University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, Kansas
http://www.stmary.edu/

Contact
Mark Gieseman, Director of Facilities, University of Saint Mary, 4100 South 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048; giesemanm@stmary.edu; 913 758-6526

Saint Mary, in an effort to enhance water management, has developed, in partnership with Kansas State University and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, a rain garden filtration and retention area for stormwater runoff. Saint Mary also maintains a wooded area with two water retention ponds to manage stormwater runoff. The university is currently considering drilling wells to utilize ground water for sport field irrigation instead of using city water. Native plantings on landscaping surrounding a new residence hall is designed to minimize water runoff. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators are the norm in the new residence hall.

Increasing energy use efficiency is important at Saint Mary as they continue to retrofit light fixtures to energy efficient T8 florescent tubes and ballast. The new residence hall contains all double-pane, low-E windows and has minimized the use of incandescent lighting.

Saint Mary considers content of material for new construction and renovations. Regionally-sourced building products were used as much as possible for a new residence hall. New carpeting contains recycled content.

Indoor environmental quality is also being considered as only low-emitting paint was used in the new residence hall.

The stormwater runoff measures described above, also known as Project WaterLINK, provide experiential learning for students and are being studied by Leavenworth city government for possible application of similar measures in the city. Seminars on the project with presentations from students share research and learning with the broader civic community. See http://www.stmary.edu/news/archive/2007/041907_WaterLINKSeminar.pdf The Global Studies Institute also addresses related topics such as "Energy Choices and Environmental Challenges." Aspire Magazine, the primary resource for communicating with Saint Mary alumni, carries information about sustainability projects on campus.

In an effort to reduce waste Saint Mary recycles electronics, all paper, and metal. In addition, styrofoam containers are no longer used in the cafeteria and the use of lunch trays has been discontinued to reduce water consumption for cleaning and reduce food waste.