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Taking the LEED:
Sustainable Buildings at the University of South Florida
Team RemarkaBULLS: Instructor:
Cameron Wallace Dr. Francis Tobienne
Lead Compiler/Researcher University of South Florida
St. Petersburg
Daniel Casas 140 Seventh Ave. South
Interviewer St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Kyle Kelsh www.usfsp.edu
Researcher 11 April 2014
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary .................................................................................. 1
Introduction ............................................................................................... 2
USF Going Green ...................................................................................... 3
LEED: The Fundamentals......................................................................... 5
LEED at USF .............................................................................................. 7
USF Making the Grade .............................................................................. 8
What’s the Catch? .................................................................................. 10
Conclusion .............................................................................................. 12
Annotated Bibliography ......................................................................... 13
Works Cited ............................................................................................. 17
Glossary of Terms .................................................................................. 19
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LEED at USFSP (Photo: Cameron Wallace)
Executive Summary
In a world with exploding
population rates leading to
increased consumption and
pollution, a “green revolution” is
taking place. People are coming
to terms with the expendability of
our planet, and they are deciding
to do something about it. The
University of South Florida is
taking their own stance with the
implementation of multiple
initiatives in order to do their part
to reduce the impact society has
on our environment.
Among these initiatives are
improvements to the parking and
traffic situation on campus, the
promotion of walking and bicycle
use, energy and water
consumption management, and
recycling. Perhaps the most
ambitious yet costly plan is to
continue efforts to gain LEED
certification on campus buildings.
LEED certified buildings are those
which have been constructed or
retrofitted to meet specific
environmentally friendly criteria
deemed essential by the U.S.
Green Building Council.
The benefits of LEED
certification are obvious.
Environmentally friendly
construction, a reduction in
consumption, a green image, and
dollars saved are all results of
pursuing LEED certification (U.S.
Green Building Council.)
However, there are setbacks to
the process, and with contributions
from student tuition and taxpayer
dollars, those with a vested
interest in the University should be
informed to both sides of the story.
After finishing this article, the
reader will walk away with a better
understanding of how USF is
promoting environmental
sustainability. Most importantly,
they will be more informed about
the LEED certification process
which has the potential to be the
most significant program, but also
the one with the most risk.
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Introduction
There is a movement gaining
steam, sweeping across our nation
with the force of a landslide. The
“green revolution” is taking hold,
and some of the pioneers at the
forefront are universities and
institutions of higher learning which
are leading by example and
implementing their own models of
environmental sustainability. Take
a stroll across nearly any university
in America and you will see trash
bins made of recycled material,
solar powered lights, and even
hybrid vehicles used by faculty and
staff. The University of South
Florida is no stranger to these
efforts, and they are taking a strong
stance in order to do their part to
protect the environment.
This paper will focus on one
particular facet of USF’s green
effort: LEED certification. LEED, or
Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, is a program
designed by the U.S. Green
Building Council. The USGBC is a
“nonprofit organization committed
to a prosperous and sustainable
future for our nation through cost-
efficient and energy- saving green
buildings” (U.S. Green Building
Council). With their LEED program,
the USGBC has created a way to
inspire and recognize outstanding
achievements in not only the
construction of new building but in
the retrofitting of existing ones to
meet specific environmental goals.
LEED certification is a
comprehensive process which,
when pursued, results in
environmentally friendly buildings
that will not only be eco-friendly but
can enhance the learning
experience itself. Hannah Debelius
of the U.S. Green Building Council
states that universities achieving
LEED certification often use the
building as a learning tool. LEED
certification, however, is not without
any setbacks. As of now, green
construction is still more expensive
and can be slightly more hazardous
than traditional construction.
Despite this, the benefits far
outweigh the risks, and the
University of South Florida has
made LEED certification a major
part of its green efforts.
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USF Going Green
At the University of South
Florida, a focus has been put on
exercising a plan to promote
environmental stability. This plan
includes measures beyond just
achieving LEED certification on
many of its new, existing, and
future buildings. The Office of
Sustainability is responsible for
coordinating and building
partnerships across the university
in order to create a sustainable
campus environment (University of
South Florida).
