Aquinas College – Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College – Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://www.aquinas.edu/

Contact
Deborah Steketee, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College, Academic Building, Room 210, 1607 Robinson Rd. SE, Grand Rapids. MI 49506; 616-632-2930; stekedeb@aquinas.edu; http://www.centerforsustainability.org/

Aquinas College emphasized its commitment to sustainability and combating climate change during the summer of 2008 by joining the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The selection of Aquinas President Edward Balog to the 2009-2010 ACUPCC Steering Committee comprised of the heads of 22 member institutions, further highlights the sustainability goals of both the president and Aquinas College. The ACUPCC requires member institutions to complete emissions inventories and work to reduce on-campus greenhouse emissions with the long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

The 40,000 square foot Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College earned a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating from the US Green Building Council in 2008. Aquinas College has committed to LEED ratings for all major renovations and new building projects on campus.

Through the use of low-flow faucets and toilets throughout Hauenstein Library, water use is 32% less than a standard facility of similar size. Storm water runoff from the building and surrounding area diverts from the storm sewer system to an adjacent pond which serves as the source for irrigating the building’s landscaping. In the renovation of the Academic Building, numerous water efficiency techniques were utilized. Use of potable water was reduced by 37.06% through the installation of low-flow faucets and toilets (with motion sensors). Furthermore, the property surrounding the Academic Building is not irrigated, other than a few flower patches.

The Hauenstein Library was designed to maximize energy performance in regard to the building envelope, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), lighting, and other electric systems and to be in compliance with ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)/IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) 90.1-2004. See http://www.ashrae.org/ and http://www.iesna.org/, respectively.

Renovations of the Academic Building were also made to be in compliance with ASHRAE /IESNA 90.1-2004. Additional energy efficiency measures included in the renovation were:

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems comply with the efficiency requirements outlined in the New Buildings Institute, Inc.’s publication "Advanced Buildings: Energy Benchmark for High Performance Buildings" (see http://www.advancedbuildings.net/documents/AB_Benchmark_1-1.pdf )

Appropriate Zoning and Controls are in place for individual offices. For example, every office has a motion sensor light switch (with an override button). Because every office has at least one large window, artificial lighting is often unnecessary.

In addition, Aquinas College recently hired an energy coach (Professional Supply, Inc.) and is currently performing a full energy audit of campus buildings. The college's greenhouse gas inventory is complete and has been shared with campus community members. Upgrades to current energy systems are always under serious consideration. For example, campus lighting was completely retrofitted with the Philips Alto Bulb, the fluorescent bulb with the least amount of mercury on the market. All exit signs are being replaced with LED signs. All incandescent dorm room lighting in the largest dormitory on campus was replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs.

Nearly 60% of the building materials for construction of the Hauenstein Library were shipped from facilities within 500 miles, supporting the local economy and reducing the environmental impact of transporting materials to the job site. Material content strategies used in the Academic Building renovation include:

Over 95% of on-site generated construction waste was diverted from the landfill.

44.16% of the total building materials content (by value) was manufactured using recycled materials.

38.97% of the total building materials value is comprised of building materials and/or products that have been manufactured within 500 miles of the project site.

Indoor environmental quality is taken into consideration in new construction and renovations at Aquinas. All adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet, padding, and particleboard used in the Grace Hauenstein Library are low VOC (volatile organic compounds). Exterior views are provided for 93% of the building’s regularly occupied spaces. Daylight improves the atmosphere of the library for patrons and staff, while reducing the need for artificial lighting and resulting operating expenses. In the Academic Building renovation project:

A construction indoor air quality management plan was followed during construction and before occupancy.

All adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings are low or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) emitting.

The carpets used meet the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus criteria and the adhesive used has a VOC level below 50 g/l. (see http://www.carpet-rug.org/commercial-customers/green-building-and-the-environment/green-label-plus/ )

A comprehensive green cleaning program is in place.

