OHIO Ecohouse

Resident Application and Guidelines

The mission of the OHIO Ecohouse is to demonstrate affordable green technology and

sustainable living in order to inform, engage and inspire both residents and visitors.

The OHIO Ecohouse is not just a place -- it is a dynamic educational experience

which promotes critical thinking and tangible actions toward sustainability.

Tours and Open House events are available for those interested in learning more about this experience prior to

submitting an application. More information about the Ecohouse is available at www.ohio.edu/ecohouse.

Application & Deadline:

Applications for residing in the OHIO Ecohouse will be accepted until 5 p.m. on December 3rd

, 2012 for the

following lease year (August 1-May 31). Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so earlier

submissions are encouraged for full consideration. Applications must be completed online at

www.surveymonkey.com/s/EcohouseApplication.

Interested and eligible students must complete a comprehensive application that lists their interests, goals and

past experiences as it relates to sustainable living as well as agree to sign a 10 month lease (August 1, 2013 –

May 31, 2014). A balance of graduate, undergraduate, male and female students (maximum of three) will share

the living space. The monthly rent for each room is $405. Note: This rate is based on 2012-2013 lease year

rate and is subject to change. Such changes are based on board approval. Candidates selected for Ecohouse

residency will be notified of any lease changes prior to signing a lease.

Application must include:

1.) A completed OHIO Ecohouse Application form (available online at

www.surveymonkey.com/s/EcohouseApplication).

a. The application form requires:

i. Applicant contact information

ii. The names and contact information of three (3) professional references. References can

be University Professors, Directors/Officers of Associated Organizations or past

supervisors/mentors.

iii. A 1,000 word (max) essay stating why the candidate would like to live in the OHIO

Ecohouse and how their skills/abilities would positively contribute to the living

environment. Successful applicants will express a commitment to or interest in the

overall philosophy of sustainable living.

Eligibility:

Students must be eligible to live off campus by having either 90 credit hours, 6 quarters/4 semesters in

residency, or be eligible for a standard exemption.

All applicants must commit to upholding the residential expectation as in any other University owned

apartment. Please refer to University Apartments (www.ohio.edu/housing, University Apartments) for

more information regarding expectations.

Completed application form with reference list and a personal essay.

Agree to all terms and conditions of the lease and student lifestyle guidelines available in this document.

OHIO Ecohouse Student Lifestyle Guidelines

Residents will follow Ohio University Student Code of Conduct.

Residents will minimize consumption, refraining from accumulating unnecessary products.

Residents will work to minimize waste, using durable goods in place of disposables and reusing

materials whenever possible.

Residents will sort the waste that is generated appropriately, emphasizing recycling and composting.

Residents will work to increase self-sufficiency by growing/harvesting their own food. The Ecohouse

garden will serve as a Community Garden space for Ohio University students, faculty and staff.

Ecohouse residents are responsible for engaging in work days with volunteers and offering them

harvested produce as appropriate.

Residents will agree with a house consensus before planting new crops or making landscaping changes.

All proposed landscape changes must be approved by the Director of Sustainability.

Residents will buy local first, especially food, and consider lifecycle costs in all purchases.

Residents will emphasize the use of low impact chemicals for activities such as cleaning, (such as bio-

degradable soaps) and, whenever possible, will avoid the use of unnecessary chemicals altogether.

Residents will maintain an agreed upon, equitable division and distribution of labor.

Residents will keep a written record of all projects and experiments, and their results, for continuous

improvement of the home.

o Project Forms must be completed and submitted for inclusion in the Ecohouse binder.

Residents will maintain an appropriate exterior house presentation. Interior furniture should be inside.

The Director of Sustainability will serve as an authority to residents regarding appropriate appearance.

Residents will not litter and will maintain a litter free property.

Residents will maintain cleanliness and organization of their belongings to accommodate tours.

Residents will use low impact transportation whenever possible, such as a bike or Flinstones car.

Residents will appropriately conserve and recycle resources such as water, electricity, heat, space, and

goods. This means reducing waste both directly and indirectly. The residents will work to generate ideas

and procedures to increase self-sufficiency with respect to resource use.

Upon moving out of the Ecohouse, residents are expected to completely empty the home of personal

belongings and complete a “Move-Out Checklist” with the Director of Sustainability.

Additional Expectations:

Upon Move-In, residents will complete a “Move-In Checklist” and the “My Ecohouse Expectations”

form to ensure each resident is provided with a safe and robust living and learning experience.

Residents will enroll in a one credit “Ecohouse Class” that will meet for one hour per week throughout

the duration of the academic year.

o This class will require that residents establish sustainability-themed projects and devote a

minimum of 20 hours per semester to such projects.

o Meetings will be used to discuss matters relating to the house, projects and residents’ lifestyle.

Residents will work with the Office of Sustainability to offer regular Ecohouse tours.

Residents will serve as hosts to Ecohouse Open House and Work Day events as needed.

Residents will work with the Director of Sustainability to report any health, safety or maintenance

concerns so as to ensure a safe living and learning environment for Ecohouse residents and guests.

Selection Process:

Selection is a competitive process. Applications and essay of eligible students will be reviewed by a selection

committee on a rolling basis with interviews held to select final candidates. Current tenants of Ecohouse will be

invited to interview the final candidates and make recommendations to the committee.

Questions should be directed to: Annie Laurie Cadmus - Director- sustainability@ohio.edu