Sustainable Learning Community - Application is OPEN!

Applications to live in the Sustainable Learning Community (SLC) are now available!

Are you interested in a unique living experience for next year? A different housing layout, with a small and close community. Would you like to participate in field trips to the recycling plant, Qatar social development center, possible service trips or volunteer opportunities? Do you want to interact with faculty outside the classroom and learn how the courses you take can be applied to a sustainable future?

These are all opportunities you could experience as part of the Sustainable Learning Community. The SLC is a different type of QF housing located in Villas 1-4 just west of FB2. This Fall, there will be one female community (villas 1-2) and one male community (villas 3-4), each capable of housing 16 residents. Programming and events are specifically planned around environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Residents who wish to live in the SLC should submit their application by 11:59pm on February 21st, and if accepted will not have to participate in the housing lottery.

Here is the link to the application:
https://sites.google.com/site/qfsustainablelearning/home


Questions about the SLC can be directed to Residence Hall Directors
 Jessica Young jyoung@qf.org.qa or Caleb Keith ckeith@qf.org.qa

We bleed GREEN... do you?

Sustainable Snacking: This year, all new residents received two items that they will get to use throughout their time in Education City: a reusable corn-based mug (yes, corn, the plant!) and a reusable take away container, called EcoClamshell. These two items are provided to encourage students reduce the amount of waste they produce in their day-to-day activities.

Can you do the math and figure out how many take away containers or throw away plastic bottles we will NOT be sending to the landfill this semester? If 100 Education City students drink 1 bottled water per school day, for 16 weeks (meaning one semester), how many bottles would that be? Send your answer to jyoung@qf.org.qa to win a prize.

Sustainable Learning: This fall semester three courses related to the topic of sustainability are being taught at CMUQ.

(1) "Technology & the Environment" (12-090, taught by KG Karthikeyan, kkarthikeyan@cmu.edu);
(2) "Information Technology & Sustainability" (67-330, taught by Ian Lacey, ilacey@qatar.cmu.edu) and
(3) "Conservation Biology" (03-410, taught by April Conkey, aaconkey@qatar.cmu.edu).

The first two set out to explore major environmental issues and their complex association with technology development. The latter is a course focused on species' habitats, ecosystems and their protection from extinction with a focus on Qatar's natural environment.

Sustainable Living: This semester HRL welcomes its first living-learning community to campus. The Sustainability Learning Community (SLC) will be located in Villas 1&2 near FB2. The community will host 16 female residents and have a special programming focus around sustainability. Members will learn how sustainability relates to their lives, values and how their actions impact issues of sustainability. Example programs include visiting locations around Doha such as the vegetable souq to learn about sustainable farming, and the desalination plant to learn about Qatar’s water usage. Members will also learn how to apply concepts of sustainability in their community by engaging in a community garden project. As a result of participating in the community members of the SLC will earn letters of recommendation and a certificate in sustainability.

An open house to tour the villas for any female resident will take place sometime in the next few weeks. Be on the lookout for more details!

Also, good news! There are still a few open rooms available in the SLC! We will be accepting a second round of applications beginning the 5th of September, after the first two weeks of class. Applicants must be female students who have spent at least one year living in the residence halls previously. Interested applicants may go to http://tiny.cc/ecslc to apply. If you have any questions or would like further details about living in the villas and being a member of the SLC please email hall director Jessica Young at jyoung@qf.orq.qa.


Light Switch Prompt Design Competition Winner

During Spring 2010 our Sustainability Living Ambassadors (SLAs) organized a competition for the best design of a sticker (prompt) to be placed in all the light switches in the residence halls, to remind residents to turn off their lights as living the room. Prompts are extremely efficient at helping reduce our energy consumption. Congratulations to Hanin Bader (VCUQ) for winning the competition!