Introduction The Growth Agenda New Mission Advancement Building the Campus Institutional News Sustainability,         Environmental Awareness Weidner Center Phuture Phoenix Diversity International Education Outreach, Community Service Lectures, Cultural Enrichment Intercollegiate Athletics Faculty/Staff Students Transition		Annual Report to the campus, community, and UW System | December 2007 The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Bruce Shepard, Chancellor Sustainability, Environmental Awareness A return to campus roots with planning, conservation, leadership UW-Green Bay took major steps during the 2006-07 academic year to renew and further highlight the University’s longstanding commitment to environmental awareness, to pursue leadership on a variety of sustainability-related issues, and to incorporate the concept of sustainability as central to campus planning and decision-making.       Once labeled “Eco U” in the national press for its 1970s-era launch as one of America’s first universities with a significant commitment to environmentalism, UW-Green Bay was able to re-connect with that history. A highlight came in September 2006 when Gov. Jim Doyle visited to announce that UW-Green Bay is one of four UW System campuses selected for a pilot program to make the campuses energy independent within the next five years. The campuses — Oshkosh, River Falls and Stevens Point are the others — will work with the state Department of Administration’s Division of State Facilities to identify and implement technologies to move the campuses toward energy independence. By late 2007, work was under way at UW-Green Bay to pilot new energy-saving strategies including the use of biofuel for campus heating needs. Highlights New boilers… And employees trading comfort to save dollars The first high-efficiency “fully modulating” boilers in the UW System were installed on the UW-Green Bay campus, and employees were asked to take personal responsibility to further lower heating and electrical costs. It meant more careful attention to shutting off lights and computers, giving up space heaters even in drafty offices, and adjusting campus thermostats to heat settings of 68 degrees. Campus administration also considered the consolidation of evening and weekend program activities in as few buildings as possible, where possible, in the name of cost savings. Widely publicized across the institution in fall 2006 was the campus goal of a 5 percent reduction in electricity use during the fiscal year. Mid-FY 07 report: Campus energy use cools off nicely At the close of calendar year 2006, Facilities Management and Planning was able to document substantial summer energy savings in 2006. There was a 17% reduction in electrical power and approximately $82,000 in savings, and 34% reduction in natural gas consumption, approximately $85,000 in savings. Weather (as always) was one factor, but primary reasons included diligence in mandated thermostat settings, new pre-cooling strategies for off-peak hours and the new high-efficiency boilers. UW-Green Bay signs pledge to address impact of global warming At year’s end 2006, UW-Green Bay pledged to take a progressive stance in addressing the critical issue of global warming. Chancellor Bruce Shepard signed on to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, a pledge to develop a long-range plan to reduce and ultimately neutralize greenhouse gas emissions on the campus. The pledge also commits institutions to educating the next generation on the competitive payoff for a proactive approach. Another action directed by The Presidents Climate Commitment is adherence to the use of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver standards in all new campus construction. UW-Green Bay was already using the LEED standards in the newest campus construction projects: the Kress Events Center and expansion of the University Union.   top of page    |     continued . . .
Office of the Chancellor, David A. Cofrin Library, Suite 810 University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI  54311-7001 920-465-2207 | E-mail: Chancellor's Web Manager Rev. February 7, 2008