2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: News
A windmill on Locust Walk? It could happen
Jon Meza
Penn students are usually pretty vocal about letting the administration know exactly what they want.
Cheaper printing! A longer add/drop period! Better high rise elevators!
But a proposal to install an energy-producing wind turbine in the "wind tunnel" on Locust Walk?
Now, that's a different story.
Recently, Penn has joined many schools nationwide in giving students the unique chance to propose tangible policies for the University's ongoing quest toward a sustainable campus.
Last semester, around 20 students in Environmental Studies professor Robert Giegengack's class "Toward Sustainability on Penn's Campus" explored and provided solutions to sustainability problems specifically related to Penn.
The class prepared an executive summary of their final proposals and presented it to Facilities Vice President Anne Papageorge and Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli.
The projects run the gamut from improving energy efficiency in science labs to limiting storm-water runoff on the soon-to-be-developed postal lands.
"The students brought a lot more enthusiasm" than professionals hired by the University, Giegengack said, adding that the administration responded positively to students' ideas.
"All of the students engaged with the problems thoughtfully and seriously," Papageorge wrote in an e-mail. And while none of the projects has been implemented yet, "each idea will be evaluated in more detail," she wrote.
College senior Michael Poll, who was present at the meeting with adminstrators, said the officials seemed engaged and asked thoughtful questions about the student projects.
Recycling Reform
College sophomore Yuki Hashimoto, whose proposal focused on an overhaul of Penn's recycling system, said the class taught her how to research information by interviewing specialists instead of looking in the library.
"There was no book about recycling that I could refer to," Hashimoto said.
Cheaper printing! A longer add/drop period! Better high rise elevators!
But a proposal to install an energy-producing wind turbine in the "wind tunnel" on Locust Walk?
Now, that's a different story.
Recently, Penn has joined many schools nationwide in giving students the unique chance to propose tangible policies for the University's ongoing quest toward a sustainable campus.
Last semester, around 20 students in Environmental Studies professor Robert Giegengack's class "Toward Sustainability on Penn's Campus" explored and provided solutions to sustainability problems specifically related to Penn.
The class prepared an executive summary of their final proposals and presented it to Facilities Vice President Anne Papageorge and Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli.
The projects run the gamut from improving energy efficiency in science labs to limiting storm-water runoff on the soon-to-be-developed postal lands.
"The students brought a lot more enthusiasm" than professionals hired by the University, Giegengack said, adding that the administration responded positively to students' ideas.
"All of the students engaged with the problems thoughtfully and seriously," Papageorge wrote in an e-mail. And while none of the projects has been implemented yet, "each idea will be evaluated in more detail," she wrote.
College senior Michael Poll, who was present at the meeting with adminstrators, said the officials seemed engaged and asked thoughtful questions about the student projects.
Recycling Reform
College sophomore Yuki Hashimoto, whose proposal focused on an overhaul of Penn's recycling system, said the class taught her how to research information by interviewing specialists instead of looking in the library.
"There was no book about recycling that I could refer to," Hashimoto said.
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Alum
posted 2/12/08 @ 9:23 AM EST
A wind mill couldn't be much worse aesthetically than the dueling tampons and at least it would be useful.
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