Sustainable Operations

Campus Operations aim to conserve energy and reduce carbon and waste

Buildings

• Master Plan calls to "embrace sustainability"
• Perry Hall is a LEED Platinum building and uses a geothermal heating/cooling system
• Aiken Hall is a LEED Gold Certified building (see Aiken factsheet)
• Green roof at IDX Center and Perry Hall which eases storm water runoff, keeps building cooler in the summer, and keeps building warmer in the winter
• Building rehab and renovations to seal building envelope, upgrade windows, use Energy efficient HVAC systems, and other features which have produced average energy savings around 50%
• Partnership with ReSource to donate old usable furniture and salvage building materials when we renovate

Cooling

• Ice storage tank that builds ice for cooling on off-peak rates
• Elimination of ethylene glycol in cooling systems
• Night purge of academic buildings for reduced nighttime cooling

Dining Services

• Local Food Purchasing; Vermont Fresh Network member
• Fair Trade & Organic Coffee
• Pre & Post-consumer composting
• Heat capture system on dishwasher
• Guide to Greening Campus Events

Grounds

• Lawn and garden debris is composted
• All woody wastes go to the McNeil electricity generating plant for fuel
• Storm water retention system at Perry Hall

Heating & Electrical

• Digital carbon monoxide monitor sensors for residential life student safety
• Automated classroom controls for class scheduling
• Digital control scheduling for administrative offices
• Holiday mode controls for administrative buildings
• CO2 sensors in large spaces for temperature controls
• Variable frequency drives on large mechanical systems for electrical savings
• Residential Life policy about unplugging appliances during break times
• Increased use of motion sensor lighting and LED lights
• Compact florescent light bulb exchange program in residence halls

Renewable Energy / Co-generation

• Co-generation plant at 4 Cedar Lane to produce electricity while heating the building
• Geothermal heating and cooling for Perry Hall. Listed as an example in the NWF Guide, Going Underground on Campus

• 40,000 watt solar array installed on the Miller Center at Lakeside roof in 2011 (see factsheet)

Transportation

• Campus Area Transportation Management Association member, including Walk/ride incentive program and FREE rides on CCTA buses
• Cyclists have access to shower facilities
  Map of bike racks on campus.
• Free shuttle service on campus, to off-site parking lots, and off-site residence halls
• Host for two CarShare Vermont cars
• Participate in annual Way To Go! Commuter Challenge (Winner of Large Employer Award in 2008; Honorable Mention for Large Employer in 2011)

Water

• Installation of low flow shower heads in all residence halls
• Modulation of boiler water temperatures
• Regulate hot water discharge with hot water mixing valves
• Replaced all campus washing machines with high efficiency models. See Laundry View for more information

Waste reduction & diversion

• Single stream recycling for wide variety of paper products, plastics #1-7, glass, and aluminum. Check out our recycling, composting, and reuse guidelines for more information.
• Pre and post-consumer composting in the dining hall and Jazzman's Cafe
• Refill discounts at Jazzman's Café for bringing your own mug
• Water bottle refill stations in several buildings across campus. See the map of where you can find free water on campus.
• Guide to Greening Campus Events
• Move Out collection programs for on and off-campus students
• Book collection program, partnering with Better World Books

Partnerships with

• Burlington Electric, Campus Area Transportation Management Association, CarShare Vermont, CCTA, Chittenden Solid Waste District, Efficiency Vermont, ReSource, Local Motion, Vermont Fresh Network, Vermont Gas

Contacts:

• Tom Bonnette, Physical Plant Director
• Ted DiGrande, Dining Services General Manager
• Christina Erickson, Sustainability Director