Units at The University of Scranton have to date been actively engaged in sustainability efforts, most of which do not get the attention of the campus community. Here is what the University has done so far.

For years, the Administrative Services department of the University has considered the impact of our operation on the environment. Projects and tasks that incorporate the values of sustainability and sustainable construction practices include:

• The University's new Campus Center, which is currently under construction will be a LEED certified building. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance "green" buildings. As one of many requirements for LEED certification, dumpsters in the immediate foreground are used to separate construction debris.

• Recycling - A recycling program was implemented in all facilities to gather cardboard, newspaper, office paper, plastic, glass, grass and leaves, aluminum, copper, and steel. This program has recycled over 1,000 tons of material over the past ten years. The program received a 2nd Place Award in the Governor's 2002 Rush to Recycle Program from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The University salvages recyclable materials from demolished buildings, including copper plumbing lines and uses the funds to purchase equipment for the Physical Plant. A fluorescent, sodium, HID, and metal halide lamp recycling program has also been in place for several years.

• Energy Efficiency

  • Replacement Lighting and Automation: The University has replaced approximately 2,800 incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps in all facilities and uses energy efficient lighting in all outdoor fixtures. The use of florescent lamps will save over $160,000 in electricity over the life of the lamps. For example, LED lamps installed in campus exit signs use only 10% the electrical power of regular exit sign lamps and new lighting in the Long Center reduced energy usage by about 55%. The University continually evaluates areas of campus to determine if they are over illuminated and adjusts lighting levels as appropriate. Time clocks, photo cells or both on lighting systems have been installed to conserve energy. A photo cell and timer system on the tennis court light system has been installed. The system can be turned on manually for play and shut off when no one is using the courts.
     
  • Lighting in Construction and Renovation Projects: The University highly recommends the use of EnergyStar® certified equipment in the specifications for all construction and renovation projects, Energy efficient T-8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts have been the standard on campus for new construction and renovations for the last eight years. Insulated windows have been used to replace single glazed windows in many of the freshman dormitories. Large motors in new construction or renovations are equipped with variable speed drives to reduce energy consumption.
     
  • Other Campus Systems: During prolonged holidays and breaks, temperature controls are adjusted to reduce energy consumption when buildings are vacated. All vending machines are equipped with a VendMiser® device that turns the machines off for periods of time when they are not being used. Campus preventive maintenance and service is performed on small and large heating and air conditioning systems to ensure that they run efficiently and save energy. Computer controlled temperature control systems have been installed in most new buildings to monitor operations and control usage thereby decrease energy consumption. Air conditioning systems throughout the campus have air temperature control systems that use carbon dioxide monitoring to control make up air quantities.
     

• Landscaping - Landscaping of the campus grounds prevents soil erosion, enhances the campus and produces oxygen. The University stockpiled approximately 1,200 cubic yards of topsoil from the artificial turf resurfacing of Fitzpatrick Field for use on campus landscaping projects. Soil erosion control plans are implemented on all construction projects.

• Environmental - All underground plastic and metal conduits are encased in concrete to prevent leaching of PVC and other contaminants into ground water. A hazardous waste disposal program has been in place for several years.

These are just some of the ways that the University's Physical Plant has embraced this important issue.

Physical Plant – Report on Sustainable activities, summer 2006.

1. LEED certification of the Campus Center Project is going forward full speed ahead. Particular items are approached differently so to build an environmentally friendly building. Items like what type of wood is used, where it is purchased, what is the distance materials are being shipped, how materials from the site are removed, record keeping of waste removal, recycling removal, hvac energy computer modeling, etc.

2. Report on 2005/06 water conservation project. The utility budgets have been reviewed from last year and a savings of $106,000 was realized. This is a water savings of 11,413,000 gallons. We will continue to monitor the water savings into the future. Dormitory maintenance also installed water conserving toilets in the Montgomery House, 1210 Linden, 1214 Linden, and the Wayne House this past spring.

3. An occupancy sensor installation project is underway in Saint Thomas Hall. All classrooms will have sensors installed. The sensors will use two technologies to control the lights. The sensor will also perform daylight harvesting if the light level from the sun shine is bright enough.

4. Recycling changes have improved our numbers. Glass and plastic is up 36%, Office Paper 3%, Newspaper 52%, and recycled metal is now being tracked (20,000 pound in 05/06). Total recycled tonnage is up from 149 tons to 170 tons (14.4%).

5. Energy efficient lighting was installed in the following areas during the summer renovations, Fitch Hall, Hafey Hall, Ciszek Hall, and five mediated classrooms.

6. An increased usage of Compact Fluorescents lamps in the Classroom and office buildings was also noticed.