the speech through pronoun references. He states, ÒAs you can see on their Web page, our Facilities Planning Department has embraced key principles of the environmental, social and economic sustainabilityÓ (pg. 2). By using the pronouns, Òyou,Ó Òwe,Ó and Òour,Ó Baker includes the audience in his desire for Cal Poly to understand the importance of sustainability.  He also makes direct associations with the students at Cal Poly through his statements about their involvement in environmental learning. He says that ÒÉCal Poly provides education for environmentally responsible citizenship, through its educational programs, in polytechnic and other emphasis areasÓ (pg 2). Through these connections, Baker gains support from a wide variety of students in addition to faculty members.  Therefore, more people are likely to believe his claim that it is appropriate for Cal Poly to join the Talloires Agreement.

            As the president of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Warren Baker automatically receives a large amount of credibility. Through his speech, it is evident that he has made it his responsibility to make sustainability an important part of Cal Poly. Also, he acknowledges important people such as Dr. Orr, Dean Jones and Dr. Steven Marx as contributors to the movement.  Because of their strong involvement in the areas of sustainability, these individuals ultimately support his central claim and give BakerÕs speech more credibility.

            When I read BakerÕs speech, it was hard for me to understand the nature of his appeal. However, after I researched many of the points that Baker presented as support for his claim, his evidence appeared complete. His examples of environmental practices at Cal Poly made me appreciate the special majors and programs the school offers. I now understand the importance of sustainability and support President BakerÕs association with the Talloires Declaration.

 

Works Cited

Author Unknown. Civil and Environmental Engineering.

            http://ceenve.calpoly.edu/env_prog.html.

Baker, Warren J. Education for Sustainability: Engaging the Polytechnic University.

            http://cla.calpoly.edu/~smarx/April232004/bakertalloires.htm. 2004.