The new Strong Hall Sustainability House

Beginning Fall 2012, students from EcoRollins and the Sustainability Program will be housed in the newly rebuilt Strong Hall!   The students will occupy one wing of two wings slated to be completed mid-August.  The work that began 2 years ago in the Mowbray Sustainability House will continue at Strong Hall in the near future, along with the House Constitution for the residents.

Mowbray Sustainability House

In spring 2010, a group of students from EcoRollins and the Sustainability Program applied for and were granted their own residence! 

~ The Mowbray Sustainability House houses 7 students that are all passionate and compassionate environmentalists.

~ The house was transformed over summer 2010 to follow the mission statement of the program:
~~~~~ organic vegetable gardens after removal of cemented parking pad
~~~~~ native plant walk after removing cemented driveway
~~~~~ above ground garden boxes for herb and medicinal plants
~~~~~ mulched with melaleuca and pine needles
~~~~~ CFL lightbulbs throughout the house
~~~~~ no-VOC interior paint
~~~~~ solar lighted walk path
~~~~~ rainbarrels

Strong-Mowbray Sustainability House Constitution

Personal Responsibility
Each student living within the house would be responsible for their individual actions towards sustainability. One of the goals of the Sustainable House is to provide a network of responsible individuals who can support one another and collaborate in efforts. While each member will be responsible for personal actions, the house on a whole will be monitored in energy use, as well as held up to an outlined set on standards, so individual action will be urged to be considered in context of the group. The house is aimed to be a healthy living environment for all its members. Part of the vision for the sustainable house is to have house members actively participate in creating a sustainable, healthy, environment- whether it be monitoring water, energy, and waste, or putting together local meals for the group and participating in outdoor outings. Each member of the house is an individual, but emphasis will be placed upon community dynamic. A huge part of sustainability is the ability for individuals and groups to work together, individual efforts are important and will be recognized, but group effort and a sense of community are believed to have the greatest impact within our organization.
 
Social Responsibility
One of the major concerns of the Sustainability Program is action and education within the Rollins and Local community. Aside from efforts within the house, each house member will be required to sign a housing contract committing them to initiate (or co-sponsor) one event on campus per semester with the aim of furthering sustainability. These events are open for member interpretation so limitations are not placed on the innovation and creativity of house members. Potential events could include anything from hosting a documentary showing for awareness, setting up a campus volunteer opportunity, working with dining services to offer more of a local food selection, helping to “green” up traditional Rollins events (e.g. Fox Day).