Georgian Court University – Lakewood, New Jersey
http://www.georgian.edu/

Contact
Andrew P. Christ, PE, Assistant Vice President for Operations, Georgian Court University, 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701; 732.987. 2416; christa@georgian.edu

Georgian Court University’s (GCU) President, Rosemary Jeffries, has signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). This document was signed as a testament to the commitment by Georgian Court University to minimizing its carbon footprint in the short term and working toward carbon neutrality in the future.

In GCU’s most recent construction project, the Wellness Center, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points were achieved for stormwater quality and quantity control, water efficient landscaping (50% reduction), and water use reduction (20% reduction).

GCU used energy modeling to incorporate energy efficiency in the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and lighting design in the Wellness Center achieving 7 points in LEED optimized energy performance credits. In addition, GCU has purchased
renewable energy certificates offsetting 100% of its campus-wide projected electrical consumption for fiscal year 2008/9.

GCU incorporated the use of recycled products and certified wood in the construction of the Wellness Center. LEED scoring is currently in review, but two points are expected for post and pre-consumer recycled content of construction material. In addition, two points are expected for use of regional materials and two points for certified sustainable wood. This includes an exemplary performance credit as 95% certified wood use was achieved in the facility.

The Wellness Center project was constructed to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver rating. GCU is projecting the project to achieve LEED Gold having incorporated aspects of indoor environmental quality in the early decision making process (i.e. acoustical performance, increased ventilation, low-emitting materials, daylight and views, thermal comfort, mold prevention). In addition, we will survey the occupants of the facility after approximately 1 year of occupancy to determine if any mitigation is required to enhance indoor air quality.

GCU has an exemplary recycling program and has achieved a recycling rate of approximately 40% of all waste generated by the campus. GCU has enhanced the participation of students, faculty, and staff by participating in the Recyclemania competition and becoming an EPA WasteWise partner.

GCU is limiting its transportation related emissions having recently purchased a hybrid vehicle for the use of the President of the university and migrating to electric carts for on campus vehicles. It plans to migrate to bio-diesel for diesel-powered vehicles during the summer of 2009. GCU has entered into an agreement with New Jersey Transit to provide students, faculty, and staff with discounts on monthly bus passes. It is partnering with Lakewood Township to create a jitney bus service to provide the Lakewood and GCU community with local bus service in town.

GCU has a designated committee to foster the care of the environment, health, and safety of the campus community. This is a cross community group, including faculty, students, and staff to provide feedback, ideas, and opportunities for improvements.