These initiatives are on the
heels of a global effort that has, in
recent years, become a common
thread across many cultures. In the
United States, the trend has
gathered strong momentum as
consumers are becoming more and
more conscious of the impact that
they are having on the
environment. Billion dollar
corporations are teaming up with
environmental organizations, motor
vehicle companies are creating
more fuel efficient and alternative
fuel vehicles, and manufacturers
are constantly designing more eco-
friendly packaging. The goal in all
of this effort is to curb the damage
that we have done to the
environment and to set up future
generations with a system that
promotes the health and longevity
of our planet.
Some of the initiatives that
USF in particular is implementing
are outlined by the Patel College of
Global Sustainability (University of
South Florida):
Transportation
At the USF Tampa campus,
the roads are becoming more
bicycle friendly. An increase in on-
campus dining and housing is
enabling people to stay on campus
and commute less. The
University’s bus system is largely
run on biodiesel fuel, and the fleet
vehicles are increasingly becoming
hybrid and fuel efficient. Even the
parking situation at both the USF
Tampa and St. Petersburg
campuses are promoting fuel
A trash and recyclables box on the USFSP
campus made from 937 recycled milk cartons.
(Photo: Cameron Wallace)
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efficient vehicles. New parking
garages are reducing heat islands,
and people driving hybrid vehicles
get VIP spots in St. Petersburg.
Water
The University has put in
place efforts for storm water
management. Additionally, many
buildings across all campuses have
been retrofitted with motion sensing
faucet and toilet flush valves.
Lastly, sensors have been put in
place to monitor the weather and
adjust water usage patterns
accordingly.
Energy
Energy conservation and
recovery have become a focal point
at USF. Fluorescent lamps and
LED traffic lights are replacing
outdated and inefficient bulbs. The
Greenlights Program has replaced
inefficient light fixtures, and high
efficiency chillers have been
installed. Additionally, ductwork in
buildings has been improved to
exceed the standards of Florida
Building Code. By simply using
less energy and being smarter with
the energy they use, USF has
reduced its carbon footprint.
Recycling
The University’s Physical
Plant currently purchases cleaning
products that carry the Green Seal
Certified designation. Also on the
Physical Plant purchasing list are
toilet paper and paper towels made
largely from recycled materials.
Recycling bins have been placed
across all campuses, and in 2009
alone the University recycled over
500 tons of paper (University of
South Florida). Lastly, many of the
colleges and departments have
implemented their own systems to
recycle electronic equipment.
Student Involvement
In 2010, the USF Student
Government created the position of
Chief Sustainability Officer. There
is also a Student Environmental
Association, and engineering
students have formed an
association to improve
environmental and economic
stability.
LEED
Perhaps the program which
noteworthy of USF’s green
initiatives is the building design
program known as LEED.
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The Wounded Warrior Project Batallion
Headquarters, Camp Pendleton, CA. LEED
certified Platinum (Photo: USGBC).
LEED: The Fundamentals
In 1993, the U.S. Green
Building Council was founded by
two men named David Gottfried
and Mike Italiano. Their mission
was to “promote sustainability in the
building and construction industry”
(U.S. Green Building Council). This
creed came at a time when people
in general had not yet become as
environmentally conscious as they
are today.
It was not until the year 2000,
or seven years after the USGBC
was founded, that the organization
rolled out its Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design, or
LEED, program. With more than
just a clever acronym for a name,
LEED certification has evolved into
a premier and nationally recognized
benchmark in the constant effort for
environmental sustainability.
LEED works on one basic
principle. As a building is either
constructed or renovated, there are
specific prerequisites which must
be satisfied to gain credits. The
number of credits earned will
determine the level of certification
that a building attains. The levels
of certification in ascending order
are certified, silver, gold, and
platinum.
Several of the categories of
credits, deemed by the USGBC as
critical are as follows (U.S. Green
Building Council):
Location and Transportation
These are given for sites in
more densely populated areas with
various transportation options.
