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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Larry L. Owsley
Title: Vice President for Business Affairs
Date survey submitted: July 28, 2009
ADMINISTRATION
SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
1) Does your school have its own formal sustainability policy?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
2) Has the president of your institution signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. If completed, please provide the date the GHG Report was submitted to the ACUPCC: Report has not been submitted yet. The report is due September 20009.
3) Has your institution signed the Talloires Declaration?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes
4) Is there a sustainability component in your institution's master plan and/or strategic plan (check all that apply)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes, in the master plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available: The University of Louisville is currently updating the Belknap Campus master plan. The draft plan includes a sustainability section focusing on energy and climate, buildings, land use, grounds, storm/surface water, and transportation and parking. A direct link to the final master plan will be provided to the Sustainable Endowment Institute in September 2009 when the plan is finalized.
[X ] Yes, in the strategic plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
“Expanding our efficiency and sustainable initiatives and achieving the highest “STAR” rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.” http://louisville.edu/president/2020plan/vision2020.pdf
ADVISORY COUNCIL
5) Does your school have a council or committee that advises on and/or implements policies and programs related to sustainability?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes
If you answered "No" to question 5, please proceed directly to question 11.
6) Please provide the name of the committee and list the number of meetings held since August 2008.
Name: Sustainability Council
Number of meetings: 10
Source: http://louisville.edu/provost/fromtheprovostitems/sustainabilitycouncil.html#council
7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
Sustainability Council
[# 4] Administrators
[# 11] Faculty
[# 1 ] Staff
[# 2] Students
[# 0] Other. Please describe:
Sustainable Education and Research Committee
[# 2] Administrators
[# 16] Faculty
[# 5] Staff
[# 4] Students
[# 2] Other. Please describe: Public School representative
Sustainable Operations Committee
[# 5] Administrators
[# 8] Faculty
[# 2] Staff
[# 2] Students
[# 0] Other. Please describe:
Sustainable Administration and Finance
[# 8] Administrators
[# 3] Faculty
[# 5] Staff
[# 4] Students
[# ] Other. Please describe:
8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents.
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Sustainability Council
Name of chair(s): Joy L. Hart
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Faculty
Sustainable Education and Research Committee
Name of chair(s): Kandi Walker and Tom Starr
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Faculty
Sustainable Operations Committee
Name of chair(s): Larry Owsley
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Administrator
Sustainable Administration and Finance
Name of chair(s): Mike Curtin
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Administrator
9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)?
Executive Vice President/Provost, Shirley Willihnganz
10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.
Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008:
Progress made on each of these issues since August 2008:
The University continued collaboration with the Partnership for a Green City as noted in the follow initiatives:
· Involved in several working committees (e.g., climate change, waste management, public health, purchasing, environmental education, and energy efficiency)
· Participated in the newly formed teams started since August 2008:
o Green Infrastructure (Stormwater Management)
o Local Foods Initiative
o Urban Forestry
o Green Jobs
· Completion of pledge to reduce energy use by nearly 1,000 faculty, staff, students, and administrators (including the University President and Provost)
· Installed solar hot water and photovoltaic system in the Speed School
· Provided staff and space for Green City Partnership Director
· Developed annotated list of sustainability and sustainability-related courses offered at the University
· Finalized the Climate Action Report (www.partnershipforagreencity.org) and all Partnership teams are working on goals and objects in support of the Climate Action Report.
· Recycled electronic waste through e-cycling program
· Initiated program to inform all new employees on Environmental Principles adopted by the University
· Held two Youth Summits at UofL in the past year and is working on a publication of "What Every Environmental Educator Should Know About Jefferson County".
· Present Sustainability Awareness and inform all new employees about the environmental principles adopted by the University at each new employee orientation session at UofL
· Working with landfill to create a food composting facility in Louisville
· Moving to single stream recycling.
· Working on adaptive strategies for asthmatic school children.
The University Honors Program began a process of “greening the honors program” in fall of 2006. The progress continues during the 2009 academic year as noted below.
