Founded in 1967, the Center for Environmental Studies (CES) at Williams College is dedicated to the study of the intricate relationship between humans and their environments, with an eye towards learning how to move towards the future in a savvy yet responsible fashion.

The Environmental Studies program is administered by the Center for Environmental Studies in Harper House at 54 Stetson Court. Harper contains the CES administrative offices as well as several faculty offices, a seminar room for small classes, a living room and fully equipped kitchen for student use, an office for student environmental organizations, as well as the environmental studies library and computer lab. The building, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is a popular space for students to study and socialize.

 

CES has relocated from Kellogg House to Harper House on 54 Stetson Court. In addition to the academic program, CES is the focus of a varied set of activities in which students lead and participate, often with other members of the community.

CES also administers the Hopkins Memorial Forest, 1 ½ miles northwest of campus. The Forest is a 2500-acre natural area used by the Williams community for recreation (hiking, cross-country skiing, walks), research, and teaching. Environmental studies courses, as well as students and faculty conducting research, often make use of the resources at the Hopkins Forest. Scientific studies at the Forest are supported by a field laboratory at the Rosenburg Field Station in the Forest, and an Environmental Analysis Laboratory in Morley Science Center.

The Environmental Analysis Lab in Morley Science Lab room 236 is the setting for chemical analyses of biweekly collected precipitation and monthly Birch Brook stream samples using techniques such as Atomic Absorption/Emission Spectroscopy, Ion Chromatography, and colorimetric determinations. The lab technician also maintains the ever-increasing database of chemical results and weather station archives, dating back to 1983. Using a variety of scientific instruments, the folks at The Lab provide Williams students with accurate measurements of temperature, precipitation and many other calculations. Independent and Summer Research students associated with the lab are trained on all these techniques, and during the academic session the lab technician works closely with the instructors and students in Envi 102.