Sustainability
Sustainability Initiatives
1. Campus Wide Energy Audit and Master Plan – During the summer of 2010, the College contracted with Aramark Energy Management to conduct an audit of energy consumption on campus for the purpose of identifying opportunities to reduce overall consumption. The Audit has helped the College determine better ways to procure energy, expand the central plant operations and systematically replace outdated inefficient plant equipment.
2. Energy Star Appliances - As appliances and other electrical devices are replaced in the College’s residential buildings and other areas on campus, the replacements will bear the ENERGY STAR logo and carry the Energy
Guide label. This means that the appliances meet the energy efficiency standards set by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. These appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than other models. Examples of this include refrigerators, window air conditioners, and the College’s new copier fleet.
3. Energy-Saving Lighting and Lighting Sensors – The College has started to replace traditional incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Also, the College has started to install lighting control devices in some areas including classrooms and restrooms. Additionally, the Capital Projects office will incorporate lighting controls into future space renovations. These controls will prevent lights from being left on when space is not in use.
4. Revamping Campus Water Fountains – The US Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that NYC tap water is one of the highest quality waters in the world. Drinking bottled water contributes to the amount of CO2
added to the atmosphere each year. To help eliminate bottled water on campus, beginning in the summer of 2010 the Office of Facilities Management began a two-year retrofit/ replacement project for all campus water fountains. The fountains will be replaced or retrofitted with new filtered water fountains which will have an extended faucet to enable filling of personal water bottles. This work has already been completed in Grace Dodge. As part of the College’s commitment we ask that members of the community eliminate their use of bottled water and instead utilize these new fountains. Mayor Bloomberg has banned bottled water in all city buildings; let’s follow his lead.
5. Water Saving Measures - The College has been utilizing water saving washing machines in all residence halls for the past four years. As a result, we have saved 1,762,000 gallons of water in the residence hall laundry rooms. water saving toilets.
2. Energy Star Appliances - As appliances and other electrical devices are replaced in the College’s residential buildings and other areas on campus, the replacements will bear the ENERGY STAR logo and carry the Energy
Guide label. This means that the appliances meet the energy efficiency standards set by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. These appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than other models. Examples of this include refrigerators, window air conditioners, and the College’s new copier fleet.
3. Energy-Saving Lighting and Lighting Sensors – The College has started to replace traditional incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Also, the College has started to install lighting control devices in some areas including classrooms and restrooms. Additionally, the Capital Projects office will incorporate lighting controls into future space renovations. These controls will prevent lights from being left on when space is not in use.
4. Revamping Campus Water Fountains – The US Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that NYC tap water is one of the highest quality waters in the world. Drinking bottled water contributes to the amount of CO2
added to the atmosphere each year. To help eliminate bottled water on campus, beginning in the summer of 2010 the Office of Facilities Management began a two-year retrofit/ replacement project for all campus water fountains. The fountains will be replaced or retrofitted with new filtered water fountains which will have an extended faucet to enable filling of personal water bottles. This work has already been completed in Grace Dodge. As part of the College’s commitment we ask that members of the community eliminate their use of bottled water and instead utilize these new fountains. Mayor Bloomberg has banned bottled water in all city buildings; let’s follow his lead.
5. Water Saving Measures - The College has been utilizing water saving washing machines in all residence halls for the past four years. As a result, we have saved 1,762,000 gallons of water in the residence hall laundry rooms. water saving toilets.
6. Green Cleaning Chemicals - The College began using green cleaning chemicals in 2009 on in the academic buildings and recently expanded the program into the residence halls. The chemicals do not contain bleach, dyes or ammonia and meet the Green Seal Standard (GS - 37).
7. Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) Building Management Systems – The College has taken steps to modernize heating and cooling system controls which operate the campus’ various HVAC systems and components. By expanding the Direct Digital Control Building Management System (BMS), HVAC systems operate more effectively and efficiently. These controls automatically shut down fans and other devices based on pre-programmed temperature settings. This allows the College to maintain adequate indoor temperatures when the buildings are occupied and to then raise or lower temperatures when the buildings are not occupied. Additionally, this allows for flexibility in heating and cooling only certain parts of the buildings rather than the entire building.
8. Recycled Paper - 30% recycled paper is the standard for all departments for printing.
7. Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) Building Management Systems – The College has taken steps to modernize heating and cooling system controls which operate the campus’ various HVAC systems and components. By expanding the Direct Digital Control Building Management System (BMS), HVAC systems operate more effectively and efficiently. These controls automatically shut down fans and other devices based on pre-programmed temperature settings. This allows the College to maintain adequate indoor temperatures when the buildings are occupied and to then raise or lower temperatures when the buildings are not occupied. Additionally, this allows for flexibility in heating and cooling only certain parts of the buildings rather than the entire building.
8. Recycled Paper - 30% recycled paper is the standard for all departments for printing.