· Continued sustainability-related courses and added eight new offering in the 2009 academic year. New offerings noted with an “*”. Previous years included for informational purposes.
o Fall 2007
§ Childern, Health & the Environment
§ Reading the Natural Landscape
§ Urban Water
§ Global Ecopolitics
§ Environmental Education
§ Discovering Darwin
o Spring 2008
§ Connecting Research and the Community I
§ Connecting Research and the Community II
o Summer 2008
§ Global Warming, Climate Change
o Fall 2008
§ Environmental Communication *
§ Environment, Culture and the Arts *
§ Urban Water
§ Global Warming, Climate Change
§ Reading the Natural Landscape
§ Environmental Law and Policy *
§ Body and Health: The Individual*
§ Body and Health: The Individual – Wr *
o Spring 2009
§ Local Food *
§ Connecting with the Community
§ Health Exercise Psychology II: The Community *
o Summer 2009
§ Global Warming, Climate Change
o Fall 2009
§ Climate Change
§ Renewable Energy *
§ Body and Health: The Individual
· Student research on sustainability topics as part of course work as noted in the following examples of conducted projects:
o Stormwater Management at UofL (spring 2008, Honors 341)
o Environmental Education (spring 2008, Honors 341)
o Food Services at UofL (spring 2008, Honors 341)
o Community Supported Agriculture (spring 2009, Anthropology)
o Energy Assessments (spring 2009, Honors)
o Energy Plan for Kersey Library (spring 2009, Civil and Environmental Engineering)
o Green Team Communication Plan (fall 2008, Communication)
o Cutting Energy Use in the Dorms (fall 2009, Honors)
o Food Diaries (fall 2007, Public Health)
o Solar Energy Design Projects (spring 2008 and spring 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Solar Energy Storage Research (2008 and 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Passive Solar Heating Research (2008 and 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Solar Heliodon Development (2008 and 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Solar Water Heating and Photovoltaic Monitoring System Development (2008 and 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Solar Energy Instructional Laboratory Development (spring and summer 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Child Health and Somali Bantu Research (2008, Honors)
o Asthma in Early Childhood: Connecting to the Community (2008, Honors)
o Teaching Healthy Living in JCPS Schools (2008, Honors)
· Student research on sustainability topics done as a part of a co-op or internship:
o Raingardens and Pervious Concrete in Stormwater Management (summer 2009, Civil and Environmental Engineering)
o Energy Assessments (summer 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
o Using the WWW to Promote Sustainability (spring 2009, Liberal Studies)
· Student independent study projects on sustainability:
o Greening the Dorms (spring 2009, Communication)
o Greening and the Hispanic Community (spring, Communication)
o Passive solar heating (summer 2009, Mechanical Engineering)
The Arts and Sciences “Green Team,” formed in January of 2008, continued its work throughout the 2008-2009 academic year. With funding from the A&S Dean, this group evaluated energy use in A&S departments, providing individuals and departments with results and suggestions to reduce energy use. In addition, the Dean provided funding for a pilot green dorm room project. Several courses in A&S (e.g., Integrated Marketing Communication) also intersected with these goals and involved students in determining how to green the campus. See Green Dorm Room report in appendix.
The Council and its committees have undertaken a variety of additional efforts.
Progress here included:
· Participation in national Sustainability Day, the University’s first time doing this event. The turnout at the event was large and the feedback was positive.
· Participation in national Teach-In on Climate Change
· Participation in sustainability conference:
o EPA Sustainability at Colleges Conference in October 2008,
o AASHE Conference in November 2008, and
o AASHE’s Sustainability Across the Curriculum workshop January 2009.
· Proposal for a University Sustainability Center; hiring Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability is first step in reaching this goal.
· All committees set priority goals extending until 2020.
· Research and Education Committee
o began discussions of developing a sustainability major,
o initiated a compilation of all research projects and funding that deal with sustainability at the University,
o supported the KIESD journal, Sustain, sponsored special issue on undergraduate and graduate student research on sustainability,
o organized and led a teach-in on Global Climate Change in February 2009,
o developed the two-day “Green Threads: Sustainability Across the Curriculum” workshop for faculty, which took place in April 2009 and continues throughout the 2009-2010 academic year, and
o supported the A&S Student Council sponsored Sustainability Art Fair.
