This semester, the Center for Sustainability that is located in Chamberlain Center overwent massive renovations. The room, which can be found on the third floor of the building, has more space than it had before, additional and more comfortable seating, a brand-new counter area, and will “have tea available for students anytime,” according to Brian Webb, Houghton College’s Sustainability Director. Additionally, you can sign out movies or books about sustainability from the Center.
One of the problems with the old center, according to EcoReps intern Mary Chichester (‘22), was that “there was nowhere to sit.” With a more spacious room and couches that come “from SGA” (Student Government Association), Mary says that the EcoReps “want people to come in, sit down, and chat.” Furthering this sentiment, Webb comments that “we want to create a place where students feel welcome.” He adds that “you can come in and we’ll chat about sustainability, or you can just come in and say ‘hi’, have some tea, or study.” Owen Hardiman (‘22), a student who attended the Center for Sustainability’s open house last Friday, says that the new space “feels open and really nice. There’s lots of sunlight.”
When talking about the importance of the renovations, Webb says that “visibility is the key piece…having a space where students are constantly walking by is an important visual cue that makes it obvious that this is something that the institution values.”
Funding for the project came primarily from the Center’s “normal operating budget,” per Webb.
The Center for Sustainability is open until “3:30 on most days,” according to Webb, and “students are welcome to come in anytime.”