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o2-USA
FEBRUARY 7 , 2003--Finding Obies at the helm of a nonprofit organization specializing in sustainability is nothing new, but in the case of o2-Chicago, the collaboration between alumni and current students is worth noting.
This past month, four students spent their winter term interning for Peter Nicholson '91 and Rick Sanford '02, co-founders of the group. A newly incorporated nonprofit organization, it is a think tank for designers interested in environmental and sustainability issues.
"o2-Chicago is an independent chapter of o2-USA, an organization that advocates change within design disciplines," Nicholson says. "The group includes students, design practitioners, and people from related professions. Our members are dedicated to raising public and professional awareness of environmental issues, developing and advocating more responsible design-related policies, and putting theory into practice through creative collaborations and specific projects at the local and international levels."
As part of their internships, Rebecca Brooke '04, Luke Eddins '06, Naomi Lipke '06, and Anne Rainwater '07 researched and wrote a business plan for an intern-run consulting service.
"One of our pilot projects is an eco-office assessment, a service designed to help small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, and foundations lessen the environmental impact of their office activities," says Sanford. "This past month, our four interns have done a comprehensive investigation of the potential service, and have expressed a willingness to help recruit future interns and set long-term goals and strategies for the project."
Brooke, who is majoring in biology and environmental studies, became familiar with the concept of eco-design during classes at Oberlin.
"Eco-design is a relatively new field with some very exciting implications," she says. "Design touches every aspect of our lives, from toothbrushes to urban planning, and affects how we perceive and interact with the world. If we can get designers to think about where the materials they are using come from, and where they will go after they are used, then there is the potential to improve our waste system."
Brooke and her fellow Obies researched issues including the effects of natural light on worker productivity and the availability of low-energy office equipment. They also took a number of field trips to businesses in the Chicago area that promote themselves as "green" businesses.
"Once we gathered all of the information we needed, we began drawing up a business plan for the consulting service," says Brooke. "We'll be able to use the finished plan to apply for grants to fund the program. I think the most amazing part of this whole experience was realizing that our work is leading up to something real."
The interns' research has proven invaluable to the organization.
"What is unique about this undertaking is how self-directed and resourceful--even entrepreneurial--the interns have been," says Nicholson. "They've really taken the initial idea and run with it."
Please send comments, questions, and suggestions about Oberlin Online news and feature articles to online.news@oberlin.edu.
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