This past week graduate students in RIT’s Visual Communications class conducted interviews with undergraduate residents in the global village dorms at RIT. The purpose of these interviews was to gain feedback regarding the “Unplug” stickers that were handed out as part of their ongoing sustainability project.

The overall goal of the project is to influence students to conserve energy at RIT. It was decided upon by the class that the best way to grab the undergrads attention was with the message “Unplug,” featured on large blue stickers for laptops and small green stickers for other electronic chargers. These stickers are meant to be a reminder to students of the importance of unplugging their electronics when they are not using them. After weeks of preparation the final product was distributed to residents in global village.

After interviewing undergraduate residents, the responses about the stickers were very positive. Many students indicated that they liked the colors and sizes of the stickers, commenting on their attractiveness and message. Most of the students interviewed had seen the stickers prior to being interviewed, while other students were not familiar with them. Students who had seen the stickers said they had been given to them by their RA’s, seen them in friend’s dorm rooms, and on laptops. The mini stickers seemed to be a big hit, as many students said they would definitely use them, however, students also mentioned that they had not seen or received the small stickers.

When asked if they were likely to use the stickers, one student said yes, “Either my laptop case thing that goes on my laptop or my binder, planner thing, that I put stickers on, or my bed board. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

Students were honest about the likelihood the stickers will change their behavior, but they do seem to understand the purpose, saying things like, “I think its a good idea, especially since people might not know that it uses that much electricity when they are not being used,” and, “If its right there I’d do it more than not knowing about it,”

Whether the stickers will make a difference in lowering energy consumption in the Global Village dormitories is yet to be seen, but hearing all of the enthusiastic feedback from students is a good foreshadowing of positive results. The class has also designed glow in the dark light switch covers that will soon be given out to Global Village residents. One student in particular is very eager to receive this sticker stating, “I really want the ones that says, don’t leave me hanging.”

Students in the Visual Communication class have been working on this project since the beginning of September with hopes of raising awareness about sustainability at RIT.