Home Climate Change Building Standards Communication Land Management Green Purchasing Campus Highlights Sustainability Metrics Sustainability Resources Steering Committee Forum Contact Us	Building Standards Allegheny College Bates College Bowdoin College Brown University Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University Harvard University Johns Hopkins University Keene State College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Princeton University Skidmore College Tufts University University of Connecticut University of New Hampshire University of Vermont Yale University Allegheny College Allegheny recently opened a three-building residential complex that will be LEED certified. The architects worked with students in a seminar that focused on sustainable development to explore the most cost-effective, environmentally sound options for the building project. This may become a model for future building projects. Bates College Bates is working with the Committee on Environmental Responsibility to redevelop its master plan to improve the campus and promote sustainability. This is a critical phase, as the college plans to update its campus over the next decade. New buildings will be constructed according to LEED Silver standards, which will be the new minimum standard for construction and renovation projects. All buildings will use energy saving measures such as double-glazed windows and low flush toilets. New parking lots will also promote sustainability with storm water filtration systems. Bowdoin College Bowdoin follows LEED guidelines for new campus buildings, renovations and demolitions. It emphasizes water efficiency, energy conservation, indoor air quality, use of sustainable and recycled materials, and sustainable sites. In addition, Bowdoin recycles over 90% of demolition waste from various projects. Brown University Brown has reduced energy consumption to 30% below code requirements by energy modeling and installing high efficiency equipment. New construction must meet LEED Silver standard requirements. Brown has also constructed several buildings that feature their green design. In addition, students are conducting a project to analyze energy and resource conservation opportunities within existing structures and for the new International Studies department building. Columbia University The U.S. Green Building Council has chosen Columbia University's expansion plan for a "smart growth" pilot program. As part of this program it commits to incorporating smart growth, new urbanism, and green building design principles. Under this plan, Columbia will have an intercampus shuttle bus service, fume hood upgrades, heating and cooling management systems, energy-saving lighting and lighting sensors, energy audits, and ENERGY STAR appliances. Connecticut College Connecticut College seeks to maintain its position as a model for environmental stewardship and a resource for environmental education in its building and renovation projects. When it is practical, the college seeks to earn LEED certification, use green building materials, green cleaning products, energy efficient systems, and water conserving systems. In applying this policy, the college will form a green team to oversee new building construction and renovation projects. The Environmental Model Committee will oversee this process as well, with life-cycle analyses, payback analyses, and cost benefit analyses; these long-term investigations will help to assess the need for renovation to improve energy efficiency. Cornell University When constructing new facilities, Cornell considers the site of the building, the orientation, energy system, building materials, construction practices, and commissioning. In addition, it is having several buildings approved by the LEED certification system. Harvard University Harvard is renovating buildings with an eye on energy and resource efficiency and building performance. The Harvard Green Campus Initiative provides high performance building services, including building system assessments, envelop analyses, occupant comfort assessments, building project identifications, evaluations of project costs and funding options, project management, staff training and occupant education. This comprehensive program seeks to deliver environmental and human health improvements. Johns Hopkins University The Johns Hopkins University incorporates green building features in its new construction and renovation efforts, with special attention to measures that improve its energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and work environment (such as increasing natural daylighting and reducing VOCs). From an energy perspective, the University typically designs for high efficiency in new construction and renovations. The University is currently pursuing LEED certification for several new and existing buildings, and typically considers the feasibility of LEED NC or EB programs for all new projects that involve upgrades of existing buildings or new construction. For minor renovations, the University looks towards LEED principals as guideposts for moving forward. Keene State College Keene uses a campus designed Sustainable Building Standard guideline. The Guidelines are part of the RFP process (where appropriate) and will be one of the criteria used to award contracts. Massachusetts Institute of Technology In 2000, MIT convened the Green Building Task Force, a highly collaborative body. The steering committee brings together employees from facilities, the environmental health and safety office, and faculty members. The Green Building Task Force oversaw the development of goals in the Department of Facilities' Building Systems Design Handbook, and established ten key environmental priorities. It also proposed that MIT adopt a proactive stance toward ongoing construction on campus. All new projects are to meet or exceed the LEED Silver Plus standard, as an interim standard, which may be further modified to meet MIT's long-term goals. The Green Building Task Force plans to develop a performance-based standard that can be tailored to individual projects. Princeton University Princeton has established Sustainable Building Guidelines that require environmental and energy performance exceeding the basic LEED certification. In addition, Princeton currently requires that new and renovated buildings use at least 30% less energy than code would require. Each new building project features green design tailored to the use and location of the project, with features such as reuse systems, photovoltaic panels, low-flow water fixtures, daylight lighting, lighting sensors, green roofs, rainwater collection and reuse systems, geothermal heating and cooling. Skidmore College Skidmore is planning several green construction projects, notably the North Woods Apartments, which will be heated and cooled with geothermal energy. A NYSERDA green energy rebate will cover the majority of the marginal cost, and the remainder will be paid back in fuel savings within a few years. Tufts University Tufts works to plan and implement energy-efficient strategies in all new and existing buildings. It is following upgrade projects with both short-tern to and longer-term payback periods, to enable the University to make more comprehensive upgrades. University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut seeks to construct, renovate and maintain buildings that have lowered operating costs, provide healthier environments, are more ideal for learning, and promote environmental stewardship. For any project of more than $5 million, the building shall be designed to achieve a minimum of Silver LEED certification. For this protocol to be violated, the University's Board of Trustees must formally conclude that the costs greatly outweigh the benefits. University of New Hampshire UNH has committed to being as sustainable as is feasible in its construction and renovation of buildings, by committing to having all new campus construction and major renovation projects achieve LEED Silver standards or equivalent; this policy will be applicable to all new projects initiated after UNH design and construction building standards have been modified in 2008. In addition, UNH goes beyond this to target high impact intervention opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity impacts, and maintain cultural continuity. It has conducted an acclaimed on-going energy efficiency program for more than 30 years and in 2006 was the first institution of higher education to receive ENERGY STAR ratings for residence halls, and now has eight such buildings. University of Vermont UVM will seek a minimum of LEED Silver certification for new buildings and major renovations. Six LEED Silver certified buildings are currently under construction. Yale University Yale is prioritizing energy efficiency in its renovations, and has constructed several new LEED certified buildings. In addition, those working on the construction of a new LEED building that is seeking Platinum certification are offering a series of informational presentations to students interested in sustainable design. Yale has established a committee on Sustainable Building Design to consider new building procedures.
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