Goin' Green

Some of Moseley Architects' exciting collegiate projects that are pursuing LEED certification include:

• Technology Information Building, Blue Ridge Community College
• Mason School of Business, College of William and Mary
• CISAT Campus Dining Facility, James Madison University

Colleges & Universities Strive for Carbon Neutrality

Earlier this year, the leaders of 284 of the nation’s colleges and universities signed an agreement to start their schools on paths to carbon neutrality. The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) calls on institutions of higher learning, which represent a $317 billion industry, to recognize their influential roles in climate change education, and to adapt their policies accordingly.

Since the agreement was made public in June, a total of 375 signatories have committed to reducing, and eventually eliminating, carbon emissions at their schools. The goal of the ACUPCC is to have 1,000 signatories by the end of 2009, which represents one quarter of America’s colleges and universities.

The Climate Commitment requires that, within two years of signing, schools create institutional structures to outline and implement greenhouse gas emissions policies, complete an inventory of carbon emissions, develop an institutional action plan, and initiate those actions.

Here’s what some schools who have signed on are doing:

• The University of California has passed a policy to meet 20 percent of their electricity needs form renewable sources by 2017.Across the country, more and more schools are going green to save money, protect the environment, and help kids learn.
• The Universities of Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan State University have joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), which is North America’s only legally binding greenhouse gas emission registry, reduction and trading system.
• Students at the University of Colorado-Boulder organized a vote to increase student fees by $1 a semester to purchase the output of a 2 million kWh/yr wind turbine. Later, they voted to expand the wind purchase to 8.8 million kWh/yr, reducing the University’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 12 million pounds.
• Students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland voted to increase student fees by $25 annually to raise money for the purchase of renewable energy.
• Middlebury College is forming policies to become carbon neutral by 2016.
• Arizona State University has begun a School of Sustainability and is working on a business park that will feature environmentally-minded businesses

Newsweek, 2007. ACUPCC Program Overview, 2007. A Call for Climate Leadership: Progress & Opportunities in Addressing the Defining Challenge of Our Time, 2007.

Longwood University on a Silver Path to Sustainability

The campus of Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia is now home to the university’s first high performance building. The new Health & Fitness Center, which opens this fall, was designed and constructed according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Originally intended to earn basic certification, the facility is now expected to earn a Silver rating under the LEED Green Building Rating System®.

The construction of the new facility marks the beginning of the University’s commitment to sustainability and high performance design principles. Currently, the university is incorporating principles of sustainability into its campus master plan and is considering LEED certification for another one of its projects.

High performance features of the new Health & Fitness Center include:

• an energy savings of 43 percent due to energy recovery, thicker roof insulation, high efficiency glazing, and demand-controlled ventilation;


• waterless urinals, low-flow showers, and ultra low-flow lavatories, contributing to a water use reduction of over 40 percent;


• mechanical equipment free of ozone-depleting CFCs, HCFCs, and Halons;


• a measurement and verification system to monitor building energy performance;


• carbon dioxide monitoring to ensure adequate ventilation;


• temperature and humidity monitoring;


• recycled and regionally-manufactured materials;


• FSC certified wood;


• construction waste management, resulting in the diversion of 98 percent of construction waste from landfills; and


• indoor air quality management during construction to prevent the contamination of materials.

Additionally, signage is posted throughout the building, which highlights the building’s green features, to educate building users and visitors.

Prior to the facility’s construction, recreational spaces were disorganized and scattered around the campus. Now that the Health & Fitness Center is complete, these recreation spaces are conveniently located under one roof. A fitness area with climbing wall, multipurpose gymnasium, basketball courts, exercise rooms, and racquetball courts provide new recreational opportunities for the university’s students.

For more information on the Longwood University Health & Fitness Center, please contact George Nasis at gnasis@moseleyarchitects.com.

Green Tips

Going green when you shop is a win-win situation. You save money and help the environment at the same time.

Go Big or Go Home
A family of four can save up to $2,000 a year at the grocery store by choosing large sizes as opposed to single serving sizes. Buying items in bulk also helps to reduce packaging waste.
Practical examples include:

• Buying cereal in a large box instead of individual boxes.


• Foregoing the juice boxes and instead picking up juice concentrate.


• Grabbing one large jug of bottled water instead of several six-packs of smaller bottles. And consider buying a reusable water bottle and fill it instead of using a new one each time.


• Purchasing flour and sugar in large packages.


• Avoiding the small boxes of raisins and buying the same amount in the 24 ounce containers.

Get to Know Your Local Recycling Rules
Be sure you have a good understanding of the kinds of containers your local recycling program accepts. That way you can be sure to purchase items that come in those same types of containers. For example, most recycling programs accept #1 and #2 plastics, which are common materials used to package consumer items.

Invest in Long-Term Savings
Items that you can reuse are cheaper in the long run than those you throw away and buy over and over again. Reusable items also help to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills.

• Use rechargeable batteries for toys, flashlights, and radios.


• Use a real


• Switch to cloth napkins, towels, or sponges instead of paper or one-use types.


• Use washable plates, cups, and silverware as opposed to their environmentally-unfriendly disposable counterparts.


• Consider relying on an electric razor or a hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors.


• Buying high quality tires, which cost less per mile traveled and help to reduce the problem of disposing of old tires.


• Use a washable mug for your morning coffee instead of a Styrofoam or plastic cup.


• Bring your own bags to your grocery store (cloth or old paper/plastic ones).

Earth911.org, 2007.