· The Operations Committee implemented a several initiatives. These included:
o development of a green purchasing policy,
o an environmentally conscious purchasing contracts program (also including employee discounts),
o work in energy conservation (ranging from “turn out lights” stickers to swapping out bulbs and developing an energy use plan),
o funding for university AASHE membership by Vice President for Business Affairs,
o working with students on several initiatives (e.g., storm water runoff, mapping of trees, measuring energy use),
o developed policy targeting LEED silver-standard for new construction and major renovation projects, steps toward sustainability design in several current construction projects,
o began campus farmers’ markets and CSA, steps toward purchasing local foods for campus consumption,
o enhanced recycling program on campus,
o initiated computer recycling program as well as a cell phone and accessory program,
o enhanced carpet recycling program,
o executed MOU with Habitat for Humanity for surplus goods release,
o conducting condensation study to determine feasibility of using condensation for toilets and irrigation,
o connected University’s sustainability work to the local school system,
o hosted Environmental Youth Summit (with over 300 area youth participating), and
o creation and expansion of several online resources (e.g., Websites)
· The Finance Committee began several processes targeted toward making campus more sustainable. These activities included:
o developing process to assess sustainable investments,
o determining how to implement financial initiatives as part of the 2020 strategic plan,
o discussion of university-wide sustainability recognition plan,
o plans to develop metrics to record activities (e.g., student participation in sustainability community service), and
o discussion of more sustainable human resource policies
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF
11) Does your school employ sustainability staff (excluding student employees and interns)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide titles and number of sustainability staff.
[# 3] Number of full-time staff (in FTE).
Titles: [ Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability; Performance contracting staff engineer; Partnership for a Green City Director]
[# 1] Number of part-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ ]
· Sustainability Council membership – To support the University’s strategic plan to achieve the highest STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education the provost appointed a sustainability council. The seventeen member council will oversee the work of focused committees; develop and review policies; set metrics and provide oversight to measure progress towards STARS highest rating; serve as a clearinghouse for university activities; and encourage and publicize efforts relating to sustainability.
o Sustainability Council Chair – Joy Hart, Communication Faculty
§ Sustainability Council Operations Committee Chair - Larry Owsley, Vice President for Business Affairs
§ Sustainability Council Academic/Research Committee Co-Chairs - Kandi Walker, Communication Faculty and Tom Starr, Associate Dean for Speed School of Engineering
§ Sustainability Council Finance Committee Chair - Mike Curtin, Vice President for Finance
· Other staff dedicated to sustainability
o Physical Plant – Various employees in administration, energy management, landscaping and grounds spend a portion of their time planning and supporting sustainability initiatives.
§ Recycling and landscape staff – Aaron Boggs, Superintendent of Grounds
§ Energy Management – Jeff Dean, Building Systems Engineer
o LEED initiative – Various Planning, Design & Construction and employees leading and designing facilities towards achieving LEED silver certification on construction and large renovation projects.
o Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development (KIESD) - Russ Barnett, Director
§ Center for Environmental Education - Teddie Phillipson-Mower, Director
§ Center for Environmental Engineering – Mark French, Director
§ Center for Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences –Russell Prough, Director
§ Center for Environmental Policy and Management – Lauren Heberle, Director
§ Center for Environmental Science – Margaret Carreiro, Director
§ Center for Land Use and Environmental Responsibility – Tony Arnold, Director
§ Center for Sustainable and Urban Development – John Gilderbloom, Director
§ Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC) - Cam Metcalf, Executive Director
12) Does the head of the sustainability staff report directly to the president or another high-level administrator (e.g., vice president, vice chancellor)?
[ ] N/A
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: Direct report to Provost
OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT
13) Does your school have an office or department specifically dedicated to furthering sustainability on campus?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe (including name of office or department and year created): Partnership for a Green City, 2004; Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development, 1992
WEBSITE
14) Does your school have a website detailing its sustainability initiatives?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide URL: http://louisville.edu/updc/sustainability
GREEN PURCHASING
15) Does your school have a formal green purchasing policy?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to full policy, if available: The purchasing policy is very comprehensive. It addresses the following issues: energy, water, toxins, pollutants, bio-based products, forest conservation, recycling, packaging, green building, landscaping, food.
URL: http://louisville.edu/purchasing/sustainability/greenpolicy.html
16) Does your school purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: When available and practical.
[ ] All
17) Does your school purchase environmentally preferable paper products (e.g., 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council)?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ X ] All. Please describe: 30% post-consumer waste recycled paper is the standard.
18) Does your school purchase Green Seal, Environmental Choice certified, or biorenewable cleaning products?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: We estimate that greater than 90% of our cleaning products are Green Seal Certified.
[ ] All. Please describe:
19) Are your school's computer/electronics purchase decisions made in accordance with standards such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ X ] All
20) Does your school use only pesticides that meet the standards for organic crop production set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Canadian Organic Standards (excluding on-campus farms)?
[ X ] N/A
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ ] All
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
21) Has your school completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] No.
[ x ] In progress. Please describe status and provide estimated completion date:
[ x ] Yes. Please provide total annual GHG emissions (in metric tons of CO2e). Also, include the start date for each year as well as the URL to each inventory, if available online, or attach the document.
