The Decree
since 1960 “of, by, andfor the Wesleyan community. ”
December 15, 2023
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804
Survey: Many Wesleyan Students Not Worried about Global Warming
By Jordyn Matlock
Decree Staff Writer
In a recent survey, NC
Wesleyan University students
expressed mild concern over
the issue of global warming.
One hundred and fifty tradi
tional students responded to the
unscientific survey, which was
conducted in Wesleyan general
education classes in October.
If you’re reading this, you
just survived one of the hottest
summers ever recorded in the
U.S. According to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad
ministration, we just endured the
warmest September in the last
174 years with a global surface
temperature of 61.59 degrees
F, or 2.59 above the average of
59.0° F.
As the planet continues to
heat up, the World Health
Organization predicts that
between 2030 and 2050, there
will be 250,000 yearly deaths
from poor health because of
climate change.
Following is a summary of
the Decree survey results:
Question 1: On a scale of
1-10, how concerned are you
about global warming? (0 = not
concerned at all, 10 = extremely
concerned)
The survey revealed an aver
age score of 5.3 and a median
score of 6 (meaning half of sur
veys gave an answer higher than
6 and half gave one below 6).
Wesleyan’s environmental
science and biology faculty
shared mixed responses on
hearing the results. Dr. Daniel
Elias said he was surprised
that the number was that high.
Based on his interactions with
Wesleyan students in a range of
environmental science courses,
he had expected a lower figure.
He would like to see Wesleyan
students more in line with oth
ers from their generation.
“I believe older generations
don’t see it as a critical global
challenge,” he said. “However,
younger generations have grown
up hearing about global climate
change and global warming.
And they’re now living with the
consequences of it. They see
the more extreme weather events
such as hurricanes, droughts, and
wildfires.”
Dr. Emily Weber, an assistant
professor of biology, expressed
disappointment but acknowl
edged the results as understand
able. “With the college demo
graphic at that age, back then, I
wasn’t that concerned about it
either,” she said. “They’re more
than likely concerned with
homework, exams, and their
social lives.”
Biology Professor Heather
Louch said the results were
to be expected. “College
students aren’t very plugged
into current events surround
ing climate change,” she said.
“Many are in bubbles and
don’t know many news sourc
es outside of social media.”
In fact, when it comes to their
concerns about global warming,
Wesleyan students appear' to be
outlier's among their interna
tional peer's. In a study sparuling
19 countries, the Pew Research
Center found tlrat 75 percent of
respondents deemed global climate
clrarrge as an outstanding mat
ter, followed by 19 percent who
identified it as a minor tlueat, and 5
percent who did not view the mat
ter as a tlueat at all.
Question 2: In terms of
politics, where does global
warming rank as far as your
concerns: top third, middle
third, or bottom third.
The results showed that 22
students, 14.67 percent, catego
rized it as top-third concern,
while 77 students (51.3 percent)
voted it middle-third, and 51
students (34 percent) ranked it
as bottom-third.
“Not surprising because
humans are short-sighted,” Dr.
Louch said. “One-hundred-
and-ten-degree weather in July
and August and now we’re ex
periencing 80-degree weather
one day and 55 degrees the
next in November. Will people
that expect a change vote for
proactive politicians or take on
the responsibilities themselves?
Probably not.”
The Pew Research Center
reports that 37 percent of
Americans believe that the
president and U.S. Congress
should prioritize tackling cli
mate change, followed by the
34 percent who acknowledge
its importance but not as a
prime concern.
Question 3: Have you witnessed
the consequences of global
warming in your daily life?
The results were split down
the middle. Seventy-three
students (48.67 percent) agreed
that they have seen the effects
firsthand, while 77 students
(51.33 percent) said they have
not witnessed any effects.
In detailing their observations,
many students noted last sum
mer’s record-breaking tempera
tures, not to mention the milder
winters of recent years. Following
is a sampling of other responses:
“Sea levels have risen sig
nificantly,” one student wrote.
“I live on the edge of England
right by the sea, so this has not
only impacted myself, but other
residents as well.”
An Australian student con
nected global warming with ir
regular weather patterns that have
lasted for months and brought
extreme weather events like El
Nino and La Nina.
Water-related disasters don’t
just stop there. “Extreme flood
ing has caused major destruction
of forests,” said a student from
Vietnam, who expressed pes
simism about the future in light
of such “devastating effects.”
A Ugandan student described
the insufferable effects of the hu
midity arrd consistent atmospheric
fogging tlrat Irave made it difficult
for their countrymen to breathe.
A North Carolina native
noted that his favorite fishing
pond had begun to dry up.
Question 4: On a scale of
1-10, how concerned are you
about the effects of global
warming on fish and wildlife?
(0 = not concerned at all, 10 =
extremely concerned)
The survey showed that the
average level of concern about
the effects of global warming on
fish and wildlife landed on a 6.
Wesleyarr lacnlty noted tlrat marry
do not realize tlrat wlrat may seem
trivial on a surface level lias a wider
impact outside tire human race.
“Global climate clrarrge affects
migration patterns, the availability
of resources (food, space, mates,
etc.), ciranges in diseases (warmer
temperatures increase the range
of tropical diseases),” Dr. Elias
explained “It will most affect ani
mals tlrat Irave evolved to narrow
ciranges of temperature.”
Dr. Weber reminds students
that species are a daily part of
our ecosystem, adding that “this
enlightening survey propelled
me to do a better job of educat
ing and emphasizing in my 101
classes the overall significance of
global warming.”
Question 5: What’s one step
your government should take
to combat global warming?
Wlrile global warming is rooted
in human activity, we also Irave
the power to clrarrge it. Among the
most common responses, students
want their leaders to:
• encourage alternative forms of en
ergy to eliminate carbon emissiorrs
• provide more funding to researchers
to promote awareness and develop
healthier Irabits among Americarrs
• invest in safer, cleaner public
transportation
• administer firres fa - regional violations
• implement stricter laws on energy
production and corrservation tlrat all
rratiorrs should be required to sign
Question 6: What’s one step
NC Wesleyan can take as an or
ganization to help address global
warming?
Actions do not solely fall on
NC Wesleyan Student-Athletes Describe Their Ideal Coach
By Maty Alice Butler
Senior Staff Writer
Colm Scoggins, a third base-
man on tire baseball team, shared
insights into Iris preferences and
experiences with coaches. The
junior said he likes a coaching
style that allows for self-discoveiy,
particularly hr fixing aspects like
tutting. Scoggins values passionate
coaches who care about their play
ers, believing that tills commitment
hanslates into success on the field.
Scoggins was one of the
several accomplished Wesleyan
atliletes inteiviewed about their
personal preference on coach
ing styles and behaviors. Players
were asked what types of coach
ing they respond to best, and how
different coaching types play into
their individual success.
When it comes to feedback,
Scoggins acknowledges tlie useful
ness of botli constructive criti
cism and positive reinforcement,
understanding the importance of
timing and context. Higli repetition,
such as taking giound balls daily,
stands out as a ciucial metliod for
improvement, helping him to grasp
different situations. ‘Tliis helps me
The Bishops men’s basketball team
opened the season with a win over
Randolph College. Kyron Kelly led
the way with 14 rebounds and 13
points. Turn to pages 5-6 for sports,
including a profile ofWesleyan
assistant coach Cornelius Snow
(pictured). Photo courtesy of Jackson Thompson
the government. Students shared
a wide range of opinions regard
ing reaching out and educating
students and faculty members.
“Get together and come up
with some solutions and bring it
to the attention of the adminis
tration,” said one student.
A second student recommended
starting a club for members of
the Wesleyarr community “who
are enthrrsiastic on the topic” of
protecting the environment
A tlrird urged tlrat the college
take a leading role in informing
students about the hazards of glob
al warming: “Send out emails,”
one respondent wrote, “letting us
krrow more about recent detrimen
tal effects to get us thinking.”
Another student urged the univer
sity to make better decisiorrs. “Stop
cutting down trees around campus,”
tire student wrote, addirrg, “Every
day, I see these outdoor classrooms,
arrd no one is using them”
Some suggestions were more
extreme. One student wanted to
ban cars from campus.
Others showed less optimism
as they accepted what could be
Earth’s irreversible fate, and oth
ers remained perplexed by the
issue. “There’s not much we can
do since we’re so small in the
world,” said one student who Irad
ranked global warming as the
least of their concerns.
Question 7: What’s one
change you can make in your
understand how to recover from
mistakes and helps me build off of
it eveiy day,” he said.
Scoggins responds positively to
challenging coaches who foster a
competitive mindset. He prefers to
handle setbacks independently or
with teammates rather than relying
too heavily on support or pressure
from coaches. Scoggins states tliat
he looks up to humble atliletes
as an inspiration. Wliile staying
humble, he identifies liis short-teim
goal as whrning the conference
championship and the Division III
World Series, with long-teim as-
pirations centered around learning
life lessons from the sport.
He values progress measurement
in the foim of statistics but refrains
from looking at them until the end
of the season, preferring to focus
on consistent execution during
play. For maintaining motivation
throughout tlie season, Scoggins
emphasizes the importance of mea
surable progress outside of in-game
stats, such as gains hi tlie weight
room to improve confidence, and
fuel his drive for continuous growth.
Amber Pierce, a sophomore
defensive specialist on the volley-
ball team, expressed a preference
for a hands-on coaching style tliat
is direct in pointing out areas for
improvement, as long as the com-
munication is not overly harsh.
“I like a coach who is direct and
tells me wliat I’m doing wrong,”
Pierce said. “I like knowing what I
need to work on and how to do it.”
She highlights her 16-yeai' ex
perience in club volley ball as pai-
ticulaiiy impactful. She stated the
coach’s belief in her and empliasis
on her importance to the team as
key factors in her growth. When
it comes to feedback, Pierce
finds a balance between positive
reinforcement and constructive
criticism most effective, stressing
the importance of maintaining a
supportive tone. Pierce responds
best to nurturing and supportive
coaches, acknowledging her own
tendency to be hard on herself.
daily life to help address
global warming?
Climate change experts
believe that it’s not too late for
Americans to combat the crisis.
Climate change is inevitable,
but it doesn’t have to be acceler
ated. An individual’s actions
may seem miniscule in a world
population of eight billion, but
collectively, we can make a sig
nificant difference for genera
tions to come.
Climate experts have predict
ed catastrophic effects if global
temperatures rise 1.5 degrees
C (2.7 F) in coming years. But
in a recent journal article, Jeff
Tollefson suggested that it’s still
possible to cut carbon emissions
and limit global warming with
a surge in wind and solar power.
He has called for such alterna
tives to make up 70 percent of
energy sources.
See WARMING pg 4
Wesleyan students took a
guided tour of Costa Rica over
summer break. See story page 4.
Photo courtesy of A. Modlin
In handling setbacks and
failures, she prefers a coach who
provides support and empathy,
iclps her recover mentally , and of-
ers reassurance. Pierce sets short-
teim goals to contribute to her team
as well as her long-teim goals to
become an all-conference player,
relying on coaches to remind her of
these goals and instill confidence.
For tracking progress, personal
milestones and aclrievements
resonate more with her than statisti
cal data, as tliis allows her to focus
on enjoying tire sport without too
much pressure. To stay motivated
and focused, she values positive
affirmations and belief from her
coach, recognizing tire impact of
confidence on her performance.
Gustavo Rivas, a junior tennis
player from Venezuela, favors
a more hands-on and directive
coaching style, emphasizing
the importance of trusting the
coach’s guidance to build a solid
coach-athlete relationship. Rivas
highlights the impact of his for
mer coach, who served as a men
tor and second father during his
time on the Junior Tennis Tour.
He noted that their close relation
ship was cultivated both on and
oft the court, providing valuable
life lessons as it contributed to
his personal and athletic growth.
Rivas prefers receiving feedback
nr tlie foim of constructive criticism
“Going straight to tlie point makes
it easier for me to understand wliat I
have to focus on more,” he said
His old coach’s organized
training program, paired witli the
freedom for self-directed practice,
was a ciucial coaching technique
tliat benefitted liim. Wliile he
values supportive coaches, Rivas
acknowledges that more challeng
ing and demanding coaches tend
to yield better outcomes.
Wlien facing setbacks, he adopts
a mindset of indifference to main
tain focus and confidence. Patrick
Mouratodou’s philosophy, rooted
in individual effort and discipline,
See COACH pg 4