Materials and Resources
Credits are awarded in this
category for the use of sustainable
materials and for the reduction of
waste.
Water Efficiency
The goal of this credit is to
promote water conservation by
reducing use through efficient
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(Image: USGBC)
fixtures and creative water saving
measures.
Energy and Atmosphere
Innovative building strategies
take focus here in order to enhance
better energy performance.
Sustainable Sites
Credits are given in this
category for building sites that
minimize the surrounding
environmental resources.
With such a comprehensive
approach in regards to the variety
of credits available in order to gain
LEED certification, it is hard to
argue the effectiveness of this
program. Whether a building
attains a simple bottom level
certification or they reach the
ultimate goal of platinum, the fact
remains that it will have a
measurably smaller impact on the
environment than a traditionally
constructed one. This sentiment is
shared by organizations across the
globe.
In fact, the USGBC is not only
promoting environmentally
sustainability in America, but
throughout the world as well. In a
graphic published in 2013, the
USGBC details the growth of
environmentally sustainable
building designs from every corner
of the world. America leads the
pack, which is not surprising due to
the resources available. China, the
UAE, Turkey, and Brazil are also
included on this list.
One sector is leading the
charge with LEED projects, and
that is education. Always known for
trend setting in innovation,
institutions of higher learning have
adopted LEED as a way to do their
part in environmental sustainability.
The University of South Florida is
one such institution that has taken
LEED certification seriously and is
undertaking projects to reach that
goal.
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The Science and Technology Building at USFSP:
LEED Certified Gold (Photo: Cameron Wallace)
LEED at USF
As noted earlier, the
University of South Florida is taking
a strong stance on environmental
sustainability through the
implementation of multiple
initiatives. Among these is the
pursuit of LEED certification across
all of its campuses. To date, the
University has multiple buildings
certified by the USGBC as LEED
compliant. So far, the LEED
program has received a positive
reception. Allyssa Vinson, and
Education Partnership Coordinator
at USF, says “Overall it’s a very
interesting project and the USGBC
does a lot of great work going to
Washington and fighting for green
efforts.”
Science and Technology
Building
In January of 2010, the
Science and Technology Building
was opened at the University of
South Florida St. Petersburg. The
building cost $12 million, and was
funded by tax dollars gathered from
utility services on utilities. Due to
the planning, materials, and design
used in construction, the building
was certified by the USGBC as
LEED level Gold. Gold is the
second highest level of building
certification in the LEED process
Patel Center for Global Solutions
In 2011, the Patel Center for
Global Solutions opened its doors
at the Tampa Campus. Certified
Gold, the building meet stringent
requirements set forth by the
USGBC. It boasts a 30,000 gallon
storage tank designed to collect
rain water and condensation from
the air conditioning system. These
types of innovations are what make
the LEED program unique and
effective in its environmental
sustainability efforts.
In addition to the projects that
have already been completed and
certified, many projects are in the
works at USF which is further
evidence of the University’s
commitment to LEED certification.
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USF Making the Grade
The University of South
Florida is not unique in its efforts to
achieve and maintain a high level of
sustainability across its areas of
operation. Although Florida did not
even rank in the top ten for LEED
oriented states in 2013, it is useful
to compare USF to others schools
located in the state (U.S. Green
Building Council). In an ever
increasing environmentally
conscious society, students may
desire to attend “green” schools
instead of schools they do not
perceive as such. Some of the
other schools in Florida and their
LEED programs are as follows:
University of Florida
The University of Florida,
located in Gainesville, started their
LEED ambitions several years prior
to USF. In 2001, UF adopted
LEED criteria for the design and
construction of all new renovation
projects and construction. In 2006,
they decided that all new projects
must meet LEED silver standards.
This was further refined to meet
gold in 2009, and by 2013 they
raised the bar even further with an
expectation to meet LEED
certification level platinum. To
date, UF has several LEED certified
buildings completed or in the
process of completion, including
three at platinum, 26 at gold, and
11 at silver (University of Florida).