Data based on Clean Air Cool Planet (CACP) campus calculator values; Includes Scope 1 & 2 emissions. Scope 3 emission data collection is in progress.
2008: 162,224.7 metric tons
2007: 158,493.9 metric tons
2006: 182,225.5 metric tons
COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The purchase of carbon offsets does not count toward greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for this indicator. They are counted in a subsequent indicator.
22) Has your school made a commitment to reducing GHG emissions by a specific amount?
[ ] No
[X] Yes. Please list details. Signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to become carbon neutral
Reduction level: In progress
Baseline year: In progress
Target date: In progress
If you answered only "No" or "In progress" to question 21, please now skip to question 27.
REALIZED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
23) Has your school achieved a reduction in GHG emissions?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details.
Percentage reduced: 12.7% from 2006 to 2008 based on square footage basis; 16.2% from 2006 to 2008 based on full-time student basis. Note: The Kentucky electric grid shifted from the Tennessee Valley grid to the MidWest grid in 2007. While our electric usage increased our calculated GHG emissions value decreased as a result of the grid change.
Baseline year: 2006
Date achieved: 2007 and 2008, a small increase from 2007 to 2008, due to increased research square footage which typically has a higher GHG emission, remains below the 2006 rate. Note: The Kentucky electric grid shifted from the Tennessee Valley grid to the MidWest grid in 2007. While our electric usage increased our calculated GHG emissions value decreased as a result of the grid change.
24) Please provide the total heating and cooling degree days averaged over the past three years.
Data on total degree heating and cooling days is available at: http://www.degreedays.net/. This information will be used to help reduce bias between schools in different climates.
Based on NOAA Weather Data for KY (www.noaa.gov/oa/documentlibrary )
Cooling degree days average over the past three years: 1288.3
Heating degree days average over the past three years: 4323.7
25) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-thousand-square-foot basis for the past three years.
Per-Thousand-Square-Foot Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total maintained building space in thousands of square feet.
2008: 24.18 Metric Tons CO2 / Thousand square feet
2007: 23.95
2006: 27.70
26) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-full-time-student basis for the past three years.
Per-Student Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total number of full-time enrolled students.
2008: 9.25 Metric Tons / Full Time Equivalent Student
2007: 9.21
2006: 11.05
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
27) What programs or technologies has your school implemented to improve energy efficiency (e.g., cogeneration plant, retrocommissioning of HVAC systems, performing system tune-ups, temperature setbacks)?
- Retro-commissioning of Central Plant Boiler controls system
- High efficiency package boiler replacements in Miller Dorm, Student Center
- HVAC replacement upgrades in Ford Hall and Houchens building
- Lighting system upgrades in several renovation projects
- Audited for Belknap Campus energy performance contract to be implemented Fall 2009; begin HSC audit in Fall 2009
- Lighting efficiency pilot project in Strickler Hall
ENERGY CONSERVATION
28) Do you facilitate programs that encourage members of the campus community to reduce energy use (e.g., cash incentives, signs reminding individuals to turn off lights and appliances)?
[ ] No
[ x] Yes. Please describe:
- Lighting Conservation program – turn off the light switch labels
- Currently finalizing an Energy Performance Contract with an energy service company (ESCO) for Belknap Campus for implementation in Fall 2009; plans to begin audit for Health Sciences Campus in Fall 2009
- Implementation of a behavioral change pilot program in Arts and Sciences, Summer 2009
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
29) Does your school generate renewable electricity?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please specify percentage of overall electricity generated from each of the following sources and describe details below.
[ %] B100 biodiesel
[ %] Clean biomass
[ %] Concentrating solar power (CSP)
[ %] Geothermal
[ %] Low-impact hydropower
[ less than 0.01% ] Solar photovoltaics
[ %] Wind
[ %] Other
Description:
- Two photovoltaic pilot projects installed, Sackett Hall and Center for Predictive Medicine. Currently the Center for Predictive Medicine array is the largest in the state (50 Kw).
- Beginning in FY10, the Speed Engineering School will generate biodiesel in the classroom to fuel university-owned buses.
30) Does your school have solar hot water systems?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please specify number of systems and total BTUs generated annually, if available:
One system placed in operation in 2008 at Sackett Hall, annual BTU output unknown at this time. Additional installations planned at Burhans Hall and Kersey Building.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE
31) Has your school purchased electric energy from renewable sources or renewable energy credits (RECs)?
