Loyola Marymount University – Los Angeles, California
http://www.lmu.edu/

Contact:
Michael G. Lotito, Director of Plant Operations, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045; 310.568.6670; mlotito@lmu.edu ; www.lmu.edu/green

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. It has committed to designing all new construction and major building renovations to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)Silver standards. LMU has two LEED certified dormitories (one LEED, one LEED Silver) and a new Library (completed June 2009) LEED Silver.

Water use efficiency is a priority at this southern California university. Drought resistant plantings are used in at least 50% of its non-sports turf landscaping. Recycled water is used for irrigation on 60% of the campus. The campus standard for new construction and renovation is ultra low flow urinals and water closets. All top load washing machines on campus have been replaced with front load models.

To increase energy use efficiency LMU has installed direct digital controls (DDC) on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and has integrated this into campus the energy management system. LMU has an on-site 725kw photovoltaic system that produces approximately 6% of its annual electricity needs. LMU also offsets an additional 6% of its electrical power through the purchase of Green-E certified renewable energy credits.

The content and source of the material used in new construction is considered. New materials containing recycled content comprise 10% of the construction cost of its new library. Ten percent of new materials are extracted, processed, and manufactured locally.

An indoor air quality management plan is used during new construction and renovation before occupancy. Low emitting materials are used. LMU designs for indoor pollutant source control. Thermal comfort design meets or exceeds the standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

The groundwork for LMU’s environmental, human health, and stewardship initiatives is developed by its Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Committee which is comprised of students, faculty and staff.

Throughout the curriculum and beyond the classroom, LMU students and faculty are at the forefront of education and research on sustainability issues. A new Environmental Studies Minor is undergoing the final phase of approval by the Academic Review and Planning Committee. An Associate Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree was initiated within the Department of Natural Science, College of Science and Engineering, in 2005 and an undergraduate Environmental Engineering emphasis within the Civil Engineering majors has been in place for 10 years. An M.S. Degree in Civil Engineering and Environmental Science can also be earned. Within these academic degrees special projects bring sustainability to life for students. For example, 18 LMU senior mechanical engineering students participated in an international competition that challenged students to create vehicles that will travel the farthest distance with the least amount of fuel. And in 2008, a group of LMU MBA students traveled throughout South America as part of a year-long course researching sustainable banking to learn how South American bankers incorporate social and environmental criteria into their large-scale project financing decisions. Finally in 2006, the annual Bellarmine Forum focused on environmental responsibility, examining such issues as environmental injustice, environmental economics, Catholic teaching on the environment, environmental ethics, nature and spirituality, green design, cultural ecology, and the green city.

In an effort to reduce waste, LMU recycled over 75% of the waste material generated in the construction of its new library. LMU has installed tap water filters to reduce the use of bottled water on campus. Standard ATM machines have been converted to no longer use paper deposit envelopes. And, office paper now contains 30% post-consumer fiber content.

LMU’s food service is also "greening." Its main cafeteria went to tray-less service in fall 2008 and local, seasonal foods are purchased when available. LMU’s farmer’s market is the only certified on-campus farmer's market in the western United States.

LMU reduces transportation-related emissions by replacing retired gas service carts with electric service carts. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to use mass transit. A Flexible Spending Account for mass transit commuters is planned for fall 2009.