Florida State University
As part of their program for
campus sustainability, Florida State
University is utilizing the LEED
program in order to enhance
environmentally friendly design and
construction. The first LEED
certified building at FSU was
completed in 2009, and was
awarded silver level certification.
As of 2012, FSU had completed
nine LEED buildings with several
more registered with the USGBC as
in progress (Florida State
University).
University of Miami
The University of Miami has
shown commitment to environment
sustainability through their focus on
the LEED program. Beginning in
2007, UM began the process of
constructing and renovating to meet
the criteria for LEED certification.
Their goal is to meet, at a minimum,
a LEED rating of silver. As of 2010,
they had certified 433,000 square
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0
5
10
15
20
25
USF UF FSU UM UT SPC
Nu
mb
er
of
LEED
Ce
rtif
icat
ion
s (A
ny
Leve
l)
University or College
Florida Higher Education LEED Programs
feet of green building space, and
they are in the process of doing the
same for an additional 700,000
(University of Miami).
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa has
shown its green initiative through
the certification of two buildings
with LEED criteria. Their Dickey
Health and Wellness Center and
Science Annex are certified silver
and gold, respectively. These
certifications were achieved using
recycled construction materials,
efficient lighting, low flow water
fixtures, individual temperature
controls, and high quality paints
and finishes (The University of
Tampa).
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College, with
multiple campuses all across
Pinellas County Florida including
one within 20 miles of USFSP, has
instituted a policy that all new
construction and renovation
projects must meet LEED criteria.
To date, SPC has achieved LEED
certification on three buildings.
These include the Veterinary
Technology center and the Student
Services Center (St. Petersburg
College).
In terms of the number of
LEED certified buildings it has on
its campuses, USF stacks up well.
They exceed the national average
of approximately one per campus
(Hannah Debelius). Although they
are not the state leader in LEED,
USF will remain committed to the
program. According to the Office of
Sustainability at USF, one of the
University’s strategic goals is
“building a sustainable campus
environment” (University of South
Florida.) With this in mind, it can be
expected that many more LEED
certified buildings will be certified
through brand new construction or
through the renovation of existing
buildings.
(Graph: Cameron Wallace)
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(Image: USGBC)
What’s the Catch?
Pursuing and achieving LEED
certification at the University of
South Florida has numerous
advantages. These include long
term savings on energy and water
usage, protecting the environment,
and enhancing the University’s
“green” image. There are,
however, downsides to LEED which
when studying its use at USF
cannot be overlooked.
Cost
In a down economy such as
the one the United States is facing
now, serious consideration is put
into any new building or renovation
project. This is especially true
when taxpayers are footing the bill.
LEED construction is more
expensive than traditional
construction methods. Materials
such solar panels, insulated
windows, and efficient fixtures all
come at a premium cost. The
additional investment in them
needed in comparison to traditional
construction materials must be
justifiable by long term reduction on
operating and maintenance costs.
Additionally, green buildings cost
more to plan and design which in
turn can cause to total cost to rise
even further (Issa, M.H. et. al. 1).
A group of authors from
several Universities in Canada
conducted research on the long
term costs of construction,
operation, maintenance, and
rehabilitation of green school
buildings built to LEED standards
(Issa, M.H. et. al. 1). Their findings
were that although LEED buildings
were indeed more expensive to
plan for, design, and construct; total
costs over the life of buildings were
projected to be up to 25% lower in
new LEED buildings and up to 11%
lower in retrofitted buildings (Issa,
M.H. et. al. 1).
Worker Safety
Constructing in a manner to
attain LEED credits includes
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inherent risks. Additionally, these
risks are present in retrofitting
buildings to meet LEED criteria.
One such hazard to workers is the
installation and maintenance of
solar panels on rooftops
(Gambatese and Tyvios 48).
Increased time one the roof leads
to a higher risk of falling.
Additionally, Gambatese and
Tyvios argue that the use of
recycled material poses risks due to
such characteristics as jagged
edges and exposed rebar.
