Lafayette's Technology Clinic program brings together small teams of students to solve real-world problems for a sponsor, often a local corporation. The teams spend two semesters working with faculty facilitators developing solutions. Since the program's founding in 1986, teams have worked with clients, large and small, and have developed a wide variety of innovations. Teams are made up of students from the college's four divisions and advised a pair of faculty members, one with a technical background and one from the social sciences or humanities. Enrollment in Tech Clinic, usually offered in several sections each year, is very competitive.

 

In January 2007, the Tech Clinic started a project looking at ways to make Lafayette more sustainable, with a strong focus on buildings and energy. The project will continue through the fall semester 2007. Lafayette student Matt Vanderwall is part of the Tech Clinic project and serves as liaison to the campus sustainability initiative.

 

 

Technology Clinic Team Envisions 'Green' Campus

Excerpt from Lafayette's article:

 

Earlier this month, the students presented an environmentally sustainable plan for Lafayette to President Dan Weiss, which included many ways to make the campus more environmentally conscious.

 

The plan includes actions such as a carpool system; converting unused parts of Metzgar Fields to meadows; creating an administrative position to regulate the “greenness” of campus; updating the College’s steam plant; using the College’s location to create renewable energy through wind and water turbines; regulating the lighting in campus buildings; decreasing campus water flow; instituting a more efficient recycling plan; adopting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines for future building installation; reducing the amount of bottled water consumed on campus; implementing optimal indoor environmental quality strategies; and creating a “green” education program for students, staff, faculty, and administration.

 

While the students set out to improve environmental practices at the College, the course improved upon their knowledge and education.

 

“The learning in Tech Clinic is two-fold,” says Forster. “First of all, I acquired valuable project management skills. Through the application of these methods to our topic of environmental sustainability, I learned about the significant contributions most academic disciplines can make, and how the overall creative process can excel the productive outcome.”

 

Vanderwall believes he has expanded his environmental knowledge through the class and is excited to work with Tech Clinic next year.

 

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