ECOVILLAGE AT ITHACA AS A MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING by DlANA MICHELLE ...

239 Pages·2008·2.83 MB·English

BUILDING RESISTANCE FROM HOME: ECOVILLAGE AT ITHACA AS A
MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING
by
DlANA MICHELLE FISCHETTI
A THESIS
Presented to the Department of Geography
and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Master of Arts
September 2008
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"Building Resistance from Home: EcoVillage at Ithaca as a Model of Sustainable
Living," a thesis prepared by Diana Michelle Fischetti in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Master of Arts degree in the Department of Geography. This thesis
has been approved and accepted by:
Shaul Cohen, Chair of the Examining Com)lrlttee
.,.".,.,,'/
Committee in Charge: Shaul Cohen, Chair
Peter Walker
Accepted by:
Dean of the Graduate School
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© 2008 Diana Michelle Fischetti
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An Abstract of the Thesis of
Diana Michelle Fischetti for the degree of Master of Arts
in the Department of Geography to be taken September 2008
Title: BUILDING RESISTANCE FROM HOME: ECOVILLAGE AT ITHACA AS A
MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Approved:
~ ICohen
Because of the personal, social, economic, and environmental impacts of material
consumption, resistance is afoot. The creation of new places is a tool used by those
resisting the negative aspects of consumer culture. One example is the ecovillage: an
intentional community whose members strive to live in a socially and environmentally
sustainable manner, to practice voluntary simplicity, and to cultivate meaning, life
satisfaction, and fulfillment. This research involves a case study of EcoVillage at Ithaca,
located in New York, the goal of which is to create a model of sustainable living that is
appealing to mainstream America, reduce the ecological footprint of inhabitants and
increase meaningful relationships within the community. Through its educational mission
and accompanying outreach, EcoVillage at Ithaca models an alternative to middle-class,
mainstream American culture. EcoVillage at Ithaca's impact beyond the lives ofthe
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individual residents demonstrates its effectiveness as a space of resistance to consumer
society.
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CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME OF AUTHOR: Diana Michelle Fischetti
PLACE OF BIRTH: Boston, Massachusetts
DATE OF BIRTH: April 19, 1976
GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
University of Oregon, Eugene
University of Colorado, Boulder
Boston University
DEGREES AWARDED:
Master of Arts, [Geography, September 2008], University of Oregon
Master of Arts, [Environmental Studies, September 2008], University of Oregon
Bachelor of Arts, [Environmental Studies, December 2000],
University of Colorado
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST:
Nonprofit Management Certificate, [Department of Planning, Public Policy and
Management, September 2008], University of Oregon
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Outreach Program Manager, Science Applications International Corporation
(SAIC), 1 month (current employment)
LEED™ Education Program Project Coordinator and Graduate Teaching Fellow,
Office of Academic Affairs, University of Oregon, 1 academic year
Vll
Graduate Teaching Fellow, Department of Geography and
Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, 2 academic years
Editorial Assistant, Journal ofSedimentary Research, Society for Sedimentary
Geology, 1 year
National Science Foundation Research Fellow, Department of Geography,
University of Colorado, 1 academic year
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Geography, University of
Colorado, 1 academic year
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Fellow, Department of
Geography, University of Colorado, 1 academic year
GRANTS, AWARDS AND HONORS:
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Office of Academic Affairs, University of
Oregon, 2007
Summer Research Award, "Building Resistance from Home: EcoVillage at Ithaca
as a Model of Sustainable Living", Department of Geography, University
of Oregon, 2007
Coeta and Donald Barker Fellowship Summer Research Award, "Building
Resistance from Home: EcoVillage at Ithaca as a Model of Sustainable
Living", Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, 2006 and
2007
Coeta and Donald Barker Research Fellowship, "Building Resistance from Home:
EcoVillage at Ithaca as a Model of Sustainable Living", Environmental
Studies Program, University of Oregon, 2006
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Department of Geography, University of
Oregon, 2005
Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Environmental Studies Program, University of
Oregon, 2005
Gamma Theta Upsilon, International Geographic Honor Society, 2005
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National Science Foundation Research Fellowship, Department of Geography,
University of Colorado, 200 I
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Fellowship, Department of
Geography, University of Colorado, 2000
Dean's Scholarship Award, University of Colorado, 7 awards during 1997 - 2000
Phi Beta Kappa, Honor Society, 1999
Golden Key Honor Society, 1998
PUBLICATIONS:
Mayo, Joseph and Diana Fischetti. 2008. "The White Stag Goes Green:
Renovation ofUO's new home in Portland earns LEED gold." Bulletin:
School ofArchitecture and Allied Arts: 2.
Fischetti, Diana. 2008. "The White Stag Block: University of Oregon's New
Green Home in Portland." The Ecotone: The Journal ofEnvironmental
Studies: 35-36.
Cheng, Nancy, Jessica Engeman, Cody Evers, Diana Fischetti, Ashley Garrett,
Bethany Johnson, Casey Kleinhenz, Ray Neff, Dawn O'Connor, Jolyn
Overton, Jason Owens, Zach Rose, John Wallace, and Michael Wilson.
2008. "Case Study of The White Stag Block."
Barry, Coeylen, Rebecca Briggs, Bari Doeffinger, Diana Fischetti, Meghan
Murphy, Peterson, Matt, and Rebecca Silver. 2007. University ofOregon
Campus Sustainability Assessment.
Fischetti, Diana. 2007a. "Book Review of The Coldest Crucible: Arctic
Exploration and American Culture." Western Association ofMap
Libraries Information Bulletin 38:83.
-. 2007b. "Real Simplicity or Simply Solicitation? An Analysis ofReal Simple
Magazine." The Ecotone: The Journal ofEnvironmental Studies: 14-19.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to express sincere appreciation to the Department of Geography and
the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Oregon for providing rigorous
programs of study and a supportive environment in which to pursue them. I would also like
to appreciate the Department of Geography, the Environmental Studies Program, and the
Coeta and Donald Barker Fellowship for providing me with funding, in the form of both
Graduate Teaching Fellowships and research awards. My advisors, Associate Professors
Shaul Cohen, Peter Walker, and Nancy Cheng, are also deserving of hearty thanks for their
guidance, encouragement, and for challenging me. The residents of EcoVillage at Ithaca,
and especially those who allowed me to interview them, deserve deep gratitude. These
residents include: Elan, Kelly, Will, Steve, Liz, Laura, Phebe, Lucy, and Harry. Last but
not least, I wish to express my deep gratitude for the indispensable love and support of my
friends and family, including Andy Polanchek, Linda Fischetti, Michael Fischetti, Marilyn
Winkleby, Megan Lawrence, Lee Pera, Amy Tolliver, and Geisel.
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This thesis is dedicated to the idealists, who may be accused of being na"ive; to the
change-makers, who may be told their pursuits are futile; to the unaware, who may need to
be told of another way; and to the pessimists, who may need to be shown rather than told.