Sustainability in On-Campus Housing

1. Sustainability in On-Campus Housing Robin Fenske and Mark Retzlaff Spring 2005

2. Introduction • This quarter we completed an Independent Learning Contract with Nancy Parkes. • This has been a capstone undergraduate project • We are motivated to increase sustainability by providing the means to organize diverse motivations of Evergreen residents

3. Brief History of Project • We started planning our project in Energy Systems, Fall 2004 • We continued our work in a contract Energy Awareness in On-Campus Housing Winter 2005 • We finish our project in a contract Sustainability in On-Campus Housing Spring 2005

4. Presentation Outline • Theories and Strategies • Methodology • Benefits and Conclusions

5. Theories and Strategies A qualitative analysis of needs and viable implementation of solutions

6. Understanding People • In Evergreen On-Campus Housing, coordinating diverse needs was required to develop lasting solutions. • Analytical reasoning was needed, but of motivations and needs, not of energy use patterns.

7. Creating Lasting Solutions Our strategy requires an organizational structure that • Identifies residents’ diverse motivations and needs, collectively and individually • Provides organizational and communication tools for residents to pursue their needs

8. Methodology Developing a structured communication and resource access network

9. Building Communinty • Housing will match roommates based on areas of interest from a survey sent to residents • Sustainability House Resident will facilitate further development of a cohesive community by acting as Resident Coordinator (RC)

10. Resident to Resident Communication • The Resident Coordinator facilitatesresidents in • Identifying shared and individual visions • Creating self-organizing communication structure

11. Resident to Community Communication The Resident Coordinator will set up dialogues with: • Housing staff to co-develop residents’ projects • Evergreen community members to get information and support

12. Information for Residents • Information from community members provides residents with pertinent information about sustainable living • Supplemental informational resources via the official Sustainability House website include • Communal cooking guides • Opportunities to networking with campus groups • Information about sustainable consumerism

13. Meeting Needs • Resident • Strengthening community atmosphere • Improving access to sustainability concepts and practices • Increasing financial feasibility through resource sharing • Housing administrators • Retaining ease of maintenance and financial viability • Continuing to develop themed housing initiative

14. Conclusion Our project has met with support among residents, administrators, and the Evergreen community at large because it has been informed by their motivations and needs.

15. Acknowledgements • We would like to thank the following contributors to our project: • Nancy Parkes, Contract Sponsor • Chuck McKinney, Director of Resident Life • Noel McHugh, Technology Manager of Housing • Susan Bustetter, Evergreen Webmaster • EJ Zita, Winter Contract Sponsor • Scott Sheldon, Independent Consultant • Josh Skov, Sustainability Consultant • Housing Staff

16. Additional information • Sustainability House website with resources and a link to the project website http://www.evergreen.edu/housing/sustain.htm • Contact Project Directors • Robin@Towanda.com • MarkRetzlaff@Comcast.net