Download
1 / 25
250 likes | 337 Views
Discover how Kennesaw State University excels in sustainability with LEED certifications, green building practices, campus initiatives, and community programs to promote environmental stewardship. Explore the university's commitment to sustainability through energy-saving measures, recycling programs, student-led projects, greenhouse gas audits, and more.
E N D
In 2012 Kennesaw State University was among seven Georgia Colleges & Universities named in the “Green Colleges List” issued by the Princeton Review in partnership with the U. S. Green Building Council.
Facilities • Prillaman Hall received the Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, at the Gold level, • KSU’s Social Sciences Building is Silver LEED certified and the Commons is Gold certified. • The Science Laboratory Building is currently being reviewed for LEED certification as well.
What is LEED? • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a third party certification program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000. • The nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. • LEED certification offers third party validation of a project’s green features and verifies that the building is operating exactly the way it was designed to.
LEED Certification • Building projects earn LEED certification and points for satisfying prerequisites within each of the LEED categories: • Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) • The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives: • Certified: 40–49 points • Silver: 50–59 points • Gold: 60–79 points • Platinum: 80 points and above
The KSU Commons Dining Hall is a nationally acclaimed model of sustainability • It has energy and water-conserving features, all food wastes are composted, and oil waste is sold as a biodiesel source
American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment KSU has carried out 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) audits – for fiscal years 2008 & 2010: http://www.kennesaw.edu/sustainability The audits point to commuting as our largest GHG producer KSU grew by 8% from 2008 – 2010; GHGs increased by 1% per student GHG emissions dropped by 9%
Energy-Saving Measures • Combining Christmas & New Years campus shut-downs • Adding Energy-efficient LEED buildings • Setting thermostats @ 680 (winter) & 780 (summer) • Motion-detector light controls
Federal Stimulus funding awarded in 2010 have been used to increase energy efficiency in older buildings
“BOB” Shuttle Routes began in Spring, 2011 • routes to remote parking lots & campus buildings • routes connecting nearby apartments
Zimride carpool system • Select potential carpool participants using the social-network Zimride system: https://web.kennesaw.edu/auxiliaryservices/content/student-carpooling
Shuttles reduce traffic congestion & pollution caused by prolonged vehicle idling times • KSU instituted a “No Idle” Policy in 2010
The KSU campus is rapidly losing its natural areas, including a small forest that houses pink ladyslippers, a rare native orchid • Nearby off-campus sites for outdoor lab and field experiences have been identified; this will reduce the impact of these classes on KSU’s forested areas
Students are designing a Bioswale to capture pollutants in campus storm water runoff
Recycling • KSU uses a “single source” (materials can be mixed) recycling system • KSU accepts paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, glass drink bottles, batteries, and plastics #s 1 - 7
Residence Halls • The newer buildings on the North side of campus have energy and water conserving features • Resident Assistants plan Sustainability Events (such as an “Earth Hour” celebration) on a regular basis
KSU Athletics • Under the leadership of our Athletic Director, Vaughn Williams, KSU is introducing measures and events to promote sustainability in our athletics programs