There are, however, some
aspects of LEED construction that
are safer for workers than
traditional construction. Low VOC
paints let off less toxic fumes and in
turn reduce worker susceptibility to
inhaling dangerous chemicals.
Carlos Sanango, a project engineer
at PCL Construction Services in the
Tampa Bay area, agrees. He
states that “LEED paint
requirements will expect much less
[VOC] which is not only better for
the environment, but uses less
dangerous chemical material.”
Slow Return on Investment
One of the primary
expectations of any LEED certified
building is that it will use less
energy and water. This is achieved
through the installation of energy
efficient light bulbs, touch free hand
dryers which shut off automatically,
low flow or waterless urinals, and
other such fixtures. These features
of a LEED certified building cost
more than traditional fixtures, and
some may argue that the initial
investment is not worth the wait it
takes to see long term savings.
Despite the initial cost to
install efficient fixtures, they will
eventually pay for themselves.
How long this takes is unique on a
case by case basis, however the
evidence supports the notion that in
the long run LEED construction and
retrofitting will save USF money. In
a research study done by several
member of the Air Force Institute of
Technology, statistical analysis
showed that the LEED certified
buildings in their study incurred an
average of 31% lower energy costs
(Nyikos, et.al 55). Granted, this
reduction in energy usage will not
be identical for all LEED buildings,
however the evidence is
overwhelmingly in support of
achieving LEED certification from a
long term savings standpoint.
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Green Initiatives at USFSP (Photo:
Cameron Wallace)
Conclusion
The apparent shift towards a
more environmentally conscious
society is nowhere more evident
than on college campuses across
not only the United States but the
world over. This is no accident.
Hannah Debelius, manager for the
USGBC Students program at their
Center for Green Schools stated
that last year “62% of incoming
Freshman took sustainability into
account when choosing where to
attend college.” For institutions of
higher education, the importance of
going green has never been more
important. This is especially true as
a tool to recruit students for
enrollment.
At the University of South,
students and faculty alike are taking
their own stance on environmental
sustainability. Green initiatives dot
campuses across the entire USF
system of schools. Student
participation is evident through
such programs as SGEF, or
Student Green Energy Fund, which
is funded through a small fee on
tuition. The program with the
loftiest goals in pursuit of
environmental sustainability is
perhaps the University’s
involvement in the LEED program.
LEED, or Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design,
is a program which, through its
pursuit by USF, yields buildings that
are safer for the environment and
save the University money in the
long run. The program, however, is
not without setbacks. The cost to
plan and build in accordance with
LEED is more substantial than
traditional construction methods.
Additionally, LEED construction
poses unique safety hazards to
workers.
Despite the evident setbacks,
the positives of LEED far outweigh
the negatives. These buildings not
only will save the University money,
but they will support its green
initiatives and bolster its green
image in our ever increasing
environmentally conscious society.
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Annotated Bibliography
Debelius, Hannah. Personal Interview. 11 Apr. 2014.
This interview provided a valuable inside perspective from the U.S.
Green Building Council. Hannah Debelius is a manager for the
Students Program at the Center for Green Schools at the USGBC.
Florida State University. Sustainable Campus: Green Building. n.d. Web. 9
Apr. 2014.
The website for Florida State University provided information about
their LEED building efforts.
Gambatese, John, and Nicholas Tymvios. “Leed Credits: How They Affect
Construction Worker Safety.” The American Society of Safety
Engineers. (2012) : 42-52. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
This article provided information about some of the drawbacks in the
LEED certification process. Most notably, the article discussed safety
hazards posed to workers which are associated with LEED
construction.
Issa, M.H., et al. “Detailed Analysis of the Construction, Operating,
Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Costs of Green Toronto Schools.”
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Journal of Architectural Engineering. 19.1 Mar 2013. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
This article provided information regarding costs associated with
LEED construction, operation, and maintenance. Although the study
was performed in Canada, LEED criteria are universal. Therefore,
this article was relevant to LEED costs at USF.
