Green Campus Concept --- A Broader View of a Sustainable Campus

Green Campus Concept---

A Broader View of a Sustainable Campus

Frank R. Leslie,DMES

1/16/2005

Abstract• Recycling is an excellent start, but there

are many other areas of “greenness”• Many universities have green or

sustainable programs for us to evaluate or emulate

• Florida Tech can develop a long-term green plan; for example:– Reduce waste– Increase efficiency & effectiveness– Reduce long-term building energy costs– Steer towards affordable renewable energy

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Introduction• Recycling is an important start, but

wider concepts should be researched

• “Sustainable definition varies”– Some are extremely broad– Choose our version of it carefully

• Measurable progress goals are necessary– Quantify values or establish

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Green Campus Project• Guiding principles evaluate:

– “Environmental Education, Energy & Utilities, Student Activism & Participation, Solid Waste Management, Dining Services, Landscaping & Grounds, Printing Services, Purchasing, Transportation & Parking”

• University of Wisconsin – Madison prepared these guidelines

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Existing Programs at Other Universities

• Yale– “Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus” by 450

delegates (46pp.) www.envirocitizen.org/blueprint/blueprint.pdf.

• Harvard www.greencampus.harvard.edu– “Sustainable Campus” video online, Buying wind

energy certificates for half the load from Minnesota, Best Practices, Biodiesel on shuttles and trucks

• Georgia Tech www.sustainable.gatech.edu– Center for Sustainable Technology

• U. of California – Santa Cruz (UCSC) www.uscsec.org– Using “Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus”;

$3/student green fee; Campus Sustainable Council formed; “Campus Food System, Waste Prevention, Transportation, Green Purchasing, Long-Range Planning, Green Building & Renewable Energy, Curriculum & Campus Ecosystem Preservation”

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Existing Programs at Other Universities

• MIT web.mit.edu– Forty solar power installations– Green Building Task Force– Low Flow Bathroom Fixtures

• A Few More University Programs– U. Wisconsin– U. Michigan– Brown U.– U. Penn.– Mount Holyoke– U. Minnesota

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Florida Tech Environment• Wild vs. Manicured landscaping• Natural vs. Hazard maintenance• Fertilizer, etc., into waterways?• Water flow and swale management

– Walkway flooding• Composting food service scraps?• Driveway – vision hazard for

drivers?

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Florida Tech Electricity• Zone control of air conditioning• Improved classroom lighting control

– Separate light switch for front area to improve screen contrast without putting students to sleep

• Extend solar “Grid” interties• Cost of solar post lamps vs. standard

lamp plus conduit cost and installation• Utilities management

– Donnie Morlan, Facilities, tracks usage

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Florida Tech Water• Reduce waste• Replacement fixture program?• Irrigation sources?

– Natural or city irrigation water?• Durable solar water heating

systems– Dorms previously had roof solar

collectors, but system had poor valve life – removed several years ago due to high maintenance

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Student Involvement• Educational examples and labs• Student volunteer task force• Work-study assistance• Grad student research

– Usage analysis– Psychological studies– Cost assessment– Future planning studies

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What’s Needed• How can we achieve this goal?

– Form a small group to research and enhance these concepts

– Select approachable objectives for prioritized tasks

– Compare progress against goals at the end of each semester

– Change programs to pursue the long-term goal

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ReferencesMiller, Jr. G. Tyler. Environmental Science,

Sixth Edition. Belmont CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co., 1997.

Allen, John L. Environment. Dubuque IA: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin 2004.

Websites• Renewable energy and sustainable living

www.solstice.crest.org • Library of Congress lcweb.loc.gov/rr • Int’l Institute for Sustainable

Development, Canada iisd.ca • Alt. energy Institute altenergy.org• Alliance for Global sustainability (AGS)

globalsustainability.org• Institute for Global

Communications/EcoNet www.igc.org• Worldwatch Institute worldwatch.org• Green Campus

www.mpirg.org/greencampus• www.envirocitizen.org/blueprint/blueprint.pdf

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BibliographyHeintze-Fry. Green Lives, Green

Campuses.