RECs and electricity from renewable sources must be Green-e certified or meet the requirements of the Green-e standard.
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (kWh):
Percentage of your total electric energy use that it represents:
32) Has your school purchased non-electric energy from renewable sources?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (BTUs):
Percentage of your total non-electric energy use that it represents:
ON-SITE COMBUSTION
33) Please provide total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion:
On-site combustion total BTU (MMBTU)
2006 = 414,758
2007 = 460,309
2008 = 506,690 (22.2% increase over 2006)
34) Please list each fuel source (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil) and the percent of overall BTUs derived from that source:
Nat. Gas Coal
2006 (MMBTU) 115,618 299,140
2007 167,472 292,837
2008 196,388 310,302
35) Is any on-site combustion for heating and cooling derived from renewable sources?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Percentage on-site combustion derived from renewable sources: [ %]
Total BTUs of energy generated from renewable sources: [# ]
Description of renewable energy sources used for on-site combustion for heating and cooling:
FOOD & RECYCLING
The food portion of this category is covered in a separate dining survey.
RECYCLING OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
36) Please indicate which traditional materials your institution recycles (check all that apply).
[ ] None
[ X ] Aluminum
[ X ] Cardboard
[ ] Glass
[ X ] Paper
[ ] Plastics (all)
[ ] Plastics (some)
[ X ] Other. Please list: Coal ash, tires, scrap metal, white goods, petroleum products, antifreeze, rendering oil.
37) Diversion rate: [ 44.30 %]
RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
38) Does your institution have an electronics recycling program?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. If available, please indicate the total annual weight or volume of each material collected for recycling or reuse.
[ X ] Batteries
[ X ] Cell phones
[ X ] Computers
[ X ] Lightbulbs
[ X ] Printer cartridges
[ ] Other E-waste. Please list:
COMPOSTING (ASIDE FROM DINING FACILITIES)
39) What percentage of your campus's landscaping waste is composted or mulched?
[ 98%] Excess mulch/wood chips as a result of wind and ice storms provided to the university community free of charge.
40) Do you provide composting receptacles around campus in locations other than dining halls (e.g., in residence halls, offices, academic buildings)?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
SOURCE REDUCTION
41) Do you have any source-reduction initiatives (e.g., end-of-semester furniture or clothing swaps and collections)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe:
Online property exchange allows units to directly exchange surplus goods, rather than have the goods moved to a central location and then moved again to the department. Property exchange site also allows units to post needed items.
Housing and Residential Life Office also hosts a Switch and Swap where student exchange clothing. This past year approximately 50 students participated and any unclaimed clothes were donated to the Salvation Army.
GREEN BUILDING
GREEN BUILDING POLICY
42) Does your school have a formal green building policy?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to the full policy, if available:
New campus construction must target LEED Silver or equivalent. New buildings over $25 million must be designed and submitted for LEED Silver. Projects between $5-25 million should be designed and submitted for LEED Certified. Existing buildings must get at least 7 points under the optimize energy performance category.
The University is also actively involved in shaping the implementation of Kentucky high performance building standards (statute KRS 56.770-784 and the recently filed administrative regulations, 200 KAR 6:070). The qualifying construction and major renovation projects must adhere to new criteria in the design and construction. This new criteria is based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for New Construction and Major Renovation 2009 standards, as adopted by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED standard required will vary depending on budgeted project size. For renovation projects where the budget exceeds half the insured value of the building being renovated, such projects are to be considered “major renovation.
URL: http://louisville.edu/purchasing/sustainability/greenpolicy.html, http://louisville.edu/updc/sustainability/High%20Performance%20Building%20Standards.pdf
GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
43) Please indicate LEED-certified buildings.
[# 0 ] Total number of LEED-certified buildings. Four facilities in process
[ sq ft] Certified-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Silver-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
- Center for Predictive Medicine – 37,370 sq. ft. http://louisville.edu/updc/projects/inprogress/cpmsustainability.html seeking Silver certification
- Clinical and Translational Research - 287,000 sq. ft. http://louisville.edu/updc/projects/inprogress/clinicalandtranslational_sustainability.html seeking Silver certification
- Kersey Library renovation -seeking certification – 33,482 sq. ft.
- Dental School renovation -seeking certification – 14,300 sq. ft.
- Total sq. ft. seeking certification = 372,152 sq. ft.
[ sq ft] Gold-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
44) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED certification criteria but are not certified.
[# ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED criteria
[ sq ft] Certified-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Silver-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names: Facilities are currently in process:
- Center for Predictive Medicine – 37,370 sq. ft. http://louisville.edu/updc/projects/inprogress/cpmsustainability.html seeking Silver certification
- Clinical and Translational Research - 287,000 sq. ft. http://louisville.edu/updc/projects/inprogress/clinicalandtranslational_sustainability.html seeking Silver certification
- Kersey Library renovation -seeking certification – 33,482 sq. ft.
- Dental School renovation -seeking certification – 14,300 sq. ft.
- Total sq. ft. seeking certification = 372,152 sq. ft.
[ sq ft] Gold-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
45) Please indicate buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0 ] Total number of ENERGY STAR buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
RENOVATIONS AND RETROFITS
46) Please indicate LEED-EB certified buildings.
[# ] Total number of LEED-EB certified buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
See response to question 43.
47) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED-EB certification criteria but are not certified.
[# ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED-EB criteria but are not certified. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
See response to question 43.
48) Please indicate renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0 ] Total number of renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
49) What energy-efficiency technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, T5 lighting, LED lighting, timers, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of maintained building space have been retrofitted with motion sensors; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
- High efficiency boilers installed in Miller Dorm & Student Center (represents less than 5% of heated space on campus)
- Central Plant Boiler control system retrocommissioning (affects nearly two-thirds of heated space on campus)
- High efficiency HVAC systems with Energy Monitoring in Ford Hall & Houchens bldg.; partial replacements in Miller Tech Center, Strickler Hall, Ernst Hall, Brigman Hall, Gottschalk Hall, Natural Sciences, J.B. Speed, Baptist Center and Fairfax buildings. The upgrades in these 11 buildings represent approx. four percent of the ventilated space on campus.
- High efficiency lighting replacements in numerous building renovations throughout campus affecting roughly 10% of occupied space.
- Vending misers – The University utilizes vending power misers to conserve energy on campus vending machines.
- Center for Translational Research Building (to be opened Jan. 2009) - A Whole Building Energy Model Simulation was developed to guide decisions toward a more energy efficient building. This performance model results in at least a 21% energy cost savings to the owner as well as conservation of energy supplies.
- Performance Contracting – In FY10 the university will initiate a performance contracting contract to reduce energy consumption by 30% over the 12-year term of the contract.
- Solar Heat Pipe—A solar heat pipe was installed in Burnham Hall for space heating. The heat pipe is a pilot project from solar research conducted on campus.
50) What water-conservation technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of the maintained building space have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
- Performance Contracting – In FY10 the university will initiate a performance contracting contract that includes a number of water conservation technologies in the next 18-months.
- Center for Translational Research Building (to be opened Jan. 2009)
-
- The landscaping and irrigation systems have been designed to reduce water consumption for landscaping by 50% and the irrigation water used on site is supplied by a non-potable source.
- High efficiency fixtures are utilized to achieve a 42.8% reduction of potable water use.
- Center for Predictive Medicine (to be opened Oct. 2009)
-
- Native plants and plants that require little water reduce the amount of potable water used for landscaping by 50%.
- Water efficient landscaping is installed that is not dependent upon permanent irrigation systems.
- High efficiency fixtures are utilized to achieve a 20% reduction of potable water use.
- Gray-water and storm water use strategies are utilized to achieve a 30% reduction of potable water use.
51) What percentage of your institution's non-hazardous construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills?
[ 59 %]
The new Center for Translational Research Building (CTRB), which is seeking LEED certification, diverted 59% of non-hazardous construction and debris. Other projects seeking LEED certification are experiencing similar diversion rates.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
52) Are there any sustainability-themed residential communities or housing options at your school?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Name of program:
Type of community (e.g., hall, building, house):
Number of students involved:
Additional details: Creating a pilot green dorm room through collaboration with a Sustainability in Architecture Course. The room is currently under construction, with plans to complete in time for the Fall 2009 semester. The student living in the room will be selected based on their demonstrated support for sustainability initiatives and will be expected to act in a continued leadership role for sustainability efforts.
Through the Residence Hall government campus-wide sustainability committee with representatives from all halls the university strives to make all residential halls aware and active regarding sustainability. The sustainability committee facilitated participating in Earth day, Sustainability day, clothing drive and Recyclemania. The university also has a service learning community that includes a focus on green initiatives.
The university is also working to increase the amount of available on-campus housing to reduce the impact of commuting to campus.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
53) Does a portion of your new student orientation specifically cover sustainability?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe how sustainability is incorporated (e.g., information sessions, green tour):
No specific programs or sessions on sustainability, however, the orientation staff have “greened” their orientation by not distributing bags or handouts. The orientation staff also provides recycling containers at all meals for drink containers.
NOTE: The Partnership for a Green City is working with the university’s student government to provide Sustainability Awareness session as a part of future new student Welcome Weekends.
INTERNSHIPS/OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
54) Does your school offer on-campus office-based sustainability internships or jobs for students?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide number of students and average number of hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Unpaid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
55) Does your school have residence hall Eco-Reps or other similar programs to promote behavioral change on campus?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide details below, and indicate URL if available:
[# X] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
Green Dorm Room Resident – Creating a pilot green dorm room through collaboration with a Sustainability in Architecture Course. The room is currently under construction, with plans to complete in time for the Fall 2009 semester. The student living in the room will be selected based on their demonstrated support for sustainability initiatives and will be expected to act in a continued leadership role for sustainability efforts. The student will receive one-half of their lodging as payment for hours worked.
[# ] Positions that award academic credit. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# X] Uncompensated positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
Residential Life Green Committee
A Housing and Residence Life group made of 20 to 25 members, which meets once a month. This committee includes 2nd year resident assistants (student residence hall staff) and representatives from Resident Student Association. The Green Committee is in process of opening up the group to any interested student living on campus. The committee’s goal is to promote awareness of sustainability within the residence halls on campus and to help increase Housing and Residence Life’s Sustainable Initiatives.
Contact: Jonathan Johnson, jonathan.johnson@louisville.edu, 852-3440
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
56) Does your school have active student-run organizations devoted to sustainability efforts on campus?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide total number of active organizations, names of organizations, a brief description of each, and URLs, if available:
· Group Recycling and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) - GRASS is a student group dedicated to bringing awareness to sustainability issues on campus and in the community. GRASS also strives to connect with other students and groups on campus to create an even larger impact on the local environment.
URL: http://uoflgrass.wordpress.com/
Students for Environmental Action
- Engineers Without Borders – International service-learning projects dedicated to improving the health and living conditions of disadvantaged populations, such as sustainable energy, clean water, waste treatment and health care.
Contact: Ben Myser, bibrowbrutus@gmail.com
Advisor: Keith Sharp, keith.sharp@louisville.edu, 502-852-7280
- Environmental Law and Land Use Society - To further an understanding and appreciation of legal concepts relevant to environment and land use.
Contact: Algeria Ford, arford01@louisville.edu, 267-997-3464
Advisor: Craig Anthony Arnold, tony.arnold@louisville.edu, 852-6388
- Students for Environmental Action - To raise awareness on local and worldwide environmental and animal rights issues; and also to provide opportunities for people to become active in their communities on environmental issues.
Contact: Tiphani Davis, tadavi02@louisville.edu, 821-4892
Advisor: Andrea Reed, ajreed01@louisville.edu, 852-0450
- Greek Houses— Recycle bins installed in each house. Hosted a Green Week and have organizational green representatives for organization.
- Rotaract Club of the University of Louisville - To provide opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills that will assist in personal development, to address physical and social needs of our communities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship.
Web: http://louisville.edu/rso/rotaract/
Contact: Robert Works, rawork01@louisville.edu, 859-743-9477
- Residential Life Green Committee - A Housing and Residence Life group made of 20 to 25 members, which meets once a month. This committee includes 2nd year resident assistants (student residence hall staff) and representatives from Resident Student Association. The Green Committee is in process of opening up the group to any interested student living on campus. The committee’s goal is to promote awareness of sustainability within the residence halls on campus and to help increase Housing and Residence Life’s Sustainable Initiatives.
Contact: Jonathan Johnson, jonathan.johnson@louisville.edu, 852-3440
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
57) Does your school organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details for all competitions.
Name of competition: Recyclemania
Year initiated: 2009
Frequency of competition:
Participants: Students, faculty, and staff
Incentives: None
Goal of competition: Increase recycling rates
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced: 0.22 lbs per person
Lasting effects of competition: Increased recycling
Website: http://www.recyclemania.org
Name of competition: Sustainability Art Fair
Year initiated: 2008
Frequency of competition: Annual
Participants: Students
Incentives: Prizes for top awards
Goal of competition: Increase awareness of sustainability issues
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website:
TRANSPORTATION
CAMPUS MOTOR FLEET
58) How many vehicles are in your institution's fleet?
[# 152 ]
59) Please list the number of alternative-fuel vehicles in each class.
[# 1 ] Hybrid. Please list makes and models: 2009 Chevy Malibu
[# 1 ] Electric. Please describe type of vehicles: Electric hybrid bus. As part of the University agreement with Transit Authority River City (TARC) to provide a continuous route around campus, typically at least one bus is an electric hybrid.
NOTE: Use of electric golf carts reduce the need to use fleet vehicles around campus.
[# 0 ] Biodiesel. Please describe type of vehicles and list biodiesel blend(s) used:
[# 6 ] Other. Please describe:
Buses use ultra-low sulfur diesel and biodiesel
(4) Ford F650 buses
(1) Ford E450 bus
(1) El Dorado National bus
NOTE: Beginning in FY10 the university owned buses will begin using biodiesel generated by the Speed Engineering School to supplement the fuel supply.
Also have bicycles (10), mopeds, electric segways (3), and mopeds (3) not included in the fleet number.
60) What is the average GHG emission rate per passenger mile of your institution's motorized fleet?
[# .021965 ] pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per passenger mile traveled.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
61) Does your school offer incentives for carpooling?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe details of the program including the type of the incentive and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
62) Does your school offer public transportation subsidies?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe the program including the size of the discount (as a percent of full price) and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students): Free city public bus transportation for students, faculty, and staff (100% subsidy) as part of the university paid campus transportation contract.
63) Does your school provide free transportation around campus?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please describe: Campus shuttle provided at no charge to students, faculty and staff.
64) Does your school operate a free transportation shuttle to local off-campus destinations?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: Free city public bus transportation for students, faculty, and staff (100% subsidy) as part of the university paid campus transportation contract.
BICYCLE PROGRAM
65) Does your school offer a bicycle-sharing/rental program or bicycle repair services?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Number of bikes available:
Fees for participation:
Repair services provided:
Note: Partnership for a Green City is currently working with the university’s student government on bike couriers and bike repair services for cycling students.
CAR-SHARING PROGRAM
66) Does your school partner with a car-sharing program?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Total number of vehicles:
Number of hybrid vehicles:
Fee for membership:
PLANNING
67) Does your school have policies that support a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly campus (e.g., in the school's master plan, a policy prohibiting vehicles from the center of campus)?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: Campus master plan developed to enhance central pedestrian corridors and major quadrangles. Parking in campus is kept to a minimum with the majority of parking occurring on the outer campus at the football stadium. Bike paths are planned to be installed in FY10 on Eastern Parkway (major street through Belknap Campus) and to be added as part of the master plan (currently under development) on Floyd Street, another major Beknap campus street.
For additional information on the upcoming Eastern Parkway project to include bike paths and to improve the pedestrian experience visit
http://brokensidewalk.com/2009/07/27/stretch-of-eastern-parkway-going-on-road-diet/
68) What percentage of individuals commute to campus via environmentally preferable transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit)?
[ 49 %] Based on the number of permits sold during FY09 less residential permits divided by the total student and employee populations. Campus circulator ridership is up 23% and TARC ridership increased 9.2% in FY09 for routes other than the campus circulator. Also the university increased the number of beds on or near campus.
STATISTICS
69) Campus setting:
[ ] Rural
[ ] Suburban
[X ] Urban
[ ] Other. Please describe:
70) Total number of buildings: [# 133 ]
71) Combined gross square footage of all buildings: [# 8,248,616 ]
72) Full-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 16,027 ]
73) Part-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 4,765 (degree seeking only) ]
74) Part-time enrollment as a proportion to a full-time course load: [# 31% (degree seeking only ]
75) Percent of full-time students that live on campus: [ 20% %]
Source: Just the Facts 2008-2009 - http://institutionalresearch.louisville.edu/files/ir/jtf/jtf200809.pdf
Questions 76-87 are for informational purposes only; responses will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
OTHER AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Please mark an "X" next to each item that applies to your institution.
76) Outdoors club: [X ] Cycling club
77) Disposable water bottle ban: [ ]
78) Participation in Recyclemania: [ X ]
79) Student trustee position: [X ] Voting member
80) Environmental science/studies major: [X ] Yes, Ph.D. in Environmental Biology
81) Environmental science/studies minor or concentration: [ X ] Yes
82) Graduate-level environmental program: [ X ] Yes
83) Student green fee: [ ]
84) Alumni green fund: [ ]
85) Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: [ ]
86) Campus garden or farm: [ ]
87) Single-stream recycling: [ ] Currently have RFP out for consideration
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