Month: April 2016

Finishing Up The Spring 2016 Semester

We waded in and made progress this spring. To wrap things up please do the following and get it to me by Thursday May 5:

1. Project Reports

• Allie and Blake: Reusable Food Containers
• Allie: Food Collaboration
• Emily, James and Zanna: May Move Out

For each report (about 3 pages) compile the following:

• work and research completed
• key contacts
• where we stand and next steps (to ensure 100% reusable containers, Fall 2016)
• organize the Geog 499 shared folder for the individual project, make sure the Project Report will help future students take over this project; make sure all materials created (posters, artwork for stickers, etc.) are also in the shared folder
• your assessment of the project and what was completed this semester, and recommendations for the future

2. Course & Personal Assessment: about 3 pages

One page or so: your thoughts on the course, its structure, and the way we worked out the goals (the revised Sustainability Plan and specific projects). Did the wheels come off? Or not? Did we do more than throw a pinecone (see below)? Do you think our effort will affect sustainability efforts on campus? Or are you more pessimistic? Given that I will offer the course again next spring, document 3 things that worked well, and 3 that could use some work and/or ideas for what the course should focus on. Your suggestions for next year are very much appreciated.

One page or so: assessment of your personal efforts in the course. Describe what you did (specifically) and your role in the class (compared to other students in the class). Given your efforts, and in comparison with your pals in the class, let me know what you think you deserve for a letter grade.

Despite the lack of postings to this class blog, we have made significant progress in the Sustainability Practicum this semester.

Students have tackled the May Move Out, adjusting it to deal with no funds to run it this semester (and this has been accomplished) while working on marketing and communicating the May Move Out to students at OWU (including a new mascot, the Moooove Out Cow). The May Move Out is a go, and we are anticipating beating our 2015 haul of 9.5 tons of stuff donated to Goodwill.

We are also tackling the technical issues that have limited the use of the reusable food containers at HWCC. We hope to resolve those problems and be ready to go 100% reusable containers for the fall of 2016.

Best of all, we have a newly concocted OWU Sustainability Plan that is very different from the 40 page monster created in the spring of 2015. The new plan can be viewed in all its glory (with some background) here at OWU Sustainability Plan.