| Campus Inquirer | June 2008 |
Dawkins Comes to British Columbia
by Elan Dubrofsky, University of British Columbia It was an exciting day for freethinkers in Vancouver on Thursday April 29th when Richard Dawkins came to give a talk at the University of British Columbia's Chan Center. While the tickets sold out almost immediately, there were some being given out a couple of hours before the event and the long lineup to acquire these tickets showed how big a deal Dawkins's presence was considered. Quite a few members of the newly formed UBC Freethinkers club were present at the event to watch the talk and staff a table with CFI Ontario's executive director Justin Trottier. Dawkins's talk was a summary of the points he makes in his book, The God Delusion, and as expected, he was eloquent and witty in making his arguments. 
Richard Dawkins; the event packed the house at the Chan Auditorium; UBC Freethinkers tabling
The question period following the talk was rather humorous in that a number of the questions asked were about Dawkins's views of vegetarianism. "Is there some sort of lobby here?" inquired the evolutionary biologist, to which someone in the crowd responded, "Welcome to Vancouver." The UBC Freethinkers club looks forward to working with CFI to bring other big-name speakers to Vancouver in the future. Elan Dubrofsky is graduate student at the University of British Columbia studying computer science and is the co-president of the newly-formed UBC Freethinkers club.
Toronto Area Student Groups Visit the Royal Ontario Museum
by Kate Fairbrother, University of Toronto On May 10th, 2008, four campus secular organizations from the Greater Toronto Area came together to visit "Darwin: The Evolution Revolution," a feature exhibition that is currently at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The groups present were the University of Guelph Skeptics; the McMaster Association of Secular Humanists; Freethinkers, Atheists and Skeptics at York; and the University of Toronto Secular Alliance. The trip was arranged in an effort to encourage intercampus group communication and partnership, and it was well attended by approximately 30 people. Our groups had been discussing the possibility of arranging some type of intergroup event for a long time, so when the traveling Darwin exhibit came to the ROM, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get together in a social and educational atmosphere. Most of the logistics of the trip were worked out using the Google Group that has been created for leaders of secular groups on Canadian campuses to discuss issues relevant to Canadian secular organizations and to plan intergroup events like this one. This proved to be an extremely efficient way of communicating, given everyone's busy school schedule during finals. Once a date was chosen, each group leader was in charge of promoting the event to their members and reported the number of people who would be attending to a representative from the McMaster University group who was overseeing the organization of the event. By doing this, we were able to secure a group student discount for all who attended. 
Toronto area student group members in front of the Royal Ontario Museum
The exhibit itself was a fascinating look into Darwin's life and what influenced him personally and professionally as a scientist. The exhibit began with a comprehensive story of Darwin's life, from his childhood, to his experience conducting research on the HMS Beagle, to his later years and the publication of the Origin of Species. It included artifacts such as personal items, books and letters to his colleagues, which allowed visitors to learn about intimate aspects of Darwin's life, and follow the development of his revolutionary theory. The exhibit also had information on the science of evolution and natural selection, complete with fossils and a large display of orchids, highlighting the variation of one species. One particularly effective display was a series of model skulls of human ancestors, tracing the lineage of modern humans. The exhibit also included videos featuring well-known scientists like Eugenie C. Scott and Francis Collins discussing the importance of Darwin's contribution to biology. The display ended with a short but interesting commentary on the various social ramifications of Darwin's theory, including the effect it had on the previously widely held view of Creationism as well as modern Intelligent Design. After we left the museum, we met at CFI Ontario and then at a local restaurant for more discussion about the exhibit. The event was enjoyed by all and served its purpose of connecting members of secular student groups in the same local area. Although we had been in contact electronically before, it was great to put faces to names, and I know it will facilitate future partnership on events and initiatives. Kate Fairbrother has been the president of the University of Toronto Secular Alliance since September 2007. She is going into her fourth year of undergraduate studies, majoring in biology and environmental studies.
CFI Student Leadership Conference 2008 The Center for Inquiry is pleased to announce our 2008 Student Leadership Conference, to be held July 17 - 20 at the Center for Inquiry Transnational in Amherst, NY. The conference features special keynote addresses by Paul Kurtz, Austin Dacey, Robert Price, and high school activist Matthew LaClair, and includes a special performance by world-class magician Max Maven on Saturday evening. 
Paul Kurtz with the attendees of the CFI campus and community leadership conference 2007
The conference marks the 12th anniversary of our campus outreach program and will coincide with the opening weekend of the CFI Institute Summer Session and our annual CFI Community Leaders training weekend. The event brings together student and community activists from around North America for a blowout weekend of workshops, networking, lectures, and top-notch entertainment featuring some of the leading minds in the humanist and skeptic movements. You will not be disappointed! We encourage every campus group to send at least one representative (if not more!) and we are keeping the costs down to make sure this is possible. Registration, room, and board for the entire three-day event cost only $35 for interested students. A limited number of travel and registration grants are available, based on need, to make sure every group can send a representative even if it lacks the resources to do so. The registration form and grant application can be found here. So, what are you waiting for? Send in your registration today, or email Debbie Goddard at dgoddard@centerforinquiry.net for more information. If you would like to help us provide travel grants to the many student group leaders who are eager to come but who cannot afford to pay for their travel, please go to https://secure.ga1.org/05/StudentConference2008.
 Dawkins University Tour T-shirts Available Couldn't make the tour but still want the t-shirt? Here's your chance! These all-cotton pre-shrunk American Apparel t-shirts carry the red Out logo and the Out Campaign website on the front and a list of the universities that took part in the tour on the back. Color: Slate Gray
Sizes: M, L, XL
Cost: $9.00 (includes shipping to U.S. & Canada)  There are three ways to place an order: - Call (716) 636-4869 ext. 200 to place your order by credit card
- Fax your order with credit card information, quantity and sizes, and shipping address to (716) 636-1733
- Mail a check in with the relevant information to: Center for Inquiry, 3965 Rensch Road, Amherst, NY 14228
Get yours today!
New CFI Campus Groups We would like to welcome nine new affiliate and prospective CFI campus groups that have joined CFI since May: Canada University of Calgary, AB
 University of Ottawa, ON United States (alphabetical by state) Pima Community College - Northwest Campus, Tucson, AZ
Mira Costa High School, Manhattan Beach, CA
Naropa University, Denver, CO
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Clemson University, Clemson, SC
East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN To get involved with a group, e-mail driley@centerforinquiry.net, or go to www.campusfreethought.org to help start one on your campus.
The Center for Inquiry's Camp Inquiry 2008 takes place July 13 - 19 in Holland, New York. Camp Inquiry is a place where kids can be themselves. We work toward helping youth confront the challenges of living a non-theistic lifestyle in a world dominated by religious belief and pseudoscience. Grounded on the conviction that kids can begin establishing habits of the good and ethical life early on, Camp Inquiry 2008 adopts a three-part focus: The arts and sciences, the skeptical perspective, and ethical character development comprise an integrated approach to this "Age of Discovery." Campers, counselors, and teachers will address key issues around individual identity, forging trusting relationships, establishing a sense of local and global community, and living with respect for the natural world. Teachers, Counselors, and PMT or LPN needed.
Great resume builder. Stipend offered.
Send resume, letter of interest, or questions to: campinquiry@gmail.com.
Phronesis Workshops on Practical Living:
Scientific and Philosophical Wisdom about the Good Life July 15 - 17, 2008 The goal of the Phronesis Workshops is to give participants practical skills to improve their lives. We offer some of the most valuable and personally relevant findings of research in the humanities and social sciences. In July, experts from various fields, including Philosophy, Cognitive Psychology, and Mental Health, and will conduct workshops focusing on topics at the heart of the human condition. Each workshop will focus on a specialized topic for two hours during the afternoon and two hours in the evening. You can come for any portion of the workshops, or sign up for them all at a reduced rate! Day 1: Morality in a Natural World - Secular Alternatives to Religion
- Morality in a Natural World
- Eupraxsophy: Humanistic Virtues for Happiness
Day 2: The Science of Happiness - Character Strengths for the Good Life
- Living a Beautiful Life
- Art, Music, and Laughter
Day 3: Exiting the Stage Gracefully - Coping with Grief and Death
- Facing Life's Greatest Challenges with Courage and Hope
- Caregiving, Self-advocacy and Advance Directives
General Admission: $20 per day; $50 for the week
Friends of the Center: $10 per day; $25 for the week Optional Catered Lunch: $12 per day To register for the Phronesis Workshops or for more information, contact Corey Neil at cneil@centerforinquiry.net or (716) 636-4869 ext. 409.
CFI Summer Session 2008: The Journey from Religion to Science The Center for Inquiry has a long tradition of providing educational opportunities that help explain the development of the modern worldview, particularly the human journey from dependence on religious beliefs to relying on evidence, inquiry, and evaluation. Summer Session 2008 is a guided tour along this route, raising such questions as: - What are the origins of religion?
- How do we assess the truth claims made by major religions on the basis of their sacred writings?
- What does it mean to lead a "good life" without God?
- What is modern science telling us about how we come to know ourselves and the world beyond us?
- How do we develop a "secular narrative" able to compete with the promises of religion?
Sign up for one, two, or all three Modules: - Module 1: The Anatomy of Religion, July 20 - 27
- Module 2: The Humanist Perspective: Science and Secularism, July 27 - August 3
- Module 3: Being, Doing, and Becoming: The Humanist Good Life, August 3 - 10
The courses offered in 2008 examine the "future" of the Enlightenment, secular and religious dominion in public policy, "the new atheism," and other topics of vital concern for humanists and nonhumanists alike. For further information, contact Courtney Hanny at (716) 636-4869 ext. 407, channy@centerforinquiry.net, or Nathan Bupp at nbupp@centerforinquiry.net.
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