Special Interest Community Highlight: Alison Schuettinger, 20th Street Green Community

Originally from Fredrick, MD, Ali is currently a second year masters student studying psychology. She is interested in applying psychology to environmental sustainability in order to combat global warming using behavior change. Ali’s interest in being a Special Interest Community R.A came from her interest in living a sustainable lifestyle and how that relates to well being.

Q. What is your favorite part about the 20th Street Green Community?
A. The garden, the people that care.

Q. What has been your favorite program with your community?
A. I conducted environmental health and safety inspections right after (the regular health and safety inspections) and people paid attention to the signs I posted on doors and turning off lights and AC and unplugging electronic devices when not in use. One resident in 2F had all lamps, devices unplugged with cords out on floor and nothing left on. I will conduct these monthly.

Q. What’s one goal you have for your community?
A. For residents to use less energy. For students to become aware of environmental concerns and become aware of environmental concerns and easy behaviors they can acquire in their lifestyle that produce zero to less carbon emissions (compost, recycle properly, take the stairs)

Q. What is the most memorable thing that has happened in your community?
A. The first week this resident who I had just met volunteered to stand by compost bins and educate students that all NS products are biodegradable and organic waste can be thrown away in compost not landfill.

Q. What is your dream, no-budget, no restriction program?
A. To measure the ecological footprint of the (20th Street) Green floor. We applied for green fund, let’s hope we get it.

Are you registered?

With Election Day approaching on November 2, 2010, The New School is participating in a non-partisan effort to engage students, faculty and staff in voter registration, education, and participation. In order to vote you must be a U.S. citizen and 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you apply and meet the specific residency requirements before an election. If you are not yet registered to vote, please consider the information below to learn how you can get involved in the electoral process this year.

· In order to vote in New York State, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you apply, and live at your present address at least 30 days before an election.

· You must complete a voter registration application that can be hand-delivered or mailed to the Board of Elections.

· Hand-delivered voter registration forms must be received by the Board of Elections no later than October 13, 2010.

· Mailed voter registration forms must be postmarked by October 8, 2010 and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 13, 2010.

Midterm elections often do not have the same excitement as Presidential elections but the implications and importance are just as great. The 2010 elections will shape the next two years of the Obama presidency and will also set the tone for the next two years in Washington! As you know, every vote counts so please do your part and register in your hall now!

Beginning the week of September 20, voter registration efforts will be underway in the residence halls for all resident students. If you are registered to vote back home and wish to do so by absentee ballot, that is great! If you wish to vote here in New York, voter registration forms will be available in all residence hall offices. Stop by your hall office starting on Monday 9/20 to pick-up your voter registration form! If you have any questions, just ask a residence life staff member.