Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Treptow – Week 2 – Environmental Collaborative Office


I can’t believe how well things are falling into place for my practicum!  My focus has shifted a little but it completely integrates architecture into what I’m doing!  It’s sometimes frustrating for me to find practical opportunities because what I want to do doesn’t quite fit into a “normal” path, and so I get very excited when I can get some hands on opportunities!!

I am going to be trying to implement a green roof on campus, and hopefully on top of one of the residence halls!!  How cool is that?  The other graduate assistant I am working with, Rob, has been doing research the last 2 years on green roofs, and so when I brought up the idea (not knowing that was Rob’s thesis), he lit up!  With his knowledge and my connections to Housing, I am really hoping that this is something we can implement this year.  The key spots Jeremiah suggested is Herbert and Hull Hall because their flat roof space is visible to the public.  Rob and I are sitting down tomorrow so that he can teach me a little more about green roofs before we schedule a meeting with the administration.  I’m really excited to learn more about green roofs and see where this goes!

My other focus is still working with Students for a Sustainable Campus student organization, along with Housings Community Service and Sustainability group, to develop and implement a recycle strategy and other conservation efforts in the residence halls.  One of the big things I will be working on is Energy Wars, which is a competition between residence halls, to help students lower their energy consumption.  Liz, the SSC president is very energetic and just great to work with.  Interactions with students like her, who are passionate about something an work hard to see it implemented on campus, are what motivates me to continue working with college students.  Their energy and drive is just amazing!

Here is a link to the SSC website.  They’re still updating it but it has some great links!  http://ssc.org.msstate.edu/

2 comments:

  1. Amelia,
    Reading your post made me feel like I was in a room listening to you. I can feel your excitement and I can’t wait to see the green roof idea fall into place. I know working with community services and sustainability is something your strongly passionate about. My question to you is how are you getting other students involved in energy wars that, one have, never heard of it and two who don’t care about conserving energy? What steps are you all taking to spread the word of the importance of conserving energy? I can’t wait to see the advertisement and the creative ideas your team is implementing to get students involved.
    See you Thursday
    Gretchen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gretchen,
    That's a great question and something that I'm hoping to get the Community Service and Sustainability group to help out with. It is always hard to motivate people to do something that they aren't passionate about. However, I have learned that if you can get a few members of the community to buy in to it and promote it, it's easier to get students to listen to peers than it is to tell them what to do.

    I am working on a few ideas right now but I am always willing to take suggestions if you have any!

    As far as the advertisements... You'll have to wait and see! Most will have a few tips but we're really working to make them eye-catching!
    Amelia

    ReplyDelete