WSCC President’s Report 2009 Resource Development
Becoming a Green Campus Wallace State has established a Green Team to research and develop ways to make the campus more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Their first step was as simple as placing signs in bathrooms to turn off lights when not in use. That was followed by placing recycling boxes for plastic bottles in offices. Plans for a full-scale recycling program are in the works. The student newspaper and class schedule are now printed on recycled paper. In May students will wear graduation gowns each made of 20 recycled plastic bottles. The new Ottis and Evelyn Burrow Center for the Fine and Performing Arts was constructed using green concepts in the architectural design. Many components of this building are LEED inspired or LEED equivalent. The flooring products used have a high recycled or rapidly renewable resource content. Bamboo was chosen for its durability and because it is a rapidly-renewable product that will regenerate in 10 years. The sheet vinyl chosen contains significant percentage of natural cork. The carpet used received a Cool Carpet Certificate from Bentley Prince Street acknowledging that 22 tons of certified carbon dioxide credits will be retired as a result of this aspect of the building design. The building
contains a significant amount of natural poured concrete, water-based dyes and solvents. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were installed. A high efficiency lighting system using LED/ low-power usage fixtures will complement the large amount of natural light coming in through the many floor-toceiling windows in the building. These windows not only illuminate regularly occupiable spaces but also provide occupants of the building with views of the outside. The exterior of the building was designed to maximize energy efficiency by regulating the amount of heat entering and leaving the building. Programmable and internet controllable thermostats are being installed in buildings across campus, allowing the Physical Plant department to set temperatures back at night and during other times buildings are unoccupied to conserve energy. Programmable thermostats are already in nine buildings on campus. Cost savings analyses show that conversion to highly efficient Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)-rated HVAC systems pay for themselves in a matter of years. The department has already converted dozens of units and continues to replace old, out-dated equipment with modern efficient, environmentally friendly equipment -- going from one
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end of campus to the other making the conversion. The conversion of lighting ballasts across campus from T12 to more efficient T-8s and the gradual addition of sensorcontrolled lighting are among other energy saving measures. The College has also incorporated computerized maintenance management software that will automatically provide alerts for scheduling preventative maintenance and track inventory needed for critical repairs. “A prioritized approach to maintenance makes even older equipment more efficient,� said Phil Studdard, Director of Physical Plant. Long-term campus planning includes pedestrian only areas, walking paths, and additional green spaces in the central part of campus. A department of Transportation grant is under way allowing the College to construct a new entrance to campus, improve signage and landscaping.
WSCC student Bethany Petty helps spruce up campus during Earth Day events.