Reducing waste and the impacts of manufacturing and material transportation minimized the environmental impact of the construction of the Grace Hauenstein Library. During construction, 90% of the outer structure of the Jarecki/Lacks building being replaced and 85% of its interior elements were retained when the addition was built. Kalamazoo College donated the stack shelving and end panels in the library, decreasing furnishing costs by over 30% and further minimizing materials that would have been sent to disposal facilities.

Aquinas has a substantial ongoing waste reduction program. Cleaning chemicals are bought in bulk and in concentrated forms. All copy paper used on campus contains 100% post-consumer recycled content. Aquinas letterhead and business cards contain 30% post-consumer recycled content. All paper toweling used on campus contains 100% recycled content (40% post-consumer). A comprehensive, campus-wide recycling program is in place for plastics, batteries, paper waste, tin/aluminum, colored and clear glass containers, returnables (ex-soda bottles), ink cartridges, and electronic waste. Many college publications are largely available online, such as the student sustainability handbook, the campus newspaper, and the academic catalog. Nearly every department on campus also uses an online time tracking system, replacing paper time sheets.

Whenever possible, Aquinas' food service provider (Creative Dining Services), purchases local, seasonal foods. Of course, the selection can be fairly limited in Michigan, but it is a priority of the head chef. In the main cafeteria of the college, nearly everything used in food preparation and service is washed and reused (plates, silverware, cups, etc…). In the Corner Café (a "to-go" oriented establishment), most disposable products are made of bio-based materials. Creative Dining Services has also started a relatively successful program called "Trayless Tuesdays," at which all trays are removed from the cafeteria to reduce water use and food waste. A food-waste composting program was initiated in 2009.

Aquinas reduces transportation-related emissions through several innovations. Most on-campus transportation is facilitated by 12 modified (gasoline-powered) golf carts, used for carrying gear and personnel. Aquinas subsidizes a large chunk of Rapid bus fare (the Grand Rapids bus system) for staff, faculty, and students, reducing the cost from $1.50 per ride to $0.40 per ride. Significant secure bike parking is available all over campus and carpoolers have a choice of preferred parking spaces set aside for them near the entrances of several campus buildings.

Aquinas College is blessed to own a wooded campus with several water features in the midst of an urban area. Instructors regularly make use of the campus to teach particular lessons. Students are also encouraged to apply for work-study positions in departments such as grounds and physical plant to get involved in building projects on campus, such as the LEED rating process, help with new product decisions, etc. Students enrolled in biology, chemistry, and geography courses are often seen tromping around campus doing water testing, GPS navigation, biomimicry experiments, tree identification, and other similar activities, all of which help make Aquinas' sustainability initiatives real and relevant to students.

A Sustainability Initiative structure was designed by staff, students and faculty to promote the serious consideration of all ideas generated from Aquinas campus members and represents just one method for anyone to submit sustainability suggestions. Each of three assemblies (staff, student and faculty) has organized a sustainability committee of six members. A joint sustainability committee, with representatives from each of the three assemblies, facilitates the suggestion process. Any sustainability idea generated by the student, staff, faculty, or administrator can be submitted via an online submission form or in person at the Center for Sustainability. The Aquinas community is encouraged to utilize the Center for Sustainability and the Sustainable Business Working Partners (SBWP) as resources. The SBWP is composed of small groups of sustainable business students ready and eager to help students, faculty or staff develop sustainability ideas and initiatives.

Although Aquinas does not have a formalized program to help students make connections between the sustainable operation of the college and Catholic social teaching, a campus lecture was hosted on Catholic social teaching and sustainability and a course is being developed to addressing sustainability through a new Catholic Studies major. Several student groups on campus have undertaken concrete actions to address climate change through campus activities.

Aquinas helps the local civic community make the connection between the operation of the college, climate change, and Catholic social teaching through its Center for Sustainability, a web-based regional resource for sustainability. Center staff performed research on local green roof project for a west Michigan resident which is now available online. The Center regularly makes presentations at and offers guidance to local high schools and colleges. Aquinas sponsors events and programs in partnership with other organizations. For example, in April 2009 Aquinas worked with the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids to host a lecturer on "Climate Change: A Faith Perspective."