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In
addition, your University has practiced approaches to sustainability through
energy conservation and the use of renewable energy at Mary Ann Cofrin Hall
and restoration and conservation work throughout the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum.
Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, our showcase academic building, has received state
and national recognition for sustainable-design features including photovoltaic
windows (above). But we cannot rest on our laurels. So I’d like to share with you some exciting actions we have taken recently and will soon be pursuing as we strengthen our commitment to sustainability across campus. • Shortly after we adopted the new Master Plan, I acted on one of its recommendations by appointing a permanent Campus Sustainability Committee. Under the able leadership of Assistant Chancellor Dean Rodeheaver, this committee is working to address a wide range of campus issues related to minimizing the impacts of the University’s actions on the environment. I would like to thank the committee’s members for their commitment and leadership. The members are Rodeheaver, students Crystal Osman and Josh Kaurich, professors Mike Kraft, John Katers and Regan Gurung, Facilities Director Chris Hatfield, Institutional Support Director Mike Barry, and community representatives Paul Linzmeyer of Bay Towel and Chip Bircher of Wisconsin Public Service. • Many of you may recall the excitement created last fall when our campus had the privilege of hosting Gov. Doyle for a major announcement. The governor designated UW-Green Bay as one of four UW System campuses to take part in a pilot program to make the campuses energy independent within five years. Campuses at Oshkosh, River Falls and Stevens Point also will participate. UW-Green Bay will work with the Division of State Facilities and Wisconsin Public Service to identify and implement technologies to move the campus toward energy self-sufficiency. It was only appropriate that UW-Green Bay was among the campuses selected for the program. A university with such a proud past on issues of energy conservation and sustainability should help move the state into a sustainable, responsible future. • The latest example of our dedication to sustainability came a few weeks ago when I signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. This is a pledge to develop a long-range plan to reduce and ultimately neutralize greenhouse gas emissions on the campus. The hope is to have at least 200 college and university presidents as charter signatories at a summit meeting in June. |
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The
pledge also commits us to doing something I already consider a strength
at UW-Green Bay: educating the next generation of leaders and professionals
in the areas of energy conservation and environmental awareness. Without getting too technical, let me touch on one other component of the Presidents Climate Commitment. The pledge commits us to the use of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver standards in all new campus construction. We already are using the LEED standards in the newest campus construction projects, including the Kress Events Center and expansion of the University Union. And we are delighted that the Division of State Facilities, at the direction of Gov. Doyle, will require similar standards for all new state buildings. And speaking of the Union, campus dining services provider Sodexho this week began using biodegradable dinnerware at the Union and other dining facilities on campus. That’s another small, but important step toward a sustainable campus. There is so much more we can and will do to make UW-Green Bay a national leader in sustainability planning. The Sustainability Committee will continue to provide leadership for the campus. Watch for postings across campus for monthly meetings of the committee. The committee’s meetings are open to the campus community. Each of us can contribute, too. To learn more about how you can assist in our energy-saving efforts, go online at www.uwgb.edu/facilities/conserve/index.htm. You will see that we’re talking about simple, common-sense measures such as shutting off computer equipment at the end of each day and turning off excess lighting when not in use. The Web site also provides campus conservation updates. As you know, UW-Green Bay has a long and proud history of commitment to energy efficiency and environmental awareness. We will continue to build on that history and provide leadership for our community, state and nation. Thanks to all of you for your support, and for helping Green Bay’s University of Wisconsin in connecting learning to life.  Bruce Shepard |
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