It is no secret that Williams students have increasingly recognized the need for practical applications of their learning in recent years, particularly in the realm of activism. This interest is evidenced by the development of the Williams Activist Coalition in 2010 and multiple on-campus discussions about activism in academia. The introduction of a sustainable “Eco-House” on our Williams College campus would allow students interested in sustainability and environmental issues to apply their learning and interests first-hand. This house would act as a collaborative learning community, bridging the gap between the traditional classroom setting and residential life. The house would serve as a format for how all Williams dorms should operate, and would allow all students to explore and learn how to conserve energy and live in a more eco-friendly environment. Ideally, all dorms would eventually participate in most of these practices. Goals of the Eco-House: - To prepare students for sustainable living after college - To foster and develop a community of environmentally conscious students and citizens - To demonstrate key energy-saving features in homes and provide a model of sustainable design - To connect Williams students with the broader community through knowledge-sharing and community service Residents of the house would take a pledge to live sustainably during their time in the Eco-House. Students would agree to reduce shower times to 5 minutes or less, turn off all lights and unplug electrical outlets when not in use, compost and recycle in house, eat local and organic foods whenever possible and partake in a house dinner once a week. I would also like to see the house keep up a blog of their activities and living experiences to share with the greater Williams community. In addition to sustainable living, community service will be at the heart of the Eco-House. Although the selected seniors may get the perk of priority housing, they must agree to participate in the development of a community engagement project based on sustainable principles each semester. The house residents will work together to come up with a project and see it through, under the leadership of an elected house chair. Projects at other schools have included the introduction of a bike share program, gardening workshops, and community home insulation projects. Additionally, I would like to see the house accumulate green technology features. These features can be added over time, and would retrofit the house to provide an example of what a green building might look like – at Williams or otherwise. Some of these features could include solar hot water heaters, LED energy-efficient light-bulbs, low flow toilet and shower fixtures, increased insulation, permanent drying racks, possible solar panels, and a feedback system to display to the residents how much energy they are using compared to daily averages (see Appendix 1 for more information on these features). If possible, the house would also have a permanent bike rack with 3 house bikes for the residents to communally use. Various other projects could be explored further for their feasibility. The house could also act as a trial location for green features in other dorms/buildings on campus. Finally, the residents could host workshops or tours of the house and would be expected to be somewhat versed in its features, so that students and community members could learn from them. The house would foster a living and learning community, where students could practically apply their knowledge of environmental and energy issues, and also teach the greater community about ways to ‘go green.’ Where: The ‘Eco-House’ could be implemented in a number of potential locations. Options include a current dorm, senior co-op, currently owned college building (non-residential) and an entirely new dorm built from scratch. I hope that through increased discussions around the issue we can begin to focus our efforts on a specific type of house that is the best fit for Williams. Who: Ideally, all upper-class (non first-year students) will be eligible to apply for the ‘Eco-House.’ Interested students must apply to live in the house mid-way through the academic year around the same time as the quiet housing applications. The applications will be looked over by a committee put together by the Zilkha Center and Residential Life, and students will be accepted into the house based on merit and interest. The details of this application and selection process will have to be discussed and decided on by all involved parties.