Nyikos, David, Alfred Thal, Michael Hicks, and Sonia Leach. “To LEED or
Not to LEED: Analysis of Cost Premiums Associated With
Sustainable Facility Design.” Engineering Management Journal. 24.4.
(2012) 50-62. Academic Search Premiere. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
This article focuses on one very important part of LEED certification,
and that is the cost of operating LEED certified buildings. The
findings of the authors was that LEED buildings use substantially
lower amounts of energy than traditionally constructed buildings.
Sanango, Carlos. Personal Interview. 01 April 14
Mr. Sanago is a Project Engineer at PCL Construction Services. His
interview provided valuable firsthand insight into the construction
industry and his thoughts on LEED construction. His general attitude
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towards LEED is positive, and he is of the opinion that the program
saves institutions money in the long run.
St. Petersburg College. Office for Sustainability: Sustainable Design. 2012.
Web. 9 April 2012.
The website for St. Petersburg College provided information
regarding their pursuit of LEED certification and with other general
information regarding their green efforts.
The University of Tampa. Sustainability: LEED Certifications. n.d. Web.
9 April 2014.
The website of the University of Tampa gave insight to their
sustainability efforts. In particular, information was available
regarding their participation in LEED construction.
University of Florida. UF Planning, Design & Construction: Green Building.
n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
This is the website for the University of Florida which provided
information about the University’s LEED efforts.
University of Miami. UM Projects: Green Building Home. 2010. Web. 9 Apr.
2014.
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The website for the University of Miami gave insight into their green
efforts and more specifically their pursuit of LEED certification.
University of South Florida. Patel College of Global Sustainability.
2014.Web. 9 Apr. 2014
The website for the Patel College of Global Sustainability provided
information on all facets of USF’s green efforts. This included details
on not only LEED efforts, but student involvement and
U.S. Green Building Council. LEED. 2014. Web. 09 apr. 2014.
This is the website for the U.S. Green Building Council. The USGBC
is the organization that issues LEED certifications. This website
provided essential information regarding LEED as well as the table
located on Page 6 and image on Page 10.
Vinson, Alyssa. Personal Interview. 01 Apr. 14
Alyssa Vinson is an Education Partnership Coordinator at USF. She
was able to provide a perspective from a faculty member at the
University.
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Works Cited
Debelius, Hannah. Personal Interview. 11 Apr. 2014.
Florida State University. Sustainable Campus: Green Building. n.d. Web. 9
Apr. 2014.
Gambatese, John, and Nicholas Tymvios. “Leed Credits: How They Affect
Construction Worker Safety.” The American Society of Safety
Engineers. (2012) : 42-52. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Mar.
2014.
Issa, M.H., et al. “Detailed Analysis of the Construction, Operating,
Maintenance, and Rehabilitation Costs of Green Toronto Schools.”
Journal of Architectural Engineering. 19.1 Mar 2013. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
Nyikos, David, Alfred Thal, Michael Hicks, and Sonia Leach. “To LEED or
Not to LEED: Analysis of Cost Premiums Associated With
Sustainable Facility Design.” Engineering Management Journal. 24.4.
(2012) 50-62. Academic Search Premiere. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
Sanango, Carlos. Personal Interview. 01 April 14
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St. Petersburg College. Office for Sustainability: Sustainable Design. 2012.
Web. 9 April 2012.
The University of Tampa. Sustainability: LEED Certifications. n.d. Web.
9 April 2014.
University of Florida. UF Planning, Design & Construction: Green Building.
n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
University of Miami. UM Projects: Green Building Home. 2010. Web. 9 Apr.
2014.
University of South Florida. Patel College of Global Sustainability.
2014.Web. 9 Apr. 2014
U.S. Green Building Council. LEED. 2014. Web. 09 apr. 2014.
Vinson, Alyssa. Personal Interview. 02 April 14
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Glossary of Terms
LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
USGBC U.S. Green Building Council
USF University of South Florida
USFSP University of South Florida St. Petersburg
VOC Volatile Organic Compound
Green A colloquial term used to describe environmental sustainability
The Bull at USFSP (Photo: Cameron Wallace)