Campus News

Life raft.

UB faculty argue whose field is more crucial to society in annual debate

By MARCENE ROBINSON

Published February 5, 2016 This content is archived.

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“The Life Raft Debate is a unique opportunity for students to see faculty members justify the value of their disciplines in a fun way. ”
Christina Giunta, assistant director
Undergraduate Academies

If the world were to restart today, who would be more vital to your new society: a geologist or a historian?

This question and more will be answered during the fifth annual Life Raft Debate, where a handful of professors will share their best case for why their field of study is the most crucial to society.

The event, sponsored by the Undergraduate Academies and the University Honors College, will take place from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 10 in 107 Capen Hall, North Campus.

This year’s scenario involves a group of survivors — the audience — setting sail to rebuild society due to an approaching disaster that could destroy humanity. A group of UB faculty are vying to board the raft; however, there is only a single seat left.

Each professor has the opportunity to defend his or her discipline and offer rebuttals to the others. At the end of the debate, the audience votes one professor aboard.

“The Life Raft Debate is a unique opportunity for students to see faculty members justify the value of their disciplines in a fun way,” says Christina Giunta, assistant director of the UB Academies. “Each year, this event brings on some good laughs, as well as thought-provoking detail on why each discipline is worthwhile and useful to society.”

Zoom image: Participants in last year's Life Raft Debate. The audience determined that Provost Charles F. Zukoski, second from right, presented the best argument and awarded him a seat in the raft. Photo: Undergraduate Academies Participants in last year's Life Raft Debate. The audience determined that Provost Charles F. Zukoski, second from right, presented the best argument and awarded him a seat in the raft. Photo: Undergraduate Academies

Participants in last year's Life Raft Debate. The audience determined that Provost Charles F. Zukoski, second from right, presented the best argument and awarded him a seat in the raft. Photo: Undergraduate Academies

The competing faculty include:

  • Jason Briner, associate professor of geology.
  • Alice Ceacareanu, assistant professor of pharmacy.
  • Patrick McDevitt, associate professor of history.
  • Andrew Olewnik, director of experiential learning programs, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
  • Stephanie Rothenberg, associate professor of art.
  • Howard Wolf, professor emeritus of English.

Provost Charles Zukoski, professor of chemical and biological engineering and last year’s winner, will serve as devil’s advocate, pointing out the shortcomings of the arguments presented by the other faculty.

In addition to Zukoski, previous winners include Al Price, now professor emeritus in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning; Peter Horvath, associate professor in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and academic director of the Research Exploration Academy; and James Jensen, professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering and a former director of the Research Exploration Academy.