Sustainability coordinator hired to create a greener campus
William Hawks
Issue date: 1/8/09 Section: News
UNCW has resolved to make sustainability a priority in the year 2009. Hiring Alyssa Halle as sustainability coordinator for the Campus Life Facilities was a huge step in creating an atmosphere more conducive to sustainable choices by students on campus.
Halle is responsible for documenting sustainable progress made thus far and creating new ways of making the campus more sustainable. She has always served on the sustainability committee here at UNCW, but until now there has never been a paid position to encourage sustainability on campus. All efforts were previously volunteer work.
Halle said, "I want students to know that the green movement isn't just about the new energy efficient light bulbs."
Creating awareness is going to require a multi-faceted approach. Channel 77 on campus televisions will now feature sustainability tips. Students can look for new signage encouraging recycling and conservation in all of the campus life buildings, including the University Union and the Fisher Student Center. Students can also expect to see a sustainability display case in the near future.
Students can already witness the push for recycling with seven new boxes in the Fisher Student Center and four in the University Union. Occupancy switches have been installed in meeting rooms, restrooms and storage closets. The paper products in the bathrooms are now green seal certified and a percentage of their composition is post-consumer recycled. Marmoleum flooring, made from all renewable material, was installed in the campus life buildings, as well as sustainable whiteboards.
Even more has been done in these buildings that cannot be seen. T8 fluorescent tubes with electronic starters, rather than magnetic ones, have been installed that reduce energy use. The plasma televisions that display the university network messages automatically turn off at midnight and back on at 7 a.m. to conserve energy.
Desk side paper recycling boxes exist in each office of the four campus life buildings. All of the accumulated cardboard is recycled as well. The irrigation systems surrounding the buildings are set to go on early in the morning to avoid evaporation from wind and sun, thus conserving water.
Building design also contributes to the sustainable lifestyle. All windows are non-operable to prevent individuals to from wasting energy and west facing windows are implemented with tinting to resist solar heat gain. The HVAC system has been selected for its energy efficiency. Water heaters were selected that provide instant hot water on demand rather than keeping water heated all day.
Promoting sustainability is being made a priority at UNCW, but the connection hasn't necessarily been made to get the students participating. Halle hopes to provide the necessary motivation and awareness to make the campus more efficient and sustainable.
Halle said "People need to understand the need for the market to change from wanting initial cheapness to the long term efficiency."
Halle is responsible for documenting sustainable progress made thus far and creating new ways of making the campus more sustainable. She has always served on the sustainability committee here at UNCW, but until now there has never been a paid position to encourage sustainability on campus. All efforts were previously volunteer work.
Halle said, "I want students to know that the green movement isn't just about the new energy efficient light bulbs."
Creating awareness is going to require a multi-faceted approach. Channel 77 on campus televisions will now feature sustainability tips. Students can look for new signage encouraging recycling and conservation in all of the campus life buildings, including the University Union and the Fisher Student Center. Students can also expect to see a sustainability display case in the near future.
Students can already witness the push for recycling with seven new boxes in the Fisher Student Center and four in the University Union. Occupancy switches have been installed in meeting rooms, restrooms and storage closets. The paper products in the bathrooms are now green seal certified and a percentage of their composition is post-consumer recycled. Marmoleum flooring, made from all renewable material, was installed in the campus life buildings, as well as sustainable whiteboards.
Even more has been done in these buildings that cannot be seen. T8 fluorescent tubes with electronic starters, rather than magnetic ones, have been installed that reduce energy use. The plasma televisions that display the university network messages automatically turn off at midnight and back on at 7 a.m. to conserve energy.
Desk side paper recycling boxes exist in each office of the four campus life buildings. All of the accumulated cardboard is recycled as well. The irrigation systems surrounding the buildings are set to go on early in the morning to avoid evaporation from wind and sun, thus conserving water.
Building design also contributes to the sustainable lifestyle. All windows are non-operable to prevent individuals to from wasting energy and west facing windows are implemented with tinting to resist solar heat gain. The HVAC system has been selected for its energy efficiency. Water heaters were selected that provide instant hot water on demand rather than keeping water heated all day.
Promoting sustainability is being made a priority at UNCW, but the connection hasn't necessarily been made to get the students participating. Halle hopes to provide the necessary motivation and awareness to make the campus more efficient and sustainable.
Halle said "People need to understand the need for the market to change from wanting initial cheapness to the long term